NEWS

On December 2, 2024, Food Bank Irodori*, a student organization at APU, received the Climate Change Action Youth Award in the Outreach and Promotion Category of the 2024 Climate Change Action Minister of the Environment Awards. This award, established in 1998, recognizes individuals and organizations that have made outstanding contributions to climate change mitigation (efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions) and climate change adaptation (measures to avoid or minimize damage caused by climate change impacts). Food Bank Irodori was the only student organization recognized in this year's awards. The Climate Change Action Youth Award specifically acknowledges youth-driven activities that promote future climate change actions.

Food Bank Irodori is the only food bank in Japan run entirely by students. Since being selected for APU's Project B support program in November 2023, the organization has worked to raise awareness of Japan's food loss issues and deliver food to those in need. Its initiatives include hosting food pantries on campus and in the Kamegawa area, where food donated by food banks and companies is distributed free of charge, and providing food to children's cafeterias and welfare facilities in Beppu City.

In just 11 months from the start of its activities to September 2024, the group achieved a reduction of 5.6 tons of food waste, with over 1,000 participants involved in its efforts. These achievements, along with their significant impact on raising awareness of food loss issues among students and local residents, earned them this prestigious award.

*In October 2024, the group changed its name from Food Pantry Irodori to Food Bank Irodori

Comment from Representative Shuta Komizo (2nd year from the College of Sustainability and Tourism, Japan)

We are honored to have received the Climate Change Action Youth Award under the 2024 Climate Change Action Minister of the Environment Awards. Our activities are driven by two goals: reducing food loss and supporting those in need of food assistance, thereby addressing environmental issues while contributing to social welfare. It is a great privilege to have our efforts recognized in this way.
I would like to take this opportunity to express my deepest gratitude to everyone who has been part of our journey—my fellow members who work alongside me, the friends and faculty members who support us, the residents of the Kamegawa area, and the companies and organizations that have cooperated with us. Moving forward, we will continue to prioritize sustaining our activities and dedicate ourselves wholeheartedly to our mission. Thank you for your continued support.