Kanako Morita: Transforming Social Systems

2024/12/16

I have been working on issues of climate change and biodiversity, particularly through involvement in United Nations policy and scientific processes. Compared to 20 years ago when I began researching this field, I feel that interest in climate change and biodiversity issues within the private sector has grown significantly. On the other hand, global environmental problems such as climate change are worsening, and we are in a situation where there is no time to lose. To realize a sustainable society, we are required not only to promote individual environmental measures but also to transform social systems in a short period of time. I consider how to achieve this every day through my research.

Looking at the field of climate change, the scope of international governance has expanded compared to the past. Until now, policy discussions on climate change have primarily taken place under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), adopted in 1992, with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)—an international scientific assessment organization established in 1988—providing scientific information for policy formulation. While these remain central, the scope of climate change governance is expanding. Discussions now take place in diverse forums, including international frameworks like the G20 and G7, other international environmental treaties, initiatives led by private companies and financial institutions, public-private partnerships, and cross-border inter-city initiatives. Furthermore, climate change is now discussed in relation to a broader range of social and economic issues than ever before, such as sustainable development, biodiversity, disaster prevention, human rights, labor, security, trade, and finance.

Consequently, researchers in the environmental field must understand not only the environment but also policy discussions centered on other social and economic aspects. This summer, I participated in meetings of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) in Switzerland. There, I investigated the nature of environmental measures from perspectives such as "Just Transition"—leaving no one behind in the shift to a sustainable society—digitalization, trade, human rights, war, and security.

Transforming social systems to realize a sustainable society is not easy. However, there are more methods and technologies for problem-solving than in the past. I intend to continue my research on how to lead social system transformation, including the relationships between various institutions and actors (international organizations, governments, private companies, financial institutions, non-governmental organizations, citizens, etc.).