6
by existing traditional approaches on a disaggregated basis, such as independent
analysis regarding individual issues in individual regions and partial optimization
analysis.
Sustainability science is still on the way to be mature in Europe, the United
States and Japan. However, a common feature of sustainability science in academia
is that the transboundary/transdisciplinary approach should be applied to resolve the
issues that have multitiered and complex features by taking hold of those relationships
(Komiyama and Takeuchi 2006; Clark and Dickson 2003; Kates et al. 2001; Lele
1991). In addition, resolving global agendas by applying sustainability science
includes coordinating the related stakeholders.
While research results for the effects of biofuels on the environment from the
natural science view have accumulated gradually, there is still room for biofuels
research to be analysed. It should be considered to consolidate not only existing
scientific results regarding biofuels but also new scientific knowledge to policymakers and stakeholders as scientific evidence. Biofuel utilization should be considered
a trilemma of global warming, energy security and food security, promoting agriculture in other words. Moreover, biofuel utilization is seen as one of the factors of
acute food price increases. It is imperative to coordinate among international institutions, policymakers across nations and other stakeholders to establish a sustainable biofuel development strategy based on an adaptation/mitigation strategy from
various scientific knowledge for biofuel utilization. Applying the concept of sustainability science allows us to build that strategy. Meanwhile, applying sustainability science to establish a sustainable biofuel development strategy may contribute to
an increasing global stream of building sustainability science.
1.5 Objectives
As discussed, biofuel utilization has a complex background and has broad impacts
on many fields and sectors, such as the environment, economics and society.
Therefore, a sustainable biofuel development strategy that may contribute to sustainable society is only possible by analysing the complex features of biofuels in a
comprehensive manner. It is necessary to integrate the findings from the analysis of
social sciences and natural sciences.
The objectives of this book develop a development strategy for biofuels at the
multi-scale, national, regional and worldwide levels through integrating analysis by
social sciences and natural sciences based on a sustainability science approach. As
mentioned in other chapters, the feature of sustainability science is that various
research results and various researchers from many academic fields are joined in a
transboundary/transdisciplinary way to solve global agendas. Therefore, sustainability science is better suited for analysing biofuels that have a wide-ranging impact
and establishing a sustainable development strategy.
H. Matsuda and K. Takeuchi
by existing traditional approaches on a disaggregated basis, such as independent
analysis regarding individual issues in individual regions and partial optimization
analysis.
Sustainability science is still on the way to be mature in Europe, the United
States and Japan. However, a common feature of sustainability science in academia
is that the transboundary/transdisciplinary approach should be applied to resolve the
issues that have multitiered and complex features by taking hold of those relationships
(Komiyama and Takeuchi 2006; Clark and Dickson 2003; Kates et al. 2001; Lele
1991). In addition, resolving global agendas by applying sustainability science
includes coordinating the related stakeholders.
While research results for the effects of biofuels on the environment from the
natural science view have accumulated gradually, there is still room for biofuels
research to be analysed. It should be considered to consolidate not only existing
scientific results regarding biofuels but also new scientific knowledge to policymakers and stakeholders as scientific evidence. Biofuel utilization should be considered
a trilemma of global warming, energy security and food security, promoting agriculture in other words. Moreover, biofuel utilization is seen as one of the factors of
acute food price increases. It is imperative to coordinate among international institutions, policymakers across nations and other stakeholders to establish a sustainable biofuel development strategy based on an adaptation/mitigation strategy from
various scientific knowledge for biofuel utilization. Applying the concept of sustainability science allows us to build that strategy. Meanwhile, applying sustainability science to establish a sustainable biofuel development strategy may contribute to
an increasing global stream of building sustainability science.
1.5 Objectives
As discussed, biofuel utilization has a complex background and has broad impacts
on many fields and sectors, such as the environment, economics and society.
Therefore, a sustainable biofuel development strategy that may contribute to sustainable society is only possible by analysing the complex features of biofuels in a
comprehensive manner. It is necessary to integrate the findings from the analysis of
social sciences and natural sciences.
The objectives of this book develop a development strategy for biofuels at the
multi-scale, national, regional and worldwide levels through integrating analysis by
social sciences and natural sciences based on a sustainability science approach. As
mentioned in other chapters, the feature of sustainability science is that various
research results and various researchers from many academic fields are joined in a
transboundary/transdisciplinary way to solve global agendas. Therefore, sustainability science is better suited for analysing biofuels that have a wide-ranging impact
and establishing a sustainable development strategy.
H. Matsuda and K. Takeuchi