Symposium on Mitigating Climate Change Held in London

On 28-29 September, the JSPS London Office cosponsored a large-scale symposium with The University of Tokyo and Imperial College London. It was held at Imperial College London on the theme "Energy and Green House Gas Mitigation Technologies." This was the twelfth in the series of symposia to be held by the London Office. Its theme of climate change is of very high interest in both the UK and Japan, attracting some 200 researchers, students, and representatives of UK and Japanese government agencies and corporations to the event. Seven researchers from Japan and eight from the UK were invited to speak on the latest counter global warming technologies and future warming mitigation strategies.

An opening speech was given by Sir Richard Sykes, rector, Imperial College London, followed by presentations from Dr. Hiroshi Komiyama, president, The University of Tokyo, on "The Role of Research Universities as an Engine for Innovation"; Prof. Yoichi Kaya, directorgeneral, Research Institute of Innovative Technology for the Earth (RITE), on "Long Term Strategies for Mitigating Climate Change: Barriers and Responses"; Dr. Steve Koonin, chief scientist, BP, on "The Promise of Energy Biosciences"; Mr. John Loughhead, executive director, UK Energy Research Centre, on "Trends in Energy Research"; and Prof. Hisashi Ishitani, Keio University, on "Post-Kyoto Framework for Long-Term and Substantial CO₂ Emission Mitigation." On the second day, carbon capture and storage and other state-of-the-art warming mitigation technologies were introduced by the speakers.

Just before the symposium convened, The University of Tokyo and Imperial College London signed an agreement to conduct more extensive campus-wide exchange activities between them.

- JSPS London Office