Daikin funds nearly 5.5 million euros to protect forests

Brussels, 22^nd April: Daikin pledges to fund a total of 900 million JPY  (5.47 million EUR) over the next decade to protect forests around the world. Leading up to its 100^th anniversary, Daikin is expanding its ‘Forests for the Air’ project, through which it supports NGOs in their global forest conservation efforts. Together, they have already safeguarded approximately 11 million hectares of forests over the past decade, effectively reducing 7 million tonnes of CO₂ emissions. 

The world’s leading provider of heating, cooling, ventilation, air purification and refrigeration (HVAC-R) technology originally launched its “Forests for the Air” project 10 years ago in 2014. Over the past decade, Daikin already invested 500 million JPY (3 million EUR) to support forests around the globe to both preserve the environment and contribute to local communities in Liberia, Cambodia, Brazil’s Amazon basin, India, Indonesia and China.

From April 2024 onwards, Daikin is enhancing support in the Amazon basin, Shiretoko (Japan), Indonesia, India and China, while also expanding support to new locations such as Ethiopia and Iriomote Island, a World Natural Heritage Site in Japan.

Signing ceremony held at the Iriomote Wildlife Conservation Center on Iriomote Island

Air is essential to our existence. Daikin considers forests to be ‘nature’s air conditioner’ since the water vapour provided by tree leaves keeps atmospheric temperatures from rising, and the processes of photosynthesis and respiration purify the atmosphere. 

These activities go beyond simple tree planting and involve local stakeholders taking the initiative for sustainable forest conservation. Measures include environmental education and support of agriculture as an alternative source of income to deforestation that offers a sustainable livelihood to local residents. This way, Daikin has created unique initiatives in support of conservation, and its employees also actively participate in local activities. By working together with NGOs and local residents in each region, Daikin hopes to preserve these rich natural environments for future generations.

In Ethiopia in Eastern Africa, Daikin’s support is enabling tree-planting and forest conservation activities in areas at risk of desertification. By starting this project, we want to avoid that fertile Ethiopian land becomes increasingly arid and desert-like. The goal is for the soil to keep its ability to support vegetation and sustain life, allowing plants, people and animals to find food and water.

Reforestation activities with local support in Ethiopia

Activities will focus on protecting a subtropical forest in the eastern part of the island that is home to endemic species such as the Iriomote wildcat, sustaining the condition of Japan’s largest mangrove forest that surrounds the island and regenerating sea forests and seagrass beds to support biodiversity.