Kyoto University
IN-3: Innovation 3

Establishmenbt of CAS-Net JAPAN (Campus Sustainability Network in Japan)

CAS-Net Japan, the first network for campus sustainability in Japan, will be established in March 2014 after four preparatory meetings for the establishment hosted by Kyoto University. Kyoto University organizes its first annual conference in March 2014. The administration office will be put at Kyoto University. The network aims to accelerate establishment of sustainable campus of Japanese universities and to contribute to establishment of the environmentally sustainable society.

Japanese universities have engaged in various efforts, such as the energy efficient renovation of buildings, the enhancement of environmental education for students or reorganization to enhance campus sustainability. However, the “hard” and “soft” elements of those efforts have not been integrated. The hard efforts include energy-saving, carbon reduction, transportation, and waste disposal, whereas the soft efforts include aspects such as environmental education, regional partnership, food issues, and management methods. The network will catalyze sustainability efforts and enhance information sharing among universities to fulfill the social responsibility of higher education.