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Global Perspectives on Environmental Friendlines
Associate Professor(International Economics)
TOKITO Shohei
In order to realize a sustainable society, it is necessary to consider many issues including global warming from multiple perspectives globally in today's world, where we are internationalizing and consuming goods and services produced overseas. In the current research laboratory, we conduct studies on the global supply chain, which has expanded worldwide, by analyzing "trade," especially the intermediate processes such as materials and components. We examine the countries consuming the products, the regions bearing environmental burdens, and the trade networks connecting them.
For example, let's consider whether riding an electric vehicle is environmentally friendly. We must compare it with gasoline-powered cars or hybrid cars by considering the manufacturing of the vehicle body, the production of electricity for driving, and the disposal of batteries, along with the environmental pollution associated with these processes. Furthermore, from a global perspective, there are studies suggesting that while the increase in electric vehicles in Japan may reduce carbon dioxide emissions domestically due to the current power composition, the increase in imported components and materials may lead to a greater increase in emissions overseas than the reduction achieved domestically.
Additionally, there are risks associated with the use of rare metals in motors and batteries, which are only mined in China and some other countries. If relations deteriorate, there is a risk that importing these metals becomes impossible.
We continue our research on a daily basis to provide guidelines for advancing "sustainable development" worldwide by considering various factors.
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