The International Institute for Carbon-Neutral Energy Research (WPI-I²CNER), Kyushu University, held the “2026 I²CNER Annual Symposium” on January 26, 2026.

The symposium was organized under the theme “Challenge and Innovation for a Carbon-Neutral Society and Beyond,” providing a platform to present cutting-edge research and future directions toward realizing a carbon‑neutral society.

The symposium opened with welcome remarks delivered by President Ishibashi of Kyushu University, Program Director Ukawa of the World Premier International Research Center Initiative (WPI), and Director Ishihara of I²CNER. The program continued with invited talks from five distinguished speakers from the University of Sydney, the University at Buffalo–State University of New York, the University of Ottawa, Hokkaido University, and the University of Tokyo as well as presentations by three I²CNER researchers in relevant research fields. Through the three-session program, research findings from a wide range of fields were presented. Additionally, a poster session led by I²CNER’s early-career researchers facilitated further exchange of research outcomes and discussions on the potential for technological developments from multiple perspectives.

On January 27, two I²CNER Thrust Workshops were held, followed by the I²CNER CESD (Center for Energy Systems Design) Workshop on January 28. These workshops brought together researchers from various fields and featured presentations on the latest research findings, emerging technical challenges, and future prospects for social implementation.

Across the three-day program, more than 200 participants attended the symposium and workshops, fostering academic exchanges among domestic and international participants from diverse fields.

The symposium and associated workshops served as an important opportunity to reaffirm the significance of promoting research toward a carbon-neutral society through collaboration among academia, industry, government, and international partners.