Waseda Brussels’ 6th Annual Conference provided key insights into EU-Japan initiatives on carbon pricing, sustainable finance, and the transition to the Net-zero economy.

As they move to the Net-Zero economy, with the recently signed Green Alliance, Japan, and the EU have developed a broad range of responses to the climate emergency - including regulation, technological innovations, and most importantly, financial tools and market-based mechanisms. 

In this context, the 6th annual high-level conference Environmental Studies for Carbon Neutrality organised by Waseda University Brussels presented the state of play in policy developments and economic research on carbon pricing, CBAM, sustainable finance, and the role of research. Two dozen leading international experts, researchers, government officials, and industry representatives from Europe and Japan shared insights and exchanged views on key issues including:

• How do carbon pricing, carbon taxes, and emission trading schemes work internationally?
• What is the EU’s new initiative Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism?
• What are its impacts, international consequences – and implementation challenges?
• How can sustainable finance mechanisms support innovation and green technologies?
• Which innovative market-based initiatives are currently developed in the EU and Japan?
• What is the role of green bonds, green loans and ‘citizen finance’?
• How can universities and research organizations directly contribute to the transition to a Net-zero economy?

The programme included: 

• Interventions by H.E. Kazutoshi Aikawa, Ambassador of the Mission of Japan to the EU and H.E. Jean-Eric Paquet, Ambassador of the EU to Japan; and by Prof. Masahiko Gemma, Waseda University Executive V-P, and Prof. Anne Weyembergh, ULB Vice-Rector 
• 2 keynotes by Prof. Ottmar Edenhofer, Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, and Prof. Bernard Siman, VUB Diplomatic Academy and Egmont Institute 
• 18 expert presentations in three-panel sessions on Carbon Pricing and CBAM - Rationale and implementation challenges; Transition to the Green Economy; Sustainability: Which role for universities?

With 80 in-person participants, in addition to an audience online, this 6th Annual WBO conference confirmed the key role of Waseda University Brussels Office in fostering high-level policy dialogue and joint research projects between the EU and Japan.

Source: Waseda University Brussels Office