The Mitsui & Co. Environment Fund
Introduction to Grant Projects
Biomass Industrial Society Network (BIN)
Holding public round-table conferences on sustainable biomass resource usage and developing a national movement
Activity grant
- Project Description
Biomass fuel use is being promoted as an important measure for reducing greenhouse gases and revitalizing agriculture, but issues have been raised, including competition with food staple crops, increased demand for water, and impact on ecosystems. In Japan, although a government-led committee has been established, discussion on matters such as the environment at production areas and social context has not been very active. This project aims to raise the environmental and social impact and sustainability of biomass resources as discussion points to encourage active and comprehensive debate on the issues, as well as implement the following actions to form a base for a national movement:
(1) conduct an evaluation of the environmental and social impact of resource production comparing resource type and production areas in Asia, Europe, the Americas, and Africa,
(2) test international theories on sustainable resource production and use,
(3) compile a collection of successful case-studies for sustainable biomass resources, and
(4) hold citizen round-table discussions and the like.
- Fields
- Climate changeMarine resources/foodPreservation of surface soil and forestsEnergy problemPreservation of biodiversity and ecosystem
- Grant year
- FY2008 Activity Grants
- Grant term
- 3 years
April 2009 - March 2012
- Grant amount
- 9,600,000 yen
- Activity region
- Brazil, Europe, Japan
Overview of the Organization
- Representative
- Miyuki Tomari Nakamura, Director
- Establishment
- 1999
- Establishment purpose
- To encourage the biologically and socially appropriate, sustainable application of materials such as wood and agricultural waste for uses including as a biomass energy resource or construction material, with the aim of building a recycling-based society.
- Main areas of activity
- Japan, overseas
- Staff
- 1 full-time staff member. 3 part-time staff members, 500 full members
- Annual operating budget
- 129.35 million yen in 2006, 7.83 million yen in 2007, 9.26 million yen in 2008
- WEB site
- http://www.npobin.net
- Recent activities
- Engaged in implementing initiatives, conducting research, raising awareness through methods such as holding seminars, and writing and distributing white papers on biomass in order to promote the economically, environmentally and socially appropriate, sustainable use of biomass resources such as wood chips, and agricultural and food waste.