Cool the Earth
* The organizer of this contest is Eco Business Creation Association and the manager of the web site is NTT Resonant Inc.
- Winners of the "Cool the Earth" Idea Contest
- >> Winners of the "Cool the Earth" Idea Contest
- The award ceremony of the "Cool the Earth" Idea Contest
- >> The award ceremony of the "Cool the Earth" Idea Contest
Concept
With the aim of curbing global warming as much as possible and keeping the earth "cool", we are calling for ideas from around the world for reducing carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. Based on the innovative ideas we receive, prototype projects will be conducted in Japan to establish models for reducing emissions. The results of these projects will be reported to the global community in the hope that this will promote further innovation towards reducing CO2 emissions.
Current Situation and Background
As the first commitment period under the Kyoto Protocol approaches, hot debate about global warming is taking place around the world. At the most recent G8 summit, G8 members agreed to strive to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by 2050. It is now time for all sectors; industry, government, academia and the private sector, to work to bring about significant changes. In particular, now is the time for Japan, which chaired the conference which gave birth to the Kyoto Protocol, to take the initiative in gathering ideas from all over the world and promote effective strategies.
- * For reference about environmental initiatives in Japan, visit:
-
>> Latest Articles on Information Center
>> Introduction to Japan
Schedule
If you haven't applied yet, here is a good news!
In response to requests mainly from high school and college teachers, who expressed their interests to encourage their students to consider application, the deadline will be extended one more week -- from Sept. 5th to Sept. 12th.
We look forward to receiving your applications!
Idea Submission Period: July 19th - September 12th 2007 (5:00PM(Japan
time))
Final Results Announced: October 18th (Winners will be informed by e-mail)
Awards Ceremony: December 13th , 14th, or 15th (at Eco-Products 2007 exhibition)
Applications Closed
Thank you for your applications we received from all over the world. The final results will be announced on this website at a later date.
Eligible Applicants
Corporations, non-governmental organizations, non-profit organizations, volunteer groups, and individuals from around the world. (Ideas may be submitted either in English or Japanese.)
Entry Divisions
Business Division (domestic / overseas)
We are calling for ideas for new business models which contribute to reducing CO2 emissions. We are looking for ideas that can be applied to going forward, not ideas that are aimed at expanding the markets of existing businesses. Applicants are not required to have relevant business experience.
Governmental System/Policy Division (domestic / overseas)
We are calling for ideas to establish systems and policies which can be utilized by national or local governments. We welcome ideas for removing barriers that hinder new businesses start-up, or ideas for schemes aimed at encouraging people to change their lifestyles to reduce CO2 emissions. Ideas do not have to be consistent nor comply with current Japanese systems, regulations, etc.
- * Applicants who reside in Japan may apply in the domestic division only. Applicants who reside outside Japan may apply in the overseas division only.
Prizes for Winners
1) Grand prizes will be awarded to up to four people or entities as follows:
Winners from abroad will be awarded a portion of travel and accommodation expenses to attend the awards ceremony (awarded only if winner attends ceremony)
Winners from Japan will be taken on an eco-tour to learn about the latest in global warming.
2) Special Prize from Supporting Company: Amita Award:
50,000 yen(nearly
equivalent to 430 US dollars) awarded to an excellent applicant other than Grand prize winners.
Steering Body
Organizer: Eco Business Creation Association (in alphabetical order)
(16 Members: Amita Corporation, Itoki Corporation, Kajima Corporation, Kanagawa Prefectural Government, Kawasaki City Government, LLP (Limited Liability Partnership) EcoDesign Institute, Meidensha Corporation, Nippon Koei Co., Ltd., Nomura Research Institute, Ltd., NPO Eco Forum 21, NTT Resonant Inc., Okamura Corporation, Orix Co. Ltd., Tokyo Electric Power Company and Tokyo Gas Co., Ltd.)
Additional Support: NTT Resonant Inc., Japan for Sustainability (JFS)
Logomark designed by open house inc., LLP Eco Design institute
- * The Eco Business Creation Association was established in February 2002 with the aim of developing truly sustainable socio-economic activities while changing the current socio-economic system, which has encouraged mass production and mass disposal, thereby resulting in serious impacts on the environment. Today 16 companies make up the association and cooperate in testing new business models which could not be performed by just one company.
Contact Information:
Shiro Hosojima, Japan for Sustainability (supporter of contest)
E-mail: cooltheearth@japanfs.org
(for inquiries or information in Japanese, contact Etsuko Kobayashi, "Cool the Earth" Idea Contest Office, c/o Amita Corporation.
28 Banchi, Sanbancho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, 102-0075 Japan
E-mail: cool-the-earth@amita-net.co.jp)
Judging Method
Judging Criteria
Submitted ideas will be judged based on the following 3 criteria:
- 1) Innovativeness
Global warming is a relatively new issue and therefore requires us to change our conventional habits and ways of thinking. We will be judging whether ideas are new, and we are looking for ideas that are creative and innovative, thus being different from ones which have already been applied. - 2) Viability
You should be able to demonstrate concrete goals or plans of action to explain how you would like to implement your idea. We will look at whether your idea demonstrates not only a concept but also has concrete and practical suggestions. - 3) Effectiveness (for CO2 emissions reduction)
You should be able to show that your idea is effective in curbing global warming. We will judge to what extent greenhouse gas reduction is achievable based on an applicant's proposed model and whether supporting evidence is stated rationally. Values for all non-CO2 greenhouse gases should be stated as CO2 equivalent.
- * For reference about conversion, visit the following:
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>> 2006 IPCC Guidelines for National Greenhouse Gas Inventories (IPCC)
>> Review of the implementation of commitments and of other provisions of the Convention. UNFCCC guidelines on reporting and review (UNFCCC)
The allotment of marks
Innovativeness: 20 points
Viability: 20 points
Effectiveness: 10 points
Total: 50 points
Judging Process
The ideas which pass the first round of screening by Eco Business Creation Association will go through a second screening by leaders in the fields mentioned below:
A brief description of some of the ideas which pass the first examination will be published on the website.
* Examiners
Fumikazu Masuda: Professor of Tokyo Zokei University
Ryoichi Yamamoto: the Professor at the Institute of Industrial Science, University of Tokyo
- Fumikazu Masuda:
- The theme of this contest sounds grand; however, it's more like consulting someone on how we can live our lives more respectably from now on. I think that, in many ways, we have grown too quickly over the last one or two centuries. The pace in this past half-century was particularly extraordinary. Now that many have come to this realization, they want to return to simpler lifestyles and to preserve them for future ages. But the question remains: how can we change our stress-filled modern society, economy and culture? I have focused on the reduction of atmospheric CO2 concentration, an increasingly prevalent concern, as an indicator, simply because it is relatively simple to monitor the effects. However, I encourage you to propose new social and lifestyle choices, rather than technologies, to curb and eliminate CO2 emissions.