Kyoto, 17 November 2025: ERIA, through its Asia Zero Emission Center (AZE Center), and Kyoto University co-hosted a 1-day workshop titled ‘Bridging the Gap: AZEC Implementation and Research.’ The workshop brought together researchers, academics, and policymakers to strengthen collaboration and align research pathways supporting Asia’s transition toward a low-carbon future.

Held at Kyoto University, the event served as a platform to connect the university’s long-standing expertise in engineering, energy systems, and development studies with ERIA’s work across hydrogen, mobility, transition finance, and carbon capture, utilisation, and storage (CCUS).

The workshop opened with remarks from Prof. Yasuyuki Kono, Vice-President for International Strategy at Kyoto University, and Dr Nuki Agya Utama, Director of the AZE Center. Prof. Kono reaffirmed Kyoto University’s commitment to supporting ASEAN’s sustainable development through rigorous, high-impact academic research. He emphasised that collaboration between universities and regional partners is essential for navigating the complexities of the energy transition, translating cutting-edge academic insights into practical, scalable solutions for ASEAN.

Dr Nuki followed with a scene-setting presentation outlining the AZE Center’s role in bridging the divide between ambitious energy-transition targets and on-the-ground implementation realities.

Building on these strong opening messages, the workshop moved into four thematic sessions that explored new research opportunities and strengthened the integration of scientific expertise into Asia’s decarbonisation pathways. Each session featured a mix of ERIA’s policy-oriented studies and Kyoto University’s academic research.

Speakers from both institutions presented on the evolving landscape of CCUS technologies, including readiness assessments, industrial decarbonisation pathways, Japan’s opportunities and challenges in scaling CCS, and emerging innovations such as foam-assisted CO sequestration, which shows potential for improving storage efficiency and reservoir performance.

The mobility session examined decarbonisation strategies for ASEAN’s transport sector, with discussions covering hydrogen deployment, bus-to-grid systems, and biomass-based fuels. Participants highlighted the need to align regional ambition with practical and scalable solutions that can support cleaner mobility systems across Asia.

Complementing the technology-related discussions, experts also exchanged perspectives on the future of sustainable and transition finance. Topics included emerging investment pathways, the role of carbon markets, and the political economy shaping capital flows in East and Southeast Asia.

Across sessions, ERIA and Kyoto University speakers emphasised the importance of integrating research and policy to guide technology choices – spanning CCUS, hydrogen, and nuclear energy (including small modular reactors) – under conditions of uncertainty. Both institutions agreed that strengthening the science–policy interface is essential to supporting countries as they navigate a complex and rapidly evolving energy transition.

In their closing remarks, Dr Alloysius Joko Purwanto (ERIA) and Dr Taro Sonobe (Kyoto University) underscored the importance of sustained collaboration between academic institutions and policy organisations to ensure that Asia’s energy transition is grounded in evidence, innovation, and practical feasibility. Both institutions reaffirmed their commitment to advancing joint research under the Asia Zero Emission Community (AZEC) framework.