Summary of Programs
Here we introduce various programs created to promote green policies, and the local governments behind them.
"Climate Change Action Plan" Programs
- Summary
These programs aim to encourage businesses to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by making it mandatory for businesses with facilities (factories, buildings, etc.) that emit more than a certain amount of GHGs to formulate Climate Change Action Plans and submit them to the local government.
"Environmental Building Plan" Programs
- Summary
This is a program introduced by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government to create a market that rewards environmentally friendly, sustainable buildings, and to promote advances in new environmental technologies. It works through comprehensive assessments and disclosure of the environmental performance of buildings.
"CASBEE for Japanese Local Government" Programs
- Summary
These are programs that require businesses planning to construct buildings larger than a certain size to submit a "CASBEE Assessment Result Sheet" based on the Comprehensive Assessment System for Building Environmental Efficiency (CASBEE, which is under the auspices of Japan's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport).
Emission Trading Systems
- Summary
These are market-oriented systems intended to efficiently reduce emissions. They work by allocating a maximum amount (determined by local government) of allowable CO2 emissions (the cap) among large businesses with factories and offices, and permitting the trading of emission quotas among businesses that have surplus quota and businesses that have exceeded their quota.
Renewable Energy Promotion Programs
- Summary
This is a general term for programs that promote renewable energy (wind power, photovoltaic, biomass, hydropower, geothermal, and so on) as a means of addressing climate change and promoting regional sustainable development.
Green Energy Purchasing Programs
- Summary
As a part of efforts against climate change, these programs encourage buyers to voluntarily choose green energy when procuring electricity, heat, and fuel.
