Center Overview

Goals of the Nature-Positive Technology Implementation Research Center

As “Nature Positive” becomes an international trend, the degradation of natural capital—including biodiversity—is recognized as a clear threat to the sustainability of socioeconomic activities, including corporate operations, and has become a global social issue. Therefore, by pooling AIST’s natural and environmental technologies [Seeds], we will develop integrated technologies—such as measurement, assessment, and mitigation measures—that contribute to the conservation and restoration of natural capital toward the realization of a Nature Positive society, aiming for the following three societal implementations:

(1) Social implementation of sustainability analysis incorporating TNFD assessments

(2) Social implementation of nature-tech technologies to address corporate challenges

(3) Social implementation of natural capital assessment technologies at the regional level

Team Composition

Natural Capital Database Construction and Value Analysis Research Team (9 members)

To understand the current state and changes in natural capital, we will construct a natural capital database covering water, soil, vegetation, and other elements, and develop analytical technologies to assess the value of this information.

Natural Capital Diagnostic Technology Research Team (10 members)

Aiming to meet diverse needs for natural capital assessment, we will develop integrated technologies for measurement, analysis, and monitoring that focus on the physical, chemical, and biological characteristics of natural capital, with an emphasis on water and soil.

Ecological Impact and Countermeasure Technology Evaluation Research Team (11 members)

We will develop evaluation methods for the impacts of human activities (such as new materials, substances, and development projects) on natural capital and for mitigation technologies, while also developing technologies and indicators that contribute to comprehensive evaluations incorporating sociopsychological and economic perspectives.

Natural Capital Sustainability Research Team (6 members)

We will develop analytical and simulation technologies to assess the dependence on and impact of production and consumption activities on the natural environment, as well as technologies to reduce the impact of industrial activities on natural capital and support the establishment of sustainable value chains.

Core Technologies

Environmental infrastructure data, environmental DNA and microbial analysis (utilization of soil microorganisms), high-sensitivity sensing technology, water quality contamination measurement technology (PFAS, MP), terrestrial environmental assessment and aquatic exposure simulation, water risk analysis, LCA and resource flow analysis, machine learning and deep learning, bioremediation, water treatment and recycling technology, measurement uncertainty analysis

Participating Areas

Geological Survey of Japan, Energy and Environment Domain; National Institute of Metrology, Electronics and Manufacturing Domain