Overview of the Progress in the Implementation of the Action Plan for GHG Emission Reduction in Government Operations in FY 2002

August 28, 2003

Pursuant to the Climate Change Policy Law (Law No. 117 of 1998) and the Basic Policy on Measures to Tackle Global Warming (Cabinet decision of April 9, 1999), the government formulated the Action Plan for Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction in Government Operations (approved by the Cabinet on July 19, 2002, hereinafter referred to as "Government GHG Reduction Action Plan"). The government announced the progress in the implementation of the Government GHG Reduction Action Plan in FY 2002.

1. Status of greenhouse gas emission from government operations

The Government GHG Reduction Action Plan aims at reducing 7% of the total amount of greenhouse gases emitted directly or indirectly from government operations by FY 2006, using FY 2001 as the base year, through active implementation of measures set forth in the plan.

The aggregate greenhouse gas emission from government operations in FY 2002 was 1,976,622 tons CO₂, an increase of 0.4% compared to the base year.

*	The emission coefficient stipulated by the Cabinet Ordinance Partially Amending the Enforcement Ordinance of the Climate Change Policy Law (Cabinet Ordinance No. 396 of 2002) was used in the estimation of aggregate greenhouse gas emission.
*	Government-related organizations such as independent administrative institutions and public corporations (including entities that plan to adopt such forms of organization by FY 2006) were excluded.

2. Results of other target values

The Government GHG Emission Reduction Action Plan sets several objectives besides the aggregate greenhouse gas emission. Their results in FY 2001 (the base year) and in FY 2002 are as follows:

Notes:	1.	Government-related organizations such as independent administrative institutions and public corporations (including entities that plan to adopt such forms of organization by FY 2006) were excluded.
	2.	GJ (giga joule): G (giga) means one billion and J (joule) is a SI unit of energy.

3. Status of the implementation of specific measures with no numerical targets

Among the specific measures that do not have numerical targets, some measures have been satisfactorily implemented while others have not. Some of the measures with satisfactory implementation status and with delayed implementation are highlighted as follows.

(1)	Considerations for the procurement and use of goods and services Satisfactorily implemented measures are: -    Introduction of low-emission vehicles for official use, including fuel cell vehicles. -    Use of office supplies, uniforms/work clothes, etc. made of recycled materials. At the headquarters of ministries and agencies, environmentally friendly driving habits, such as elimination of unnecessary idling when using official vehicles, is one of the measures satisfactorily implemented.
(2)	Considerations for the construction and management of buildings proper regulation of air-conditioning and heating temperatures in government offices was satisfactorily implemented. The introduction of facilities to utilize solar energy, etc. is a measure that has been delayed in implementation. Measures that have been delayed in implementation at local branch offices or bureaus include: -    Introduction of facilities utilizing photovoltaic generation. -    Greening of the outer walls and rooftops of buildings.
(3)	Considerations for the regulation of greenhouse gas emissions in other government operations Satisfactorily implemented measures include: -    Replacement with energy-saving office equipment, electrical appliances, and lighting -    Collection and reuse of toner cartridges for copiers and printers. Headquarters of ministries and agencies actively promoted the wearing of light clothing in the office during summer. Measures that have been delayed in implementation, especially at local branch offices and bureaus, include: -    Formulation of recycling plans at individual government offices to secure recycling routes, etc. -    Recycling of organic materials such as leftover food and food residue.
(4)	Raising employees' awareness, in general, has not necessarily made progress at the headquarters or at local branch office level.

4. Future challenges

In view of the FY 2002 implementation status, ministries and agencies need to further promote measures to attain the government objectives, taking proper actions with special focus on measures that have not yet been satisfactorily implemented. For measures that can be monitored regularly by numerical values, the government shall continue to collect and assess data using appropriate units, and follow up thoroughly by, for example, quickly reflecting findings to the government operations.

It is necessary to take appropriate action for the implementation of measures not only at the headquarters but also at local branch offices and bureaus. Compared to the headquarters of ministries and agencies, local branch offices and bureaus that have larger organizations and operate in large scale have not made as much progress in measures to control the fuel consumption of official vehicles, paper consumption, and amount of waste, as well as in measures to incorporate environmental considerations in the construction and management of buildings.

To increase the understanding of officials not only at the headquarters of ministries and agencies but also at local branch offices and bureaus about global warming, the government shall step up efforts such as systematically offering global warming seminars and actively providing information.

Fuel consumption of official vehicles, paper consumption, and the amount of waste have exceeded the baseline values. It is important for each of the officials working at the ministries and agencies to be aware of this. Ministries and agencies should step up measures in accordance with their situations using, for example, the following means: