PROFILE

Takuma Watari, PhD
Contact: watari.takuma(at)nies.go.jp
Biography
I am a Senior Researcher at the National Institute for Environmental Studies (Japan) and an Adjunct Fellow at the University of Technology Sydney (Australia). Previously, I worked at the University of Cambridge (UK) and Leiden University (Netherlands).
My research focuses on sustainable materials and energy systems, with particular emphasis on industrial decarbonisation and the responsible supply of critical materials. I address these topics by integrating traditional engineering principles with systems analysis methods, including material flow analysis, energy systems modelling, and life cycle assessment.
I received my PhD from the University of Tokyo (Japan) in 2021, where I won the Dean’s Award and was the first student in the department to complete the PhD program within a two-year timeframe.
Research Areas
Industrial Ecology, Energy System, Resource Efficiency
External Links
Awards
- The 2024 ES&T Best Paper Award (Second Joint Runner-Up)
Environmental Science & Technology, 2025
- Jean-Sébastien Thomas Award
Society and Materials International Conference, 2025
- Most Cited Paper Award 2023
Resources, Conservation & Recycling, 2024
- Excellence in Review Award 2022
Resources, Conservation & Recycling, 2023
- Most Downloaded Paper Award 2022
Resources, Conservation & Recycling, 2023
- Most Cited Paper Award 2022
Resources, Conservation & Recycling, 2023
- Dean’s Award
University of Tokyo, 2022

