Protecting biodiversity and advancing scientific research are now essential to tackling global environmental challenges. Aware of this responsibility, Daikin Applied Europe continues to promote concrete initiatives that support innovation and the dissemination of scientific knowledge.
A significant example is the 12th edition of the Daikin Prize for Biodiversity Conservation, hosted at the company's headquarters in Cecchina and organized in collaboration with the Department of Biology and Biotechnology "Charles Darwin" of Sapienza University of Rome.
The initiative reflects Daikin's commitment to strengthening the dialogue between industry and academia, recognizing the contribution of new generations of researchers in understanding and addressing today's environmental challenges.
We live in an era where climate change, biodiversity loss, and increasing pressure on natural resources are creating ever more complex challenges. In this context, scientific research is an essential tool for understanding ongoing phenomena, developing innovative solutions, and identifying effective strategies to protect ecosystems.
For Daikin, investing in knowledge means making a tangible contribution to building a more resilient future. The company continuously promotes the development of advanced technologies, the adoption of responsible practices, and the support of research projects capable of generating value for both society and the environment.
It is from this vision that the Daikin Prize for Biodiversity Conservation was created, an initiative that fosters dialogue among businesses, universities, and the scientific community, creating growth opportunities for young researchers and supporting studies capable of turning knowledge into concrete action.
Supporting research means investing in the skills, tools, and ideas that will help address tomorrow's environmental challenges, promoting progress based on innovation and collaboration among different stakeholders in society.
The 2026 edition of the award recognized the work of researcher Luigi Cao Pinna, author of the doctoral thesis:
"Modelling Alien Species in the Mediterranean Basin: Current Invasion Hotspots and Future Predictions"
The research focuses on invasive plant species in the Mediterranean Basin, analyzing current biological invasion hotspots and developing predictive models to better understand their future evolution.
The study's findings contribute to a deeper understanding of biological invasion dynamics, providing valuable tools to support ecosystem prevention, monitoring, and management activities, with particular attention to the most vulnerable areas.
The Daikin Prize for Biodiversity Conservation is one of the initiatives through which Daikin puts the principles of the Daikin Environmental Vision 2050 into practice. This global strategy guides the Group's commitment to a development model focused on innovation, responsible resource management, and the creation of long-term value for future generations.
This vision is based on the belief that environmental challenges cannot be addressed by a single actor alone, but require collaboration among businesses, institutions, universities, and the scientific community. For this reason, Daikin promotes an integrated approach that combines technological progress, knowledge sharing, and skills development.
Within this framework, support for scientific research plays a central role. Through the Daikin Prize, the company invests in young talent and recognizes research projects that help improve our understanding of environmental phenomena while identifying innovative solutions for the future.
With more than a century of technological innovation experience, Daikin continues to place people, knowledge, and collaboration at the heart of its activities, fostering dialogue between academia and industry. The award represents far more than a recognition of excellence: it is an opportunity to transform research into tangible value, creating a bridge between scientific excellence and real-world application.
Supporting the next generation of researchers today means contributing to the development of the skills, ideas, and solutions that will help address tomorrow's environmental challenges, promoting progress driven by knowledge and innovation.