Nankoku City (Kochi Prefecture) Makes Progress in Global Warming Project

On September 14, 2006, the municipal office of Nankoku City in Kochi Prefecture (southern Japan) announced the results of a five-year project to mitigate global warming (fiscal 2001 to 2005).

The year 2000 was the base year. For gasoline consumption the target for fiscal 2005 was a 5% reduction, but consumption increased by 9% (target not achieved). Diesel consumption decreased by 21%, surpassing the 5% reduction target (target achieved), and paper usage increased by 24%, against a 20% reduction target (target not achieved). The use of recycled paper increased by 76%, surpassing the target increase of 20% (target achieved). The base year ratio of recycled to virgin paper was 12%, and the ratio for 2005 rose to 88%.

The reduction in power consumption was attributed to turning off and disconnecting equipment when not in use, and by setting room air conditioning warmer at 28 degrees Celsius, and heating cooler at 20. Gasoline consumption was up because of an increase in distance traveled by certain vehicles with low fuel efficiency, such as fire engines, while total fleet mileage remained unchanged. The reduction in diesel consumption was ascribed to a reduction in the running distance of diesel-powered vehicles compared to the base year.

City officials attributed the increase in recycled paper usage to the municipality's accounting section, which took the initiative to use recycled paper, leading to a higher-than-expected usage ratio for recycled paper. The city plans to continue the project, after reviewing its operational manuals and the project period.



Posted: 2007/01/15 10:26:00 AM
Japanese version