The reduction of all greenhouse gases is an extremely important issue. However, this research area will deal only with innovative technologies relating to fossil-fuel derived CO₂ emissions. Basically, it will not encompass the reduction of methane, carbon monoxide, or CFCs.
　It goes without saying that harmonious cooperation is necessary between the energy supplier and energy consumer in the reduction of fossil-fuel derived CO₂ emissions. In the first year of research at least, however, priority will be given to research proposals on the supply-side. This is because development of the supply side requires more time and because the hurdles to be cleared are higher in changing the social system currently associated with the supply side. Still, we will maintain the stance that cooperation with the consumption side is inevitably necessary and therefore we will give proper consideration to proposals from the energy consumption side as well.
　Proposals from the energy supply side embrace an exceedingly wide area, from research into high-tech solar power generation devices to effective uses of bio-energy. As our aim is to place this research area within the framework of environmental research, it is important for the person who heads each research area to appreciate the positioning of his or her own research within the wider context and to realize fully its social role. Therefore, no matter how close the research stands to the cutting edge, if it is solely devoted to being a trailblazer in scientific terms, higher evaluation will be given to proposals that have a firmer grasp of its interface with the real world and have committed this to writing. The reason for such priority is our awareness of the fact that, although an environmental research proposal may have excellent constituent elements, it cannot expect to prevail among people unless it is socially accepted.
　We adopt the same attitude towards research on the energy consumption side. Naturally, the need for outstanding technology is extremely great, but it also has to be technology that can be accepted naturally by the general public who are to use it.
　In short, creating an “innovative technology portfolio” of technologies that will be commercialized is another aim of this research area. Such are the basic perceptions on which work should be based: all Research Teams should regard themselves as members of “a virtual lab.” They should become more deeply aware of their contact with society at large. Our great hope is for some spin-off effects to arise, for the Teams perhaps to instigate a movement in society.
　In summary, we are asking the research proposal to offer the distinctive elements of leading-edge science and social benefit/all-encompassing view. Applicants should understand that this is because the aim of this research area is to generate seeds of technologies with a strong potential for diffusion that can start around 2020 to 2030. Therefore, we call for applications of excellent proposals from a broad range of areas and from a wide perspective - proposals that would enable innovative technological development to materialize. Applicants should ensure that the research path and timescale can be foreseen in concrete terms, for example through research scenarios and milestones.

Problem in 2008 fiscal year : 6