Kyoto City Enacts Japan's 1st Local Global Warming Countermeasure Ordinance

Japan's first local ordinance designed to curb global warming was adopted by Kyoto City on December 16, 2004 and promulgated on December 24. With the immediate target of reducing emissions of greenhouse gases (GHGs) such as carbon dioxide by 10 percent compared to 1990 levels by 2010, most provisions of the ordinance will come into effect on April 1, 2005.

The ordinance consists of 6 chapters and 29 articles that explicitly state the responsibilities of the Kyoto municipal government, businesses, citizens and tourists. Each of these entities is called on to work toward curbing global warming by preferentially using natural energy sources, conserving energy, using public transport, reducing waste and promoting environmental education.

Distributors who sell appliances such as air conditioners that emit a lot of GHGs must label these products to show their energy efficiency. Specific businesses and large buildings that emit large amounts of GHGs are required to adopt emission reduction programs and submit advance reports on these programs to the Mayor.

Specifically targeted businesses also include franchise operations such as convenience stores and vending machine owners, as these types of businesses taken together emit considerable amounts of GHGs, even though emissions by individual stores may be relatively low. Although no penalties will be meted out under the ordinance, the Mayor can issue public advisories to businesses that fail to submit emission reduction program reports.




Posted: 2005/04/16 05:20:08 PM
Japanese version