countermeasures that are able to concurrently resolve domestic poverty, pollution,
and global environmental problems. These are also essential conditions required to
establish a sustainable human society.
The emission and emissions reduction of carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) (GHG) anywhere
on the planet have almost the same effect on global warming. Carbon dioxide
mitigation measures always lead to additional benefits, such as improved environmental quality. We believe that establishing a cross-border, wide-area, low-carbon
society is possible and is able to aid in the realization of global sustainability and the
sustainable development of developing nations. This realization requires the development and transfer of innovative, low-carbon technologies, the creation of the
low-carbon economic and industrial systems, and the transformation to low-carbon
social systems through changes to lifestyles and the eco-design of energy and
materials cycles based on international cooperation.
If the energy consumption per unit of gross domestic product (GDP) and carbon
dioxide emissions per unit of GDP in Southeast Asia, South Asia, Central Asia, the
Middle East, and countries of the former Soviet Union, other than Central and
Eastern Europe, reach the current annual levels in Japan, then a 60–70% reduction
in annual energy consumption and carbon dioxide emissions is possible. Japan has
the technological edge, while China boasts a market advantage. The two countries
are complementary to each other in terms of capital, technology, labor and engineering, procurement, and construction. China is rapidly advancing on the technological front and surpassing Japan in some fields. Their cooperation will benefit them
and third-party countries, representing a step forward toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations.
Therefore, the establishment of a wide-area, low-carbon society is expected to
create a society full of vitality through the harmonious development of economy,
environment, and society. A community is the union of people sharing common
interests and goals. Global warming is a critical issue for a global community that
shares the common interests and goals of humankind from climate mitigation and
adaptation, and reductions to environmental impact and damage. The urgency of
climate change, necessity of realizing a low-carbon society, and the add-on benefits
of carbon dioxide countermeasures highlight the importance of building a regional,
low-carbon community that transcends national borders. This may be achieved by
any mechanisms such as financing, technology transfer, and capacity building. In
this book, we introduce research on the East Asian Low-Carbon Community Concept and its Realization focusing on Japan, China, and Korea. This is discussed
primarily from the nexus of three key systems: science and engineering, economic
and industrial, and wide-area social systems. The research discussed is largely based
on theoretical and empirical studies.
The Chinese philosopher Confucius said, “If those who are near get pleased,
those who are far away will be attracted to come.” The realization of the East Asian
Low-Carbon Community concept is impossible without establishing relationships of
mutual trust between countries and regions. Without learning and creating history, it
is difficult to build a low-carbon society at the local scale. There are many issues that
need to be addressed in the future, including economic development (overcoming
vi
Preface
and global environmental problems. These are also essential conditions required to
establish a sustainable human society.
The emission and emissions reduction of carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) (GHG) anywhere
on the planet have almost the same effect on global warming. Carbon dioxide
mitigation measures always lead to additional benefits, such as improved environmental quality. We believe that establishing a cross-border, wide-area, low-carbon
society is possible and is able to aid in the realization of global sustainability and the
sustainable development of developing nations. This realization requires the development and transfer of innovative, low-carbon technologies, the creation of the
low-carbon economic and industrial systems, and the transformation to low-carbon
social systems through changes to lifestyles and the eco-design of energy and
materials cycles based on international cooperation.
If the energy consumption per unit of gross domestic product (GDP) and carbon
dioxide emissions per unit of GDP in Southeast Asia, South Asia, Central Asia, the
Middle East, and countries of the former Soviet Union, other than Central and
Eastern Europe, reach the current annual levels in Japan, then a 60–70% reduction
in annual energy consumption and carbon dioxide emissions is possible. Japan has
the technological edge, while China boasts a market advantage. The two countries
are complementary to each other in terms of capital, technology, labor and engineering, procurement, and construction. China is rapidly advancing on the technological front and surpassing Japan in some fields. Their cooperation will benefit them
and third-party countries, representing a step forward toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations.
Therefore, the establishment of a wide-area, low-carbon society is expected to
create a society full of vitality through the harmonious development of economy,
environment, and society. A community is the union of people sharing common
interests and goals. Global warming is a critical issue for a global community that
shares the common interests and goals of humankind from climate mitigation and
adaptation, and reductions to environmental impact and damage. The urgency of
climate change, necessity of realizing a low-carbon society, and the add-on benefits
of carbon dioxide countermeasures highlight the importance of building a regional,
low-carbon community that transcends national borders. This may be achieved by
any mechanisms such as financing, technology transfer, and capacity building. In
this book, we introduce research on the East Asian Low-Carbon Community Concept and its Realization focusing on Japan, China, and Korea. This is discussed
primarily from the nexus of three key systems: science and engineering, economic
and industrial, and wide-area social systems. The research discussed is largely based
on theoretical and empirical studies.
The Chinese philosopher Confucius said, “If those who are near get pleased,
those who are far away will be attracted to come.” The realization of the East Asian
Low-Carbon Community concept is impossible without establishing relationships of
mutual trust between countries and regions. Without learning and creating history, it
is difficult to build a low-carbon society at the local scale. There are many issues that
need to be addressed in the future, including economic development (overcoming
vi
Preface