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I. Title of the Best Practice
Rethinking of lifestyle through "RENGO Ecolife 21"
II. Overview of the Best Practice
A. Features of Improvement of lifestyle through "RENGO Ecolife 21"
1. Background
The 8 million member Japanese Trade Union Confederation (RENGO) is the central organization of labor unions in Japan. RENGO established an Environmental Committee in January 1998 and considered policies to tackle global warming. As a result, it started "RENGO Ecolife 21" as a movement to establish ecological lifestyles, from union members to each and every citizen.
2. Contents of the practice
The movement starts with "Step 1" for undertaking environment-friendly initiatives by union members in their offices at their work places, and "Step 2" in which union members and their families take initiatives at home.
- Step 1:
The motto is "let's start with familiar practices you can change". The initiatives include using stairs (instead of elevators), dressing suitably for the temperature in a room, and setting the proper temperature for air conditioning.
- Step 2:
Union members and their families try to use their own bags for shopping, conserving water resources, separating waste and using both sides of paper, saving on heating and lighting expenses, setting proper temperatures for air conditioning, using public transportation and bicycles, and conscientiously turning off electricity when not needed.
- Step 3:
This involves preparing to expand into a national movement through establishment of the "National Citizens' Conference on Environment (tentative name)", a partnership among government, economic organizations, cooperative associations, youth groups, civic organizations, consumer's organizations and NGOs.
In addition RENGO also provides examples on its Internet website of personal practices to prevent global warming and their impacts.
B. Reasons for Inclusion as a Best Practice
- It is a challenging and emerging approach.
- It can contribute to the formation of future policies to prevent global warming.
- It can be appropriate for application in, or technical transfers to, developing countries:
- It is promoted through cooperation between actors.
- It is a cost-effective approach.
III. Categorizing the Best Practice
1. Classification(s)
( ) Regulatory Approach (Policy approaches-regulations, incentives, etc.)
( ) Practical Action (Action undertaken independently by a social actor)
( X ) Social Network Mechanism (Cooperative structure)
2. Social Actor(s) Involved
( X ) Citizens
( ) Central government
( ) Local government
( X ) Business
3. Sector(s)
( ) Energy
( X ) Residential
( ) 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: |
Hiroshi Takahashi |
| Title: |
Deputy Director |
| Organization: |
Japanese Trade Union Confederation (JTUC) |
| Email: |
jtuc-shakai@sv.rengo.net.or.jp |
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t-takahasi@sv.rengo-net.or.jp |
| Tel: |
+81-3-5295-0522 |
| Fax: |
+81-3-5295-0546 |
| Address: |
3-2-11, Kanda-surugadai, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 101-0062 |
| Note: |
N/A |
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