Formation of Regional Circular Ecological Sphere Based on Woody Biomass Resources: A Case Study of Aso Oguni-go, Kumamoto

Abstract

Aso Oguni-gun, Kumamoto Prefecture, which consists of Oguni Town and Minami Oguni Town, is forming a Regional Circular Ecological Sphere (Regional CES) through the use of woody biomass. Based on a case study of Aso Oguni-gun, this paper discusses the formation of a Regional CES based on woody biomass from four perspectives: 1) time axis, 2) spatial axis, 3) effective use of existing resources, and 4) disaster response. It was shown that it is important to have a roadmap based on an accumulation of policies and initiatives and a long-term vision, to have cooperation beyond/among local governments, to make effective use of existing resources, especially those of private businesses stakeholders, and to stock locally produced energy such as firewood for emergency use in times of disaster.