(b) Flexibility
The issue of global warming is caused by the survival of humankind itself and is
the most significant and fundamental problem for humankind. However, the issues
that human society faces are diverse, including short-term and long-term, local and
global, and socioeconomic environments, and are not limited to global warming
issues. The 1997 Kyoto Protocol imposes numerical targets that are legally binding
and, at the same time, introduced flexible mechanisms such as emissions trading and
CDM (Clean Development Mechanism). It can be said that the first step toward
measures to deal with the uncertainty of climate change issues has been started.
Therefore, at the same time as reducing CO 2 emissions, various methods and
policies are needed for the sustainable development of human society in different
social contexts. Moreover, a social system that can incorporate innovation flexibly,
and policy design that can integrate economic system and technical system is
required. To realize the Paris Agreement target, it is necessary to strengthen the
synergy effect of the economy, environment, and society more efficiently through
the cooperation of multiple countries. It was considered policy flexibility to address
the uncertainty of the problem.
Under the abovementioned multiple uncertainties, we are trying to make policy
choices that significantly affect the future of humankind. The policy must be phased
in response to advances in scientific knowledge while maintaining the flexibility to
deal with uncertainty. The best mix of principle and flexibility is the basic concept
advocating the “East Asian Low Carbon Community” concept described in Chap. 3.
1.6 Low Carbon Society and Global Sustainability
1.6.1 Prerequisites for a Sustainable Human Society
The concept of sustainability is considered to have been formed with the birth,
evolution, and development of human society. Forestry (maximum allowable cut)
and fisheries (maximum sustainable yield) are the oldest ecological categories.
Alternatively, the “theory that man is an integral part of nature” and “the way
from what is beneath abstraction” have been used as an oriental philosophy that
human beings and wildlife must ultimately obey the laws of nature (Zhou 2013).
The idea of sustainability has received worldwide attention in all fields since the
publication of the “Our Common Future” report by the United Nations World
Commission on Environment and Development in 1987. In this study, the concept
of sustainable development was strongly emphasized; this is a development that
meets the needs of the present generation without compromising the needs of future
generations.
The minimum requirements for a sustainable human society are in line with the
three Herman Daly principles (Herman 1990):
1 Climate Change and Low-Carbon Society: Coping with Uncertainty
31
The issue of global warming is caused by the survival of humankind itself and is
the most significant and fundamental problem for humankind. However, the issues
that human society faces are diverse, including short-term and long-term, local and
global, and socioeconomic environments, and are not limited to global warming
issues. The 1997 Kyoto Protocol imposes numerical targets that are legally binding
and, at the same time, introduced flexible mechanisms such as emissions trading and
CDM (Clean Development Mechanism). It can be said that the first step toward
measures to deal with the uncertainty of climate change issues has been started.
Therefore, at the same time as reducing CO 2 emissions, various methods and
policies are needed for the sustainable development of human society in different
social contexts. Moreover, a social system that can incorporate innovation flexibly,
and policy design that can integrate economic system and technical system is
required. To realize the Paris Agreement target, it is necessary to strengthen the
synergy effect of the economy, environment, and society more efficiently through
the cooperation of multiple countries. It was considered policy flexibility to address
the uncertainty of the problem.
Under the abovementioned multiple uncertainties, we are trying to make policy
choices that significantly affect the future of humankind. The policy must be phased
in response to advances in scientific knowledge while maintaining the flexibility to
deal with uncertainty. The best mix of principle and flexibility is the basic concept
advocating the “East Asian Low Carbon Community” concept described in Chap. 3.
1.6 Low Carbon Society and Global Sustainability
1.6.1 Prerequisites for a Sustainable Human Society
The concept of sustainability is considered to have been formed with the birth,
evolution, and development of human society. Forestry (maximum allowable cut)
and fisheries (maximum sustainable yield) are the oldest ecological categories.
Alternatively, the “theory that man is an integral part of nature” and “the way
from what is beneath abstraction” have been used as an oriental philosophy that
human beings and wildlife must ultimately obey the laws of nature (Zhou 2013).
The idea of sustainability has received worldwide attention in all fields since the
publication of the “Our Common Future” report by the United Nations World
Commission on Environment and Development in 1987. In this study, the concept
of sustainable development was strongly emphasized; this is a development that
meets the needs of the present generation without compromising the needs of future
generations.
The minimum requirements for a sustainable human society are in line with the
three Herman Daly principles (Herman 1990):
1 Climate Change and Low-Carbon Society: Coping with Uncertainty
31