In recent years, global environmental problem has been one of the important tasks for us to tackle because of an increase in energy consumption and the accelerated pace of global warming following the economic development in many countries around the world. The environmental problem, however, is complicatedly entwined with various factors and therefore, it’s not simple and easy to find out its causes and solutions. Moreover, political intentions, people eager to earn a profit from it, distorted views of environmental organizations, etc. all unite in making the problem much more complex. The essence of the global environmental problem is becoming even harder for us to grasp.

Also in the air conditioning and refrigeration industry, finding solutions to the environmental problem is a big task, since it is pointed out that ozone layer was destroyed by refrigerants and that refrigerants have effect on global warming. To protect the world’s environment and realize the sustainable development of human beings, we are urgently needed to find out answers to the problem based on the scientific facts and knowledge.

Japan’s environmental and energy technologies enabled the country to achieve the high level of economic growth after overcoming the environmental pollution in 1970s and two times of oil crises. It is internationally recognized that Japan’s heat pump technology, in particular, stands at the highest level in the world. With these technologies, Japan will be able to fully contribute to solving international problems of the environment and energy, and in fact, Japan’s contribution is expected internationally.

In Japan, it is undeniable that, at the discussion table of science and technology where the country should make the best use of its advanced technologies, the essence of the environmental and energy problem is becoming difficult to understand because of the one-sided assertions by environmentalists and profit-making stance by business people. Also, it is pointed out that academic circles, mainly universities, which should play a leading role in the environmental and energy problem, do not fulfill their role sufficiently in working out Japan’s policy because their studies are too subdivided. For Japan to make the most use of its superb technologies, I think it necessary for the industry, government and academia to get together as the team ALL JAPAN and contribute to the international community by sending out information to the world on its advanced technologies.

In light of the above-mentioned situations and their questions, we at the Environment and Energy Network 21 will clarify the facts and the actual state of the environmental and energy problem with academic ground as our base and send out information to the world based on the essential, scientific facts. In addition, by making recommendations on feasible measures for the environment and energy, we aim at providing support for an environmental policy the government promotes, spreading and encouraging that policy, as well as contributing to improvement of the global environment. In carrying out our mission, we will stand on neutral, academic ground and keep in contact with intellectuals, common citizens, business groups, administration, as well as institutions and organizations both at home and abroad, and we will open as much information as possible to the public.