Japan has an ambitious plan to cut carbon emissions by 25 per cent by 2020, and many firms and local cities are taking action to make their contribution.
1,400 companies in the Japanese capital have been ordered to cut carbon emissions from 6 to 8 per cent in 5 years. These are companies that use more than 1,500 kilo-liters of energy annually.
After the first 5 years, the reduction target is expected to rise to 17 per cent.
As part of Tokyo’s green efforts, new buildings are being built with eco technology installed.
On the ground, it has become a norm for the general public to separate trash.
But what more is the general public doing to save the environment?
“What I am doing is, for example, regarding batteries, I use the type that I can re-charge and use many times, and not use the disposable batteries whenever I can,” said one Japanese.
In a survey conducted by the Environment Ministry in March, of the 1,200 polled, 52 per cent said they are contributing to conserving the environment.
As to whether they are paying particular attention to the issue of global warming, only 19 per cent said they are. This is 5 points lower than the same survey conducted last year.
“I hear about the issue through television and other media, but the issue is so overwhelming. It would be better addressed as something close to our daily lives,” said a Japanese resident.
Another disagreed: “At this point, I don’t think the situation is that serious.”
It looks like there’s still some way to go for the world’s second largest economy to become a more eco-friendly society.
