[ISSUE21] Decarbonization

• The 21st United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP21) held in Paris, France, in December 2015, marked a significant milestone with the adoption of the Paris Agreement, aimed at reducing global greenhouse gas emissions. However, the global situation has since grown increasingly dire. Despite facing numerous challenges, countries, regions, and companies have been persevering in their effort to decrease CO₂ emissions. Concurrently, researchers at Ritsumeikan University have also been diligently exploring solutions within their respective fields of expertise. Notably, the establishment of the Japan Biochar Research Center, Ritsumeikan University exemplifies such endeavors. In this issue, we showcase the latest research on “decarbonization” by Ritsumeikan University's esteemed researchers.