Earth System Division｜Organization｜National Institute for Environmental Studies

Earth System Division HP

Director

Director of Earth System Division
TANIMOTO Hiroshi

Greetings

The surface of the Earth is covered with the atmosphere, oceans, and land, and preserving these environments is indispensable for creating a sustainable human society. However, human activities have caused significant changes in the climate, including rising average temperatures, frequent extreme weather events, sea-level rise, and damage to ecosystems and food production.

The Paris Agreement, adopted in 2015, calls for stronger global action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Japan has pledged net zero emissions by 2050 and adopted a national “Climate Emergency Declaration.”

The Earth System Division was established in 2021 under the NIES Fifth Medium to Long Term Plan. Under the Sixth Plan, launched in 2026, the Division advances research on climate change mitigation and air quality improvement, providing scientific foundations for international climate policy and contributing to the 1.5°C target. We work closely with the Center for Global Environmental Research, which has conducted long term monitoring since 1990, and with the Satellite Observation Center, operates the GOSAT series. We will also continue to generate and share scientific knowledge, actively supporting frameworks such as the UNFCCC and IPCC.

Committed to “actions backed by words,” we aim to contribute to the realization of the sustainable global environment and resilient human society.

Outline of Research

Along with establishing the current circumstances of the global environment, we clarify the causes of environmental change. On this basis, we perform climate risk assessments and future climate change projections as well as research on environmental preservation and conservation. In addition, based on the needs of the environmental administration and to cater to the interests of the public, we actively disseminate our research outcomes and provide scientific expertise.

Figure: Along with establishing the current circumstances of the global environment, we clarify the causes of environmental change. On this basis, we perform climate risk assessments and future climate change projections as well as research on environmental preservation and conservation.

Strategic monitoring of the global environment

Observation and analysis of greenhouse gases which impact the global environment, and clarification of their movement in the global environment and long-term variation mechanisms
Refinement of the accuracy of future projections through clarification of the actual circumstances of global environmental change
Climate change and global risk assessment
Integrated assessment of climate change mitigation and adaptation measures for greenhouse gas emissions /Provision of scientific expertise to contribute to environmental policymaking
Strategic monitoring of the global environment; Development of global environmental databases; Support for global environmental research

Organization

Research Coordination Unit
To maximize the impact of the activities conducted by the Earth System Division, we enhance support for researchers and actively promote outreach and public communication of our research outcomes.

Biogeochemical Cycle Section
We develop observation and measurement techniques to understand biogeochemical cycles of chemical substances, including greenhouse gases, at various spatiotemporal scales, and applies them to analyze the interaction between biochemical cycles and climate change.

Global Atmospheric Chemistry Section
We develop techniques for measuring and modeling trace gases and aerosols of atmospheric importance and make laboratory experiments, field observations, and model simulations to understand the physical and chemical processes of the global atmosphere and the exchange between the atmosphere and the ocean and land surfaces. Through these activities, we analyze their linkages to global air pollution and climate change. We also brief policy implications of the scientific knowledge obtained, to support the goals of global sustainability.

Atmospheric Remote Sensing Section
In order to evaluate the climate effects of aerosols and clouds, the Atmospheric Remote Sensing Section is conducting research on the development and application of remote sensing methods that contribute to the understanding of the spatiotemporal fluctuations and radiation processes of aerosols and clouds on a global to regional scale.

Satellite Remote Sensing Section
Our section conducts studies based on satellite remote sensing technology, which include development and operation of observation systems; processing and analysis of observed data; research and development of methodologies for validating observation results from ground-based observations. Using data from satellite observations, we are also proceeding with further research to understand environmental changes on a global scale.

Climate Modeling and Analysis Section
Based on integrated modeling of dynamics, chemistry, and radiation processes, we elucidate and project climate change as a global environmental system.

Earth System Risk Analysis Section
We assess the global-scale risks of climate change impacts and the side-effects of climate change countermeasures, mainly based on computer simulations. We expect that our outcomes will inform policy-makers.

Monitoring Coordination Unit
We provide administrative support for the Earth Environment Project and the Earth Environmental Database Project.

Office for Atmospheric, Oceanic and Terrestrial Monitoring
We promote the monitoring of greenhouse gases and SLCFs using a diverse range of platforms, including ground-based stations, ships, and aircraft.

Office for Integrated Emission Assessment
An integrated assessment of the dynamics and budgets of substances that influence the global environment, including greenhouse gases, is undertaken to improve the accuracy of emission estimates.

Greenhouse Gas Inventory Office of Japan
The Greenhouse Gas Inventory Office of Japan (GIO) was established in July 2002 in the Center for Global Environmental Research (CGER), the National Institute for Environmental Studies (NIES).

Global Carbon Project Tsukuba International Office
Established in 2004 as one of the international offices of the Global Carbon Project (GCP), which integrates natural and social sciences to address global warming problems, we support research network development in Japan and Asia, international dissemination of findings, and global collaboration.

Japan GHG Center (provisional) Office
This project aims to build a scientific platform for understanding and reducing greenhouse gas emissions through strengthened collaboration with domestic and international research and government institutions, by integrating insights from their respective activities.

Office for Satellite Observation Project
We aim to be the go-to partner for satellite observation from GOSAT series, working hand-in-hand with government agencies and research institutes. By strengthening these ties, we will make sure our work brings even more value to both science and policy.

Group

Collaborative Research Group on GHG-SLCF Emission Inventories
As a collaborative research group, we conduct the following research and activities:
- Preparing the national inventory of SLCFs in Japan
- Improving emissions inventory by GHG-SLCF synergetic effects
- Promoting collaboration of researchers and practitioners on emission inventory
- Disseminating information and advocating for public and policy
- Other domestic and international activities

Our Researchers

Research Staff - Earth System Division

Database / Tool

Forecast for distributions of Asian dust and anthropogenic aerosols in east Asian region
This page displays distributions of Asian dust, anthropogenic aerosols, and tracers (chemical components) forecasted by Chemical weather FORecasting System (CFORS).
JaLTER Metacat
An ecological observation database managed by JaLTER in order to facilitate long-term ecological researches. Observation datasets in the database, provided by JaLTER sites, are available for non-commercial use.
Greenhouse Gas Inventory Office of Japan (GIO)-GHGs Emissions Data of Japan (1990-)
National GHGs Inventory Report of JAPAN (NIR), Greenhouse Gas Inventories submitted to UNFCCC by Government of Japan. These data are based on the greenhouse gas inventory submitted from Japanese Government to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.
Terrestrial Ecosystem Carbon Balance Data with 1 km Grid Resolution
We provide an overview of the current regional patterns of carbon balance by terrestrial ecosystems as map image data. The data are obtained by integrating ground-based and satellite observation data with model simulation, and can be downloaded from this web site.
GOSAT Data Archive Service (GDAS)
This web site provides processed products of GOSAT observation data.
Greenhouse Gas Emissions Scenarios
A database collecting a number of greenhouse gas emissions scenarios.
Global 1km Fossil Fuel Carbon Dioxide Emission Dataset (ODIAC)
This dataset indicates global distributions of man-made CO₂ emissions due to fossil fuel combustion at 1x1km spatial resolution.
Embodied Energy and Emission Intensity Data for Japan Using Input-Output Tables (3EID)
Database compiling embodied environmental burden intensities for approximately 400 sectors of economic activity in 1990 and 1995.
Global Environmental Database
The Global Environmental Database serves as a fundamental database of the Center for Global Environmental Research at NIES. The GED disseminates research data and results related to global environmental problems with an emphasis on global warming and climate change. Near real-time monitoring data of greenhouse-gases and online analysis tools (e.g. CGER METEX: trajectory calculation) are also available.
The global water resources model "H08"
The global water resources model H08 is a distributed hydrological model designed for global application. The model enables us to simulate not only natural terrestrial hydrological cycle but also major human activities at high spatial and temporal resolutions. Source code, manuals, and meteorological input data of H08 are available.
Monitoring Network for Ultraviolet Radiation-UV index
Providing information on ultraviolet radiation, including UV index, for 14 sites in Japan on hourly basis. A website for cellular phone is also available.
Polar Vortex Forecasts
Forecast of the position, shape, and size of the polar air-mass in the stratosphere. It is displayed in terms of potential vorticity maps calculated by CGER, using the National Center for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) weather forecast data.
Information on Vitamin D Synthesis / Erythemal UV
UV radiation contains erythemally-weighted UV, as well as UV that synthesizes vitamin D₃. Here the time to reach the MED and that needed to produce 10 μg of vitamin D for various sites across the Japanese Archipelago, is shown which will enable people to effectively manage their UV exposure and consider the risks and benefits of UV radiation.