On behalf of the conference committee, I would like to welcome all of you participating in the 15th Biennial International Conference on EcoBalance (EcoBalance 2022). As an international conference with the main theme of life cycle assessment, the first International Conference on EcoBalance was held in 1994. We are very proud of the history of this conference, approaching 30 years since its foundation. This historical success is largely attributable to our EcoBalance family, who have contributed to the conference over the years. After the challenging situation due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this year we gladly welcome all EcoBalance participants to both Fukuoka city in person, and online in a new hybrid format EcoBalance conference.

Living within planetary boundaries is of primary importance toward achieving sustainability. Diverse activities across the world in various fields: industry, policy, finance, and science in particular, have been creating strong momentum towards carbon neutrality. We believe that life cycle thinking has the power to progress the required paradigm shifts by connecting such activities with a bird’s-eye view of the complex systems that contribute to nature and human society. We would like to create opportunities to advance practice and science, and to connect participants and partners to promote the changes needed to ensure a bright future. With this in mind, the conference theme has been decided as "Shifting Paradigms with Life Cycle Thinking".

I sincerely thank all of you for participating in the conference, as well as our sponsors, review contributors, and International Advisory Board members for providing your cooperation and support toward holding this conference. I earnestly hope that in participating in this conference, through the time you spend here and the people that you meet in Fukuoka will provide you with a fruitful and rewarding experience.

We look forward to seeing you in Fukuoka.

Masaharu Motoshita

National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST)
Conference chair, EcoBalance 2022