MOE > Environmental Policy > ETV > Heat-island mitigation technology field (technologies for reducing air conditioning loads by using building envelope systems)
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Target Technology Fields Fields Currently Targeted Small hydropower generation technology field Global warming mitigation technology field (lighting energy reduction technologies) Human waste treatment in natural areas: human waste treatment technology field Organic wastewater treatment technology field Water environment improvement technologies in enclosed coastal seas field Water purification technologies for lakes and reservoirs field Heat-island mitigation technology field (technologies for reducing air conditioning loads by using building envelope systems) Heat-island mitigation technology field (heat pump air-conditioning systems using ground source heat, wastewater heat, etc.) Simplified VOC, etc. measurement technology field
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Target Technology Fields

Heat-island mitigation technology field (technologies for reducing air conditioning loads by using building envelope systems)

Outline of the Field
Background and Related Information
List of Verified Technologies
Example of Target Technology Sun protection film for windows Example of Target Technology
Sun protection film for windows
Reduction of the indoor air-conditioning load using an envelope technologyReduction of the indoor air-conditioning load using an envelope technology
List of Verified Technologies
Background and Related Information
What is the heat island phenomenon? The heat island phenomenon means that the ambient temperature in the central area of a city becomes higher than that of its surrounding area. There are two main causes.

The first is an increased amount of artificial waste heat discharged from the human use of air-conditioning systems, electrical appliances and automobiles. The second is the increasing artificial coverage of the ground due to a decline of vegetation and water bodies and increasing building areas and paved ground surfaces.

Today, the heat island phenomenon has become widely known by the public as an environmental problem specific to urban areas.
The MoE estimates that artificial heat accounts for approximately 50% of the heat (sensible heat of the air) affecting the temperature increase of Tokyo’s 23 wards. Meanwhile, waste heat attributable to building functions, such as air-conditioning, is estimated to account for half of the artificial waste heat.

The frequent occurrence of the heat island phenomenon and progression of global warming have been worsening the urban heat environment, making its improvement an urgent task. Here, it must be noted that artificial waste heat from offices and houses if the main factor for a temperature increase in large cities.


Reference: What is the Outline of Measures Against the Urban Heat Island EffectThe Outline of Measures Against the Urban Heat Island Effect which was drawn up in May, 2004 puts forward basic policies for the promotion of efforts by the central government, local governments, business operators and residents to mitigate the heat island effect in an appropriate manner and systematically compiles concrete measures for implementation. There are 4 main pillars for heat island effect mitigation measures: (1) reduction of artificial waste heat, (2) improvement of the state of ground coverage, (3) improvement of urban form and (4) improvement of lifestyle.
The revision of the Outline in May, 2013 has added the new pillar (5) promotion of adaptation measures to reduce the impacts, etc.on human health.
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