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Research Institute for Global Change (RIGC)

Carbon Cycle Research and the Global Carbon Project Recognized — Prof. Jackson Awarded the Blue Planet Prize and Our Activity Report

Dr. Prabir K. Patra, Principal Researcher
Earth Surface System Research Center, Research Institute for Global Change

On October 29, 2025, I had the honor of attending the Blue Planet Prize award ceremony held at the Tokyo Kaikan as a representative of the Global Carbon Project (GCP), together with Dr. Tomohiro Hajima. The Blue Planet Prize, organized by the Asahi Glass Foundation, honors individuals or organizations that have made outstanding scientific and technological contributions toward solving global environmental issues. This year, the prize was presented to Professor Robert B. Jackson（Stanford University, Chair of the GCP, in recognition of his pioneering research in quantifying the balance of greenhouse gases—namely carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide—originating from both natural ecosystems and fossil fuel use.
We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Prof. Jackson on this well-deserved honor.


From the left, Dr. Canadell, Prof. Jackson, Dr. Hajima, Dr. Patra

This year’s laureate, Prof. Jackson, has served as Chair of the GCP since 2017, leading international efforts to monitor and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. In recognition of GCP’s contributions, Dr. Josep Canadell（CSIRO, Executive Director of GCP, and I, as a member of the GCP Scientific Steering Committee, were honored to be invited to attend the award ceremony.
The award serves as a meaningful affirmation of the work we have undertaken within, in collaboration with, and in support of GCP. Since around 2009, we have been involved in GCP through the APN project (ARCP2011-11NMY-Patra/Canadell), contributing to CO₂ and CH₄ budget assessments for South and Southeast Asia under the RECCAP initiative. Since 2019, we have taken on leadership roles in several GCP components, including RECCAP2 and inversion modeling for CH₄, N₂O, and H₂. Our current contributions span the CO₂ budget (since 2018), CH₄ budget (since 2016), N₂O budget (since 2020), and the upcoming H₂ budget (2025).

In conjunction with the visit of Prof. Jackson and Dr. Canadell to Japan, a one-day meeting was held in Tokyo on October 27, with support from the GCP Tsukuba International Office, National Institute for Environmental Studies (NIES) and Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC). The meeting was also attended by scientists from South Korea and Singapore. This was followed by an in-depth discussion at the JAMSTEC Yokohama Institute for Earth Sciences on October 28, where researchers explored potential new research directions to be led by JAMSTEC scientists.
Participants from JAMSTEC included Dr. Kanaya (representing the IGAC Scientific Steering Committee), Dr. Sekiya, Dr. Chandra, Dr. Hajima, and Dr. Satoh, among others. The meetings provided a valuable opportunity for meaningful exchange not only on the GCP and its related activities, but also within the broader framework of Future Earth. Discussions focused on strengthening future collaboration and advancing shared research goals.
We remain committed to advancing scientific understanding and contributing to global sustainability through our continued collaboration with the GCP.


Photo courtesy of the GCP Tsukuba International Office, NIES