greatest beneficiary of these actions. The USA will not be less likely to abandon this
international order such as the climate framework convention.
22.3 Policy Science Approach to Realize a Low-Carbon
Society Across a Wide Area
The realization of a low-carbon society will combat global warming and create a
sustainable and vibrant society in which the economy, the environment, and society
are in harmony. Technological measures to achieve a low-carbon society include
promoting the conversion to renewable energy and carbon fixation, while reducing
energy consumption. Novel institutional designs such as carbon neutrality, carbon
offsetting, and carbon footprints are also becoming established as social measures.
This book examines the potentials for a regional, low-carbon community based
on urban-rural cooperation, and the East Asian low-carbon community based on
cross-border international cooperation in order to create a wide-area, low-carbon
society (Zhou and Nakagami 2009). Policy science provides a comprehensive
approach to addressing these issues and is a flexible discipline with the ability to
cross extant disciplines. It aims develop a deeper understanding of society and use
such an understanding to instigate change while maintaining deep connections with
the real world.
22.3.1 Policy Science Issues for Realizing a Wide-Area,
Low-Carbon Society
The policy science approach is characterized by three major features: (1) a comprehensive response to the situation of the times, (2) an interdisciplinary research area,
and (3) a problem-solving orientation. This section describes the characteristics
considered necessary to realize a regional low-carbon society based on the three
features:
1. A shared understanding of the concept of a wide-area, low-carbon society: it is
necessary to foster a shared understanding of the concept and goals of the term
“low-carbon society” as well as increase awareness regarding the significance of
this terms among the community.
2. International significance and responsibility to achieve a wide-area, low-carbon
society: it is necessary to clarify the benefits and obligations of countries involved
in achieving a wide-area, low-carbon society, as well as to share awareness of the
international significance and responsibilities of common efforts.
3. Designing international and social institutions for realization of common goals: it
is necessary to establish treaties and national legal systems as the basis for
institutional design.
22 Integration of Local and Global Perspectives
411
international order such as the climate framework convention.
22.3 Policy Science Approach to Realize a Low-Carbon
Society Across a Wide Area
The realization of a low-carbon society will combat global warming and create a
sustainable and vibrant society in which the economy, the environment, and society
are in harmony. Technological measures to achieve a low-carbon society include
promoting the conversion to renewable energy and carbon fixation, while reducing
energy consumption. Novel institutional designs such as carbon neutrality, carbon
offsetting, and carbon footprints are also becoming established as social measures.
This book examines the potentials for a regional, low-carbon community based
on urban-rural cooperation, and the East Asian low-carbon community based on
cross-border international cooperation in order to create a wide-area, low-carbon
society (Zhou and Nakagami 2009). Policy science provides a comprehensive
approach to addressing these issues and is a flexible discipline with the ability to
cross extant disciplines. It aims develop a deeper understanding of society and use
such an understanding to instigate change while maintaining deep connections with
the real world.
22.3.1 Policy Science Issues for Realizing a Wide-Area,
Low-Carbon Society
The policy science approach is characterized by three major features: (1) a comprehensive response to the situation of the times, (2) an interdisciplinary research area,
and (3) a problem-solving orientation. This section describes the characteristics
considered necessary to realize a regional low-carbon society based on the three
features:
1. A shared understanding of the concept of a wide-area, low-carbon society: it is
necessary to foster a shared understanding of the concept and goals of the term
“low-carbon society” as well as increase awareness regarding the significance of
this terms among the community.
2. International significance and responsibility to achieve a wide-area, low-carbon
society: it is necessary to clarify the benefits and obligations of countries involved
in achieving a wide-area, low-carbon society, as well as to share awareness of the
international significance and responsibilities of common efforts.
3. Designing international and social institutions for realization of common goals: it
is necessary to establish treaties and national legal systems as the basis for
institutional design.
22 Integration of Local and Global Perspectives
411