Socio-technological Co-evolution Approach: An Endeavor by the JST-RISTEX Environment-energy R&D Program☆

Abstract Bearing in mind the co-evolution nature of transition to a sustainable low carbon system, in this paper, we define a new “co-evolution approach” and implemented it as an R&D funding program of JST-RISTEX. Through the examination of R&D project results, we found that our socio-technological co-evolution approach is effective for involving both academia and local stakeholders at the early stage of scenario building (co-design) and motivating them to commit sustainable local actions together (co-production). This approach initiated by our R&D program is a valuable endeavor implemented even ahead of the “Future Earth” international research initiative for sustainability under the International Council for Science (ICSU).