Daikin aims to achieve its environmental protection targets by having the entire Group work as one.The Global Environment Department in Japan oversees efforts by environmental managers for each of the major regions such as Japan, Europe, and China.
Advanced efforts in Japan to deal with reducing environmental burden at plants are used as models for action at worldwide bases. However, it is the local management and staff who are responsible for their own efforts, and these efforts must be appropriate to the situation at each base.
Recent years have seen rising air-conditioner demand in Europe. Daikin responded to this by establishing Daikin Industries Czech Republic s.r.o., its second air-conditioner production base in Europe, in Pilsen in September 2003.
Before establishing the plant, we had to educate the local community on air-conditioners and air-conditioner plants. While homes in the Czech Republic are heated by central heating or fireplaces during winters that drop as low as -20°C, air-conditioner use is rare since summer temperatures range between a relatively cool 17°C and 28°C. Before a plant can be built in the Czech Republic, companies must go through an application process that involves gathering the opinions of locals, and unless they are satisfied that a plant will not cause environmental problems, the facility cannot be built.Environmental NGOs offered opinions and posed questions,and Daikin responded by explaining in detail how air-conditioners are used, the company's environmental protection policy, and measures to reduce environmental burden. These efforts at last helped us gain the approval of local citizens.
As well, Daikin used its Shiga Plant as a model in creating energy-efficient production lines and other new facilities for the control of waste water, exhaust air, and waste materials.
In particular, we strove to eliminate emissions of fluorocarbons (refrigerants), which are greenhouse gases. For example, during quality inspections, we use helium gas,which is not a greenhouse gas.
