Writer Profile

Kanako Morita
Faculty of Economics Associate ProfessorSpecialization: Environmental Governance and Finance

Kanako Morita
Faculty of Economics Associate ProfessorSpecialization: Environmental Governance and Finance
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 my research in this field, I feel that interest in climate change and biodiversity issues within the private sector has increased significantly. On the other hand, global environmental problems such as climate change are becoming more severe, and we are now 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 spend my days thinking through my research about how we can achieve this.
Looking at the field of climate change, the scope of international governance has expanded compared to the past. Historically, policy discussions on climate change were primarily conducted under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change adopted in 1992, with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change¡ªan international scientific assessment organization established in 1988¡ªproviding scientific information for policy formulation. While these remain central, the scope of climate change governance has broadened. 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 wider 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 now need to 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 and the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe in Switzerland. There, I investigated the nature of environmental measures from perspectives such as "Just Transition"¡ªensuring no one is left behind in the transition to a sustainable society¡ªas well as digitalization, trade, human rights, war, and security.
Transforming social systems to realize a sustainable society is not easy. However, the methods and technologies for problem-solving have increased compared to the past. I intend to continue my research on how we can lead to social system transformation, including the relationships between various systems and actors such as international organizations, governments, private companies, financial institutions, non-governmental organizations, and citizens.
*Affiliations and titles are as of the time of publication.