FOCUS ON ENERGY REDUCTION PROMTED BY NEW LEGISLATION
The last decade has seen the emergence of stringent regulations to combat global warming and reduce energy consumption. So year after year, we continue to look for improvements and opportunities to develop heating and cooling products that can lead to a further decrease in energy consumption and CO2 emissions. That is why we continue to focus on R&D and the opportunities this can present to the environment.

A specific example of the focus on energy reduction can be found in the recast version of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive. This new Directive states that all new buildings should be nearly zero energy buildings by 2020. Daikin did not wait for this legislation to take action. Together with a number of renowned European research institutes, we are setting up a test project in Germany to equip a newly-built office building with renewable energy solutions that include our heat pump technology and solar cells. This project is of paramount importance in our continued efforts to take the lead in initiating green technology.

ENVIRONMENTAL EFFORTS: IN ALL OF US A GREEN HEART
Our care for the environment is not only reflected in the design of more energy efficient products. We have also multiplied our efforts and actions to make our factories more energy-efficient.
We raise the awareness among our employees concerning energy use and the environmental impact of their daily activities in the company and their role in relieving the burden on the environment. All these efforts help to improve our ISO 14001 environmental management system. It is a major effort to educate our stakeholders – affiliates, dealers, customers, etc. – on the role they play in protecting our environment, but it is a task we are happy to assume.

AWARDS: QUALITY INDICATORS
Daikin products have won numerous awards again this year, proving that our systems are among the best in the industry. In the UK, Daikin Altherma won two prestigious honours at the Rushlight Awards 2009 in recognition of its contribution to renewable energy technology, while VRV® III Heat Recovery and Biddle Air Curtains were elected Product of the Year by the UK journal H&V News. Still in the UK, a major refurbishment project using Daikin Altherma air source heat pumps and solar thermal renewable technologies won the National Energy Action (NEA) award.

All of these topics and many more are covered in detail in this 2010 Environmental Report, which we hope will encourage you to share our enthusiasm and eagerness for a more sustainable
environment.

Enjoy your reading!