Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES)

Institute for Global Environmental Strategies is an organization based in Kanagawa, Japan.

Background

"The Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES), established by an initiative of the Japanese Government in 1998, is a research institute that conducts pragmatic and innovative strategic policy research to support sustainable development in the Asia-Pacific region.

While the Asia-Pacific region is experiencing rapid economic growth and extensive urbanisation together with continued population increase, the region is still facing the issue of poverty. Efforts towards regional economic integration bring with them opportunities for further economic progress and poverty reduction but at the same time, there is concern that this will greatly increase the impact on natural resources and the environment through forest degradation, air and water pollution and an increase in waste generation. Climate change, the most urgent issue facing the world today, also presents the region with challenges: the region is one of the major sources of greenhouse gases (GHGs) and it is also likely to be affected by the severe impact of global warming on regional economies, society and the lives of ordinary citizens.

In the face of mounting challenges, the mission of IGES is to create effective strategies and propose practical solutions to support sustainable development, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region, while looking ahead 50 or even 100 years into the future. Expectations and requests are increasing that the Asia-Pacific region plays an important role in international efforts to deal with climate change and other critical environmental issues. It is vital to carry out appropriate policy proposals based on conditions in each area of the region, which is characterised by diversities in terms of economy, politics, culture and natural environment.

IGES will enhance collaborations with a broad range of stakeholders such as national governments, local authorities, businesses, non-governmental organisations, citizens and experts, to carry out strategic policy research from an Asia-Pacific perspective and to disseminate the results around the world, so that it can contribute to the transition towards a sustainable society."