The pathway to a sustainable industrial society – initiative of the Research Institute for Sustainability Science (RISS) at Osaka University

Abstract

While it is widely known that sustainable development is the only sound and viable pathway for humankind's future, its attainment remains elusive despite intensive efforts and some successes. The current industrial society approach based on product and process innovation in a variety of fields is not providing the expected results in addressing this important issue. In an attempt to carry out this unavoidable task, Osaka University's Research Institute for Sustainability Science (RISS) introduces an integral and dynamic innovation system where technology plays a key role in fulfilling societal functions. This innovation system adopts a highly solution-driven approach that makes use of backcasting techniques based on long-term visions and mid-term strategic goals. Since technology management is the key to propelling effective innovation towards sustainability, we propose a technology transition management through the interaction of technology push, demand pull and institutional design, along with eight transition principles. RISS will develop this innovation system based on these three components and through the design of dynamic scenarios and their roadmaps.

Research core and framework of sustainability science

“…Synthesis to design and provide solutions involves difficulties unlike those found in analysis. Morioka et al (2006) discussed the necessity of a dynamic innovation system for sustainable development that adopts a highly solution-driven approach using backcasting techniques based on long-term visions and mid-term strategic goals. Perrings (2007) stated that the principal challenge in sustainability science is the development of predictive models of system change that enable society to evaluate mitigation options alongside adaptation.…”

“…Here, the approach of transition management may prove useful (Kemp and Martens 2007). While the forecast approach starts with the current situation, identifies paths into the future, and chooses one path for a scenario, the backcast approach starts with the current situation and a desirable future state based on defined parameters, then deduces possible future paths (Morioka et al 2006). In backcasting, drivers changing trends are subjective, based on our will, not objective plausible scenarios.…”

Toward knowledge structuring of sustainability science based on ontology engineering

“…For Layer 0, we collected a comprehensive sample of literature and databases available on the Web. This work was conducted in parallel with the activities of the Research Institute for Sustainability Science (RISS) at Osaka University (Morioka et al 2006) to develop a meta-database of SS, a conceptual map on the resource-circulating society, and educational contents of a core module for SS, under the name ''Valuation Methods and Technical Aspects in Sustainability.'' As a prototype tool at Layer 1, we constructed a trial SS ontology.…”

Evaluation of Integrated Air Pollution and Climate Change Policies: Case Study in the Thermal Power Sector in Chongqing City, China

“…Notably, the proposed regulations could help leapfrog coal-based power technologies from subcritical to IGCC. At the same time, the adoption of NGCC technology can greatly contribute to the mitigation of air pollution and help China diversify its power source structure, rescuing China from an unsustainable "lock in coal power" [54] and help the country move towards multi-resource power. NGCC technology will be popular in the coming years because of its clean energy source: natural gas and shale gas.…”