I. Title of the Best Practice

II. Overview of the Best Practice

A. Features of Green Purchasing in Shiga Prefecture
1. Background
Shiga Prefecture formulated the Basic Plan for the Purchase of Environmentally Friendly Products in Shiga Prefecture in September 1994. Based on this plan, when the Prefecture purchases products it gives consideration to products that have a lighter load on the environment.

2. The contents of the practice
Products eligible to be considered for Green Purchasing must meet the following requirements.
(1) Products must meet one of the following:
(a) less impact on environment when used, (b) improve the environment when used, (c) less impact on the environment at the time of disposal, or (d) make a big contribution to environmental protection in some other way.

(2) Products must meet these criteria:
(a) produced using appropriate pollution prevention measures (b) can be disposed of without significant difficulty, (c) consume less energy and natural resources when used, (d) meet related regulations, standards and measures concerning quality and safety, and (e) prices are not significantly higher than other products of the same category.
Considering the difficulty in requiring the manufacturers to ensure environmental protection at each stage of the product lifecycle (production, distribution, selling, disposal), for the moment the local government purchases products having the Eco Mark, Green Mark or (for paper) the mark indicating recycled milk packages were used.

A list of the recommended environmentally friendly products showing the product name, number and manufacturer is prepared and distributed by the local government. This list is revised monthly.

B. The reasons for Inclusion as Best Practice

• This practice has been effective in reducing GHG. It has contributed to the conservation of wood resources by promoting recycled paper and the paper not made from wood pulp.
• This is a challenging and emerging approach. This is a progressive approach within Japan that has attracted considerable attention by other social actors, especially local governments. Shiga Prefecture was awarded the first Green Purchasing Award from the Green Purchasing Network.
• It can be evaluated quantitatively and/or qualitatively. The increase in volume of green purchasing shows that the government purchases more environmentally friendly products than before. The comparison of purchases from the first year to October 1999 reveals the increase in a number of items on the product list, the higher recycled content in paper products, and a larger number of low-emission vehicles (from 3 light electric cars to 23 hybrid cars).
• It can serve as a model for developed countries besides the G8 countries in implementing domestic initiatives. Any organization could introduce such a system if it wishes.
• It can be appropriate for application in developing countries.
• It has far-reaching effects. Green Purchasing has spread to many commercial enterprises in the prefecture. Moreover, competition between manufacturers in the green product manufacturing market has resulted in an increase in the number of these products, and a decrease in the prices of products such as recycled paper. It shows that initiatives taken by high-volume purchasers are influential in motivating other social actors.
• It has promoted cooperation between actors.

III. Categorizing the Best Practice

1. Classification(s)
( ) Regulatory Approach (Policy approaches-regulations, incentives, etc.)
( X ) Practical Action (Action undertaken independently by a social actor)
( ) Social Network Mechanism (Cooperative structure)

2. Social Actor(s) Involved
( ) Citizens
( ) Central government
( X ) Local government
( ) Business

3. Sector(s)
( ) Energy
( ) Residential
( X ) Industrial
( ) Transportation
( X ) Commerce
( ) Agriculture/Land Use/ Forestry
( ) Others ( )

4. Target Greenhouse Gas(es)
( X ) CO2
( ) CH4
( ) N2O
( ) HFC
( ) PFC
( ) SF6
( ) Other ( )

IV. List of Attachments

Omitted

V. Please indicate a person to contact for more information about this Best Practice.

Contact Person:	Manabu Hattori
Title:	Leader of Eco Office
Organization:	Management Division, Shiga Prefecture
Email:	-
Tel:	-
Fax:	+81-77-528-4920
Address:	4-1-1, Kyomachi, Otu-shi, Shiga-ken
Note:	N/A