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Declaration on Nature Positive

There is a term, syujyo (living thing), in Buddhism. The term issai syujyo (all living things), is attached great importance by Buddhists. Since ancient times, Buddhism has focused on the diversity of living things.

The diversity of living things on Planet Earth, and biodiversity – the connection between living things – comprise the foundation which supports our lives. Abundant biodiversity provides many elements that are indispensable for our daily lives, such as food, water, and climate stability. However, this biodiversity is being lost at a rapid rate due to various human activities. The United Nations has clearly set out a new global goal of `Nature Positive’, to be attained by 2030, and each of us is required to act accordingly. In order to realize a sustainable society and to pass Earth’s rich, natural environment on to the next generation, we believe now is the time to reflect on our activities and take renewed action.

Ryukoku University promotes ‘Buddhist SDGs’ through a philosophy of jisei-rita (introspective altruism) ,which is an act to contribute to the happiness of others with self-reflection through introspection, and according to this principle, we have developed initiatives related to biodiversity conservation in education, research, and in contributions to society. In addition, our Seta Campus (surrounded by the rich woodlands of the Ryukoku Forest) and our Fukakusa Campus (by which we aim to contribute by ‘turning Fukakusa into a forest’ through our campus concept), both have resources unique to our university and contribute to Nature Positivity.

We are currently promoting the "Ryukoku Strategic Plan 400", to be brought to fulfillment by the end of the2039 Academic Year, marking the 400th anniversary of our founding. Our vision is “by fostering the development of citizens who possess the qualities of Magokoro, our university strives to create new knowledge and value. By doing so, we can overcome any obstacles or differences, becoming a platform that contributes to world peace”.

Given this background, we believe that our university is poised to play a leading role in initiatives which contribute to Nature Positivity. Therefore, in order to contribute to the realization of a sustainable society and the attainment of world peace, we hereby issue the Ryukoku University Nature Positive Declaration.

<Ryukoku University’s Declaration on Nature Positive>

  1. From a Buddhist perspective, we will develop human beings who can contribute to Nature Positivity through educational and research activities.
  2. As a university covering a wide range of knowledge, from the humanities and social sciences to the natural sciences, we will implement Nature Positivity-related research results within society.
  3. We will collaborate with such entities as the national government, local governments companies, NGOs and NPOs, promoting various activities toward Nature Positivity, as well as co-creating initiatives which foster new values.
  4. We will not stop at these activities, but will reflect on our own actions and work toward realizing a world which coexists with nature.

Takashi Irisawa, President
Ryukoku University
Ryukoku University Junior College
Date: March 1st, 2024

What is Nature Positive･･･

Nature positive means stopping biodiversity loss and putting it on a recovery track. At the 15th session of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP15) held in December 2022, a new global goal, the Kunming-Montreal Biodiversity Framework was adopted, and the direction of "nature positive" was clearly indicated in this framework. In Japan, the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plans 2023-2030 was approved by the Cabinet at the end of March 2023 as a strategy to respond to this, and efforts are underway to realize nature positive.

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