Organization/Network

Center for Climate Change Adaptation (CCCA)

Posted: 22 August 2023

Updated: 12 December 2023

Asia - Japan

BASIC INFORMATION

Overview

The Center for Climate Change Adaptation (CCCA) is a division of the National Institute for Environmental Studies (NIES). Its role involves gathering, structuring, analyzing, and supplying data regarding climate change effects and adaptation. Moreover, the center offers technical counsel to local governments and Local Climate Change Adaptation Centers (LCCACs) in Japan.

Headquarters: Tsukuba, Japan
Established: 1 December 2018

MISSION

CCCA's mission is to contribute to climate change adaptation by aiding in the development and execution of national and local adaptation plans in Japan. This involves providing support for adaptation initiatives undertaken by both the public sector and businesses, as well as conducting research in the field of climate change adaptation.

KEY ACTIVITIES

Creating information platforms
Assisting local governments and local adaptation centers
Conducting climate change adaptation research

Each activity is explained in more detail below.

Creating information platforms

Climate Change Adaptation Information Platform (A-PLAT)

The A-PLAT website, operated by CCCA, offers scientific knowledge, case studies, and other essential information and data for local governments, businesses, individuals, and other stakeholders in Japan to undertake measures against climate change.

<Case Study 1: The development of an educational board game to teach about climate change adaptation>

Our research center has developed a board game aimed at educating about climate adaptation, integrating features from the traditional Japanese board game called Sugoroku. The game has been acknowledged and praised by the National Institute on Consumer Education in Japan as an effective educational tool for domestic schools.

Asia-Pacific Climate Change Adaptation Information Platform (AP-PLAT )

The AP-PLAT website, also operated by CCCA, offers scientific data, tools, e-learning materials, and other content to assist developing countries in the Asia-Pacific region with formulating and implementing adaptation plans.

Assisting local governments and local adaptation centers

The impacts of climate change, as well as economic and social environments, vary from region to region. A locally-specific approach is essential to effectively implement adaptation measures tailored to regional needs. Through A-PLAT and collaboration with research institutions, CCCA supports local governments and Local Climate Change Adaptation Information Centers (LCCACs) in the following ways:

Providing technical advice to prefectures and municipalities on the formulation and promotion of climate change adaptation plans.
Offering technical advice to LCCACs.
Supplying materials and providing comments and opinions upon request from local councils on Climate Change Adaptation.

Conducting climate change adaptation research

To scientifically support initiatives aimed at promoting climate change adaptation activities of local governments and other stakeholders, CCCA conducts the Climate Change Adaptation Research Program, which consists of:

Observing and monitoring climate change impacts.
Assessing climate change impacts.
Researching the formulation of climate change adaptation strategies.

<Case Study 2: Research project on climate resilient rice>

The research team, led by Dr. Masutomi, investigates the impacts of climate change on rice and climate-resilient rice farming. Due to climate change, producing high-quality rice has become increasingly challenging. Their study aims to sustain rice production even under severe climatic conditions caused by climate change in the Asia-Pacific region and Japan.

The list of research projects at CCCA can be found below in RELATED INFORMATION: CCCA - List of research programs (Japanese).

Background

CCCA was established on December 1, 2018, coinciding with the effective date of the Climate Change Adaptation Act, as the base for implementing tasks stipulated in the Act.

Climate Change Adaptation Act (Act No. 50 of 2018), promulgated in June 2018, stipulates that the National Institute for Environmental Studies (NIES. Headquarters: Tsukuba, Japan) shall be responsible for collecting, organizing, analyzing, and providing information on climate change impacts and adaptation, as well as providing technical advice lo local governments and Local Climate Change Adaptation Centers (LCCACs).