ACTIVITIES
TOPACTIVITIESIPSI Collaborative ActivitiesInternational Conference on Carbon Credits and SEPLS for Combating Climate Change
International Conference on Carbon Credits and SEPLS for Combating Climate Change
Lead organization: SEPLS Carbon Credit Regional Revitalization Center (Seed Coleus Greenhouse)
Other participating organizations: Tainan New Agricultural Biotechnology Production Cooperative; International Society for Science, Art and Innovation; Agency of Rural Development and Soil and Water Conservation; Research Center for Applied Sciences, Academia Sinica (RCAS); National Cheng Kung University; National Taiwan University; NCKU Research & Development Foundation.
Background
Climate change poses unprecedented challenges to both human societies and natural ecosystems. As nations accelerate efforts to achieve net-zero goals, carbon credits have emerged as a vital mechanism for incentivizing emission reductions and enhancing carbon sinks. Beyond markets and finance, it is essential to ensure that carbon credit systems contribute to biodiversity conservation, ecosystem restoration, and community resilience.
The Satoyama Initiative emphasizes the importance of Socio-Ecological Production Landscapes and Seascapes (SEPLS) as dynamic mosaics where human well-being and biodiversity can be mutually reinforced. By aligning carbon credit mechanisms with the Satoyama strategic priorities—knowledge co-production, institutional frameworks, area-based conservation, ecosystem restoration, and sustainable value chains—this conference seeks to explore innovative pathways where carbon finance not only mitigates climate change but also revitalizes local landscapes, seascapes, and communities.
This international conference aims to:
- Advance Knowledge Co-Production for SEPLS – Facilitate dialogue between researchers, policymakers, practitioners, and local communities to co-develop scientific and traditional knowledge on carbon credits and climate change mitigation.
- Strengthen Institutional Frameworks and Capacity – Build regional and global networks to support governance systems, community-based organizations, and policy frameworks that enable inclusive carbon credit schemes.
- Promote Area-Based Conservation – Highlight the role of SEPLS in biodiversity-based carbon projects, ensuring that conservation outcomes are integrated into carbon markets and climate action strategies.
- Support Ecosystem Restoration – Share innovative approaches for linking carbon credits with large-scale ecosystem restoration, including forests, mangroves, wetlands, and agricultural landscapes.
- Develop Sustainable Value Chains – Showcase successful models where carbon finance drives sustainable livelihoods, eco-friendly production systems, and equitable benefit-sharing across local and indigenous communities.
By connecting carbon credit systems with the Satoyama Initiative strategies, the conference will serve as a platform to co-create solutions that advance both global climate goals and resilient socio-ecological production landscapes and seascapes.
Activities
The International Conference on Carbon Credits and SEPLS for Combating Climate Change will be held in April 2026 at National Cheng Kung University (NCKU), Tainan, Taiwan. The conference will convene IPSI members, academic experts, policymakers, local communities, and stakeholders engaged in carbon credit mechanisms and climate change mitigation.
Key activities include:
Plenary Sessions – Presentations and keynote speeches by international experts on carbon credit systems, biodiversity-based climate solutions, and SEPLS-oriented strategies for climate action.
Thematic Panels – Parallel sessions focusing on the five Satoyama strategic areas:
- Knowledge co-production for carbon credit methodologies in SEPLS.
- Institutional frameworks and governance for community-based carbon schemes.
- Area-based conservation measures integrating biodiversity into carbon markets.
- Ecosystem restoration initiatives linked with carbon finance.
- Sustainable value chain development that connects carbon credits with local livelihoods.
- Case Sharing and Roundtable Discussions – IPSI members and global stakeholders will share practical experiences from Asia, Africa, and Latin America on biodiversity-based carbon projects, followed by multi-stakeholder dialogues to identify synergies and challenges.
- Field Excursion (Optional Side Event) – A study visit to nearby traditional rural landscapes in southern Taiwan, showcasing ecological farming practices and potential SEPLS-based carbon projects, allowing participants to directly engage with local communities and understand site-level dynamics.
Through these activities, the conference will not only enhance technical and policy understanding of carbon credits but also strengthen the role of SEPLS as a foundation for equitable and sustainable climate action.
Actors and task sharing
The SEPLS Carbon Credit Regional Revitalization Center will serve as the main organizer of the conference, responsible for overall planning, coordination, and ensuring alignment with the Satoyama Initiative strategies.
The following partners will contribute to the successful implementation of the event:
- Tainan New Agricultural Biotechnology Production Cooperative – Provide local engagement, community participation, and showcase examples of SEPLS-based agricultural landscapes relevant to carbon credit initiatives.
- International Society for Science, Art and Innovation – Facilitate international outreach, interdisciplinary dialogue, and the integration of cultural and innovative perspectives into the conference program.
- Agency of Rural Development and Soil and Water Conservation – Support policy discussions, institutional linkages, and share Taiwan’s experiences in land management and ecosystem-based adaptation.
- Research Center for Applied Sciences, Academia Sinica (RCAS) – Contribute scientific expertise on climate change, ecosystem monitoring, and innovative carbon credit methodologies.
- National Cheng Kung University (NCKU) – Serve as the host institution, providing the venue, academic support, and coordination with local stakeholders in Tainan.
- National Taiwan University (NTU) – Offer academic collaboration and research contributions on sustainability science, carbon governance, and SEPLS management.
- NCKU Research & Development Foundation – Provide administrative and logistical support for organizing the conference and managing resources.
- IPSI Members – Act as co-organizers by sharing international case studies, participating in thematic sessions, and contributing to the joint outcome document that reflects multi-stakeholder perspectives.
This collaborative task-sharing arrangement ensures that the conference combines strong local engagement, academic and scientific rigor, international participation, and policy relevance, fully in line with the Satoyama Initiative’s objectives.
Expected outcomes
The conference is expected to generate the following outcomes:
- Knowledge Co-Production and Dissemination – Enhanced understanding of the nexus between carbon credit mechanisms, biodiversity conservation, and SEPLS through shared experiences, academic contributions, and community perspectives. Proceedings and policy briefs will be published and shared with IPSI members and relevant international platforms.
- Strengthened Institutional Frameworks – Development of collaborative frameworks among government agencies, academic institutions, cooperatives, and IPSI members to advance inclusive governance and policy support for SEPLS-based carbon initiatives.
- Advancement of Area-Based Conservation – Identification of best practices for integrating biodiversity conservation into carbon markets, ensuring that carbon finance supports both ecological integrity and climate mitigation goals.
- Ecosystem Restoration Pathways – Documentation of innovative restoration models (e.g., forests, mangroves, wetlands, and traditional rural landscapes) where carbon credits provide sustainable financing mechanisms.
- Sustainable Value Chain Development – Promotion of equitable and sustainable livelihood opportunities by linking carbon credits to eco-friendly agricultural production, local cooperatives, and community-driven enterprises.
- Regional and Global Networking – Establishment of partnerships among IPSI members, research institutions, and practitioners across Asia, Africa, and Latin America to exchange knowledge and collaborate on biodiversity-based carbon credit projects.
- Conference Outcome Document – A joint statement synthesizing key insights and recommendations, highlighting the role of SEPLS in advancing climate action, biodiversity conservation, and community resilience, to be disseminated within the IPSI network and to broader international audiences.
Through these outcomes, the conference will contribute not only to the global discourse on carbon credits but also to the realization of the Satoyama Initiative’s vision of harmonious coexistence between human societies and nature.
How activities relate to the IPSI Strategy and Plan of Action
This international conference is designed to directly advance the IPSI Strategy and Plan of Action by operationalizing its five strategic objectives through the lens of carbon credits and SEPLS.
- Knowledge Co-Production, Management, and Uptake: The conference will bring together academic researchers, policymakers, practitioners, and local communities to exchange both scientific and traditional knowledge on biodiversity-based carbon credit systems. This co-production of knowledge will be disseminated through conference proceedings, policy briefs, and an outcome document, thereby enhancing global and regional learning.
- Institutional Frameworks and Capacity Development: By engaging IPSI members, government agencies, and cooperatives, the event will strengthen institutional linkages and governance systems for SEPLS-based carbon initiatives. Capacity-building elements will include workshops, roundtables, and opportunities for multi-stakeholder dialogue.
- Area-Based Conservation Measures: Sessions will highlight practical experiences in integrating biodiversity conservation into carbon markets, showcasing how area-based SEPLS conservation contributes to climate change mitigation while safeguarding ecosystem services.
- Ecosystem Restoration: The conference will provide a platform for sharing models of ecosystem restoration—including forests, mangroves, wetlands, and traditional agricultural landscapes—where carbon credits act as sustainable financing mechanisms to restore degraded ecosystems.
- Sustainable Value Chain Development: By engaging agricultural cooperatives, local communities, and private-sector actors, the conference will demonstrate how carbon credits can strengthen sustainable value chains, enhance livelihoods, and ensure equitable benefit-sharing in SEPLS.
Through these contributions, the conference will serve as a concrete action under the IPSI Plan of Action, ensuring that carbon credit mechanisms not only mitigate climate change but also reinforce biodiversity conservation, ecosystem health, and human well-being in socio-ecological production landscapes and seascapes.
Resources and funding
The conference will be primarily hosted at National Cheng Kung University (NCKU), Tainan, Taiwan, which will provide the venue and on-campus facilities as in-kind support. The organizational resources will be mobilized through a multi-stakeholder collaboration among academic, governmental, and cooperative partners.
Financial support for the conference is expected to reach approximately USD 10,000, contributed jointly by National Cheng Kung University (NCKU), National Science and Technology Council (NSTC, Taiwan), Agency of Rural Development and Soil and Water Conservation.
In addition, co-organizers including the SEPLS Carbon Credit Regional Revitalization Center, local cooperatives, and IPSI member institutions will provide in-kind contributions such as technical expertise, coordination, outreach, and knowledge-sharing. This combination of financial resources and in-kind contributions will ensure the successful organization of the event, while also reflecting a collaborative model consistent with the IPSI Strategy.
Monitoring and reporting
The monitoring and reporting of the conference will be conducted through a multi-layered approach to ensure accountability, transparency, and alignment with the IPSI Strategy and Plan of Action.
- Pre-Conference Preparation Monitoring
The organizing committee, led by the SEPLS Carbon Credit Regional Revitalization Center and NCKU, will set clear milestones for program development, participant confirmation, and logistical arrangements. Progress will be reviewed monthly through coordination meetings among co-organizers and IPSI partners.
- On-Site Monitoring during the Conference
A dedicated secretariat team will oversee the implementation of plenary sessions, thematic panels, and field excursions. Attendance records, participant feedback forms, and session reports will be systematically collected. Independent rapporteurs will document discussions and highlight key insights to ensure comprehensive coverage.
- Post-Conference Reporting
A Conference Outcome Document summarizing key findings, policy recommendations, and alignment with the five Satoyama strategic areas will be prepared and shared with IPSI members. A final report, including participant statistics, financial accounting, evaluation results, and recommendations for future activities, will be submitted to IPSI and made publicly accessible to stakeholders. Academic outputs such as policy briefs and selected papers will be disseminated through partner institutions and international platforms. The report will also submit to UNU-IAS/IPSI。
- Long-Term Follow-Up
Partnerships formed during the event will be monitored through IPSI’s collaborative mechanisms.
Follow-up activities, including joint publications and pilot SEPLS-based carbon projects, will be tracked as indicators of sustained impact.
Contact
SEPLS Carbon Credit Regional Revitalization Center
Prof. Yen Hsun Su, National Cheng Kung University
Prof. Huey-Jen Jenny Su, National Cheng Kung University Research & Development Foundation
Prof. Shu-Mei Wang, National Taiwan University
Prof. Jyh-Ming Ting, National Cheng Kung University
Prof. Wei-Sheng Chen, National Cheng Kung University
Prof. Jenn-Ming Song, National Chung Hsing University
Prof. Chao-Cheng Kaun, Research Center for Applied Sciences, Academia Sinica (RCAS)
Prof. Jeng-Han Li, Department of Resources Engineering, National Cheng Kung University
Dr. Chen-Piao Yen, Tainan New Agricultural Biotechnology Production Cooperative
Dr. Amit Sharma, National Cheng Kung University
Agency of Rural Development and Soil and Water Conservation
Mr. Kung-Chung Lo, Agency of Rural Development and Soil and Water Conservation