Networks
Integrated Research System on Sustainability Science (IR3S)
Background
The Integrated Research System for Sustainability Science (IR3S) is an alliance among the research centers of five leading Japanese universities supported by 6 cooperating institutions. IR3S aims to address global environmental and sustainability issues through education and research.
Member Universities
The five research centers involved in the network are as follows: Transdisciplinary Initiative for Global Sustainability (TIGS, the University of Tokyo), Kyoto Sustainability Initiative (KSI, Kyoto University), Research Institute for Sustainability Science (RISS, Osaka University), Sustainability Governance Project, SGP (Hokkaido University), Institute for Global Change Adaptation Science, ICAS (Ibaraki University). Additionally, 6 cooperating institutions are also included in the network, namely: Toyo University, the National Institute for Environmental Studies, Tohoku University, Chiba University, Waseda University, and Ritsumeikan University.
Activities
IR3S is involved in three flagship projects, namely: Sustainable Countermeasures for Global Warming, Development of an Asian Recycling-Oriented Society, The Concept and Development of Global Sustainability-Reform of the Socioeconomic System and the Role of Science and Technology. In the area of education, the member universities have implemented Master’s and PhD programs on Sustainability Science has been implemented to develop the human resources needed towards building a sustainable future. IR3S also publishes the jounal Sustainability Science as a venue for sharing and disseminating up to date information and knowledge on sustainability issues.