The Basic Concept of Ecotechnology

The development and dissemination of science and technology that began with the 19th-century Industrial Revolution have on the one hand brought great blessings to humanity such as the creation of pleasant living environments and increased food production, while on the other hand they have caused environmental damage by the mass consumption of fossil fuels and natural resources.

The following perspectives are important when working to overcome the harm caused by the development of science and technology, and considering what kind of new technologies we need for happiness of humanity.

First, consider the future; i.e., do not make future generations pay the debts of the present.

Second, consider the weak in certain regions; i.e., do not allow industrial activities of the developed countries to damage the environments of developing countries, or impose the environmental burdens of urban activities on outlying regions.

And third, consider symbiosis or coexistence; i.e., provide for the prosperity of humanity and the coprosperity of and coexistence with a diversity of other species while maintaining a balance between humans and other parts of the global ecosystem.

One more thing we must consider apart from the matter of our burden on the global environment is the exhaustion of energy and resources, which will likely become manifest in the 21st century.

Although the increasing burden on the global environment and the exhaustion of energy and resources are intrinsically problems of different dimensions, they are closely linked because both are caused by the sharply rising consumption of energy and resources.

In order to make sustainable development possible while at the same time protecting the global environment, NIRE proposed a new technology concept called "ecotechnology" from a scientific and technological perspective. This concept represents a fusion of the "technology" with "ecology" in the broad sense, as well as its basic principle of cycles and regeneration, and the system of symbiosis.

The Role of NIRE

Our role is to perform basic research aimed at creating ecotechnology. The research areas can be roughly divided into the following three categories.

First is technology development for maximum energy and resource utilization (MERU), which includes the development of energy-conserving technologies, resource-conserving technologies, and technologies for developing new resources. Second is technology development for minimum environmental impact (MEI), which includes the development of processes whose emissions of environmentally burdensome substances are smaller than existing processes, of technologies for recovering and treating such substances, and of technologies for environmental restoration. Third is the development and implementation of technology of impact assessment (TIA), which includes life cycle assessments, environmental impact assessments for pollutants, safety assessments for chemical substances, assessments of energy supply and demand predictions, and social hazard assessments. NIRE conducts research for MERU and MEI technologies on the basis of TIA feedback in an effort to create truly environment-friendly technologies.

From its stance of contributing to the happiness and prosperity of humanity through advances in science and technology, the National Institute for Resources and Environment has promoted research in the areas of both industry and environment, such as resource development, energy, and pollution control technologies, and NIRE has endeavored to make the results widely available. Henceforth we shall continue conducting research under the concept of "creating ecotechnologies for sustainable development," which entails taking advantage of existing potentials in pursuing further happiness for humanity while protecting the global environment.

Ecotechnology and the Social Role of NIRE

New Energy Sources

New Resources and Materials

Countermeasure and Treatment Technology

Environmental Measuring and Monitoring Technologies

Impacts on Our Surroundings (the Environment)