The Action Plan for Greening Government Operations - section 3

3. Environmental Considerations Regarding Other Administrative Operations

(1) Conserving energy and materials to reduce environmental load

A. Reducing energy use in office buildings

Electricity consumption per unit of office space shall be reduced to less than 90% of current levels by fiscal 2000. Electric energy conservation shall be promoted in office buildings to achieve this goal.

B. Reducing water use in office buildings

Water consumption per unit of office space shall be reduced to less than 90% of current levels by fiscal 2000. Water conservation shall be promoted in office buildings to achieve this goal.

C. Using government vehicles efficiently

The amount of fuel consumed by government vehicles shall be reduced to less than 90% of current levels by fiscal 2000. The efficient use of government vehicles shall be promoted to achieve this goal. In addition, efforts shall be made to reduce the use of vehicles by government officials and visitors and to improve the efficiency of vehicle use.

While considering reasonable fluctuations in fuel consumption because of weather conditions, efforts shall be made to systematically manage and reduce fuel consumption by utilities in government buildings by approximately 10% of current levels by fiscal 2000.

(2) Promoting waste reduction and recycling to reduce environmental load

A. Reducing waste and promoting material recycling by using separate collection systems

1. Reducing waste generation and promoting material recycling by using separate collection systems
   
   The amount of waste (wet weight) generated from each office shall be reduced to less than 75% the current levels by fiscal 2000, and the amount of wastes to be incinerated shall be reduced to less than 70% during the same period. Both reuse and recycling shall be promoted to achieve this goal.

(3)Regulating administrative operations to prevent pollution

A. Preventing environmental pollution

1. Efforts will be made to reduce the emission of air and water pollutants. Direct or indirect emissions of CO2, a greenhouse gas, by administrative operations shall be regulated by the Action Program to Arrest Global Warming (determined at the October 1990 meeting of the Council of Ministers on Global Environmental Conservation). Total CO2 emission by administrative operations shall be estimated by the end of fiscal 1996.