2025 Reports

Adaptation and Mitigation Measures and their Policymaking Processes in Shiga

Baba, Kenshi; Kimura, Michinori

Shiga Prefecture’s climate change policy stands out for two key reasons: (1) it employs backcasting, supported by a quantitative model, to design its mitigation strategies; and (2) it was one of the first regions in Japan to initiate adaptation efforts, including detailed impact assessments funded by national subsidies. A critical factor in this policy process is the involvement of the local environmental research institute. This institute serves as a vital bridge between the scientific community and local government, playing a central role in developing both mitigation and adaptation plans by incorporating scientific projections and knowledge.