The 11th edition of the Daikin Prize for Biodiversity Conservation was held at a dedicated event on 11th September. The event was hosted at the headquarters of Daikin Applied Europe in Italy. A live stream enabled remote participants from across the industry to engage and share knowledge in real time.
Over the years, the Daikin Prize for Biodiversity Conservation has recognised the work of outstanding young researchers who are shaping the future of environmental science. Each edition has highlighted a unique perspective on biodiversity, reflecting the richness and diversity of the field itself. Daikin chose to establish and support this initiative as the values of sustainability, innovation, and social responsibility align deeply with the company’s own. The annual award is organised in collaboration with Sapienza University of Rome, specifically the Department of Biology and Biotechnology Charles Darwin, which plays a central role in the selection process, as well as in the organisation and promotion of the initiative. Young researchers submit proposals to compete for the prize, which are evaluated by a panel of experts based on scientific merit, originality, and alignment with the award’s objectives. The winner is announced at a dedicated event, and sustainability, innovation, and social responsibility align deeply with the company’s own values.
This year, the award was presented to Dr. Elena Gazzea for her PhD thesis titled Ecology and Conservation of Pollinators in Forest and Agricultural Landscapes. Elena Gazzea is currently a postdoctoral researcher in the Crop Science program at the University of Padova. The results of her research have significantly advanced our understanding of pollinator ecology in understudied environments, evaluated practical conservation options, and proposed strategies for safeguarding pollinators and the essential ecosystem services they provide. This thesis is particularly important because pollinators play a critical role in maintaining ecosystem health and supporting global food security.
Looking back at the previous edition of the award, in the 2024 edition, the prize was awarded to Arianna Pansini, this time for her research on Posidonia oceanica, a key marine plant species vital for biodiversity and carbon absorption. Over the years, the award has recognised the work of many outstanding young researchers: Emiliano Mori (2015), Luca Santini (2016), Michela Pacifici (2017), Giacomo Assandri (2018), Gianmaria Bonari (2019), Olivia Dondina (2020), Manuele Bazzichetto (2021), Costanza Geppert (2022), and Jacopo Calevo (2023). Each of them has made a unique contribution to the advancement of ecological and conservation sciences, addressing different perspectives of biodiversity and offering new perspectives on its protection.
Awarded studies have explored critical themes such as the impact of human-induced environmental changes—like habitat loss, climate change, and invasive species—on terrestrial vertebrates; the effects of extreme climate events on the functioning of ecosystems; and how global warming and human activities influence plant distribution and interactions with pollinators. This diversity of research reflects the prize’s mission to support scientific excellence that not only advances knowledge but also contributes to the protection and resilience of natural systems.
For Daikin, sustainability is not merely a goal but a guiding principle that informs every aspect of its operations. As the only company in the world that manufactures both HVAC-R systems and the refrigerants used within them, Daikin holds a unique position in leading the transition toward a low-carbon future. Through its Environmental Vision 2050, the company is committed to achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions across the entire product lifecycle—from design and production to usage and end-of-life.
This long-term vision is supported by tangible actions: Daikin invests in energy-efficient technologies, promotes the use of low-GWP refrigerants, and develops solutions such as heat pumps that are essential to the decarbonization of buildings. The company also works to establish a circular economy for refrigerants, collaborating with governments and industry stakeholders to enable their recovery, recycling, and reuse. Daikin’s roadmap includes ambitious targets, such as reducing emissions by 50% by 2030 compared to a business-as-usual scenario. All its manufacturing sites are expected to achieve net-zero emissions by the same year. In line with its Group Philosophy and Environmental Vision 2050, Daikin is actively addressing a wide range of social and environmental challenges. The company practices environmental management not only to ensure its sustainable growth but also to contribute meaningfully to the broader development of a sustainable society.