The proposed "carbon cultivation society" envisions an ideal societal state. A method will be devised to evaluate it as an accepted technological development, particularly through backcasting from the sustainability standpoint of the local community where the technology will be implemented. This determination emerged during activities in the nurturing program, concluding that utilizing the concept of donut economics is suitable for integrating diverse values. A new indicator inspired by this concept will be created and implemented. It will then be tailored to the specific framework of the implementation region and established as the evaluative indicator management for the project. Additionally, a forum for dialogue will be established to facilitate co-creation based on the needs of various stakeholders. This forum will offer feedback to the research field.
Clarification of Constraints Affecting Regional Sustainability:
The lack of clarity regarding the foundational "region" in the biomass resource cycle often complicates social implementation management. By analyzing certain elements, the scope of the regional circulation zone will be clarified. In the cultivation phase, a process centered around "rice" will be constructed. As the project advances to the full-scale phase, a blueprint for expanding this process to include "rice," "forest," and "algae" will be defined, managing the implementation project accordingly.
Identification of New Value Elements of Accepted Technology:
Beyond economic considerations, diverse values can be harnessed through carbon cultivation. This includes values that emphasize environmental, economic, and social enhancements at production sites. Notably, these encompass biodiversity, sustainable productivity, food security, culture, health, and other indicators aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). These values will serve as evaluation indicators for project outcomes. Concurrently, these values will be articulated as "narratives of value creation" that span from production to consumption. They will play a pivotal role in discussions during dialogue sessions.
Innovative Technological Design for a Carbon-Recycling Society:
At present, the core technological components primarily involve biomass resource utilization, material development, and energy utilization. This theme delves into the design of ancillary and societal technologies that complement these core technologies. Target technologies will be sought, concentrating on elements that bridge resources and regions. This includes technologies connecting production sites and consumers, innovative resource transportation methods, leveraging digital transformation (DX) in smart agriculture, value creation founded on traceability, and the establishment of "biomass clusters." These areas have been highlighted in prior discussions and projects, and they will be further developed as part of the project’s expansion.
