****************************************************** Tentative Translation by Environment Agency of Japan ******************************************************THE ACTION PLAN FOR GREENING GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS
- CONTENT -****************************************************** THE ACTION PLAN FOR GREENING GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS (CABINET DECISION) JUNE 13, 1995 THE GOVERNMENT OF JAPAN JUNE 13, 1995 The Basic Environment Plan (established by the Cabinet Decision on December 16,1994), requires all sectors and groups of the society voluntarily and actively participate in the efforts in accordance with their socio-economic activities to build a society where all of them take part in such efforts and share fair burden for environmental conservation. Among these entities, the Government itself is by far a huge economic body employing and consuming large amount of goods and services, and it is expected that environmental load would be significantly reduced through the Government's environment-friendly actions in its economic activities. Furthermore, the initiatives taken by the Government lead the way toward the carrying out of voluntary actions required of local governments, corporations and people. Therefore, in accordance with Section 3 Chapter 3 Part III of the Basic Environment Plan, the Cabinet decides on an action plan (hereinafter referred to as the "Plan") to guide the actions that shall be commonly undertaken by the Governmental Organizations (hereinafter referred to as the "Ministries and Agencies concerned") as follows. However, where any of the Ministries and Agencies concerned is unable to ensure the implementation of all or a part of activities in the Plan it may decide on its own action plan (hereinafter referred to as the "Operative Plan") in place of the Plan by the end of fiscal 1997 for specified operations and according to the characteristics of its operation. The Plan is in force for the period through fiscal 2000 and shall be reviewed upon necessity before the end of fiscal 1997 based on the evaluation of its achievement and technological progress and other factors. Whereas local governments, government-affiliated organizations and non- profit organizations arc expected to undertake initiatives in line with the rationale of the Plan, efforts shall be made to increase awareness of the Plan and to provide necessary assistance to those activities. In addition, the various actions have been decided and undertaken to this date by the Government or the Ministries and Agencies concerned individually or collectively that will contribute to environmental conservation shall be carried out continuously and properly in cooperation with the Plan. 1 Environmental Considerations regarding the Purchase and Use of Goods and Services (1) Selecting goods and raw materials that have minimal environmental impact at the production stage A. Using recycled paper Total content of virgin pulp contained in the papers purchased and used shall be reduced to approximately 80% or less of the current level by fiscal 2000 through every efforts. Toward its achieving, recycled paper contents in papers for use in governmental offices shall be increased as much as possible. Use of recycled papers shall also be promoted for other use in such printed matters as reports received. B. Using other recycled products Selection and use of products and raw materials that have minimal environmental impact at the production s(age shall be promoted as much as possible, such as goods made from recycled materials. (2) Selecting goods and raw materials that have minimal environmental impact when in use A. Using fuel that has minimal environmental impact Selection and use of fuel that has minimal environmental impact shall he promoted as much as possible, such as kerosene, LPG, and LAG. B. Introducing energy efficient OA equipment Replacement of energy consuming OA equipments and Other electric appliances with energy efficient ones shall be promoted as much as possible, putting into practice appropriately at renewal times through fiscal 2000. C. Introducing water-saving and other environment-friendlv equipments When replacing washing machines or room air conditioners, water-saving or low noise equipments that have minimal environmental impact shall be selected, putting into practice appropriately at renewal times through fiscal 2000. D. Introducing low-pollution-emission vehicles With a view to increasing the ratio of low-pollution-emission vehicles in the Government owned vehicles for use in ordinary administrative work to approximatelv 10% in fiscal 2000, the feasibility of introduction of low- pollution-emission vehicles into official vehicles shall be investigated forwardly, and based on its result, the introduction shall be promoted systematically. Other vehicles that have minimal environmental impact shall also be introduced as much as possible. E. Using other goods and raw materials that have minimal environmental impact when in Use Use of other goods and raw materials that have minimal environmental impact shall be promoted as much as possible. (3) Selecting other goods and materials that have minimal environmental impact A. Using goods and materials that have minimal environmental impact Selection of goods that have minimal environmental impact and contribute to environmental conservation shall be promoted as much as possible. B. Adoption of the recommended list for purchase of goods Recommended list pertaining to specifications and quality of goods that have minimal environmental impact shall be discussed and elaboratcd by the end of fiscal 1996, which would guide the purchase of goods in the Ministries and Agencies concerned. (4) Improving efficiency of resource use to reduce environmental load A. Reducing the volume of paper used The volume of paper used shall not be increased in fiscal 2000 from the current level through every effort. Toward its achieving, actions shall be promoted such as making concise documents and copying on both sides as much as possible. B. Reviewing the number of government vehicles in use Practical use of government vehicles shall be investigated thoroughly, and the number of vehicle shall be reduced as much as possible. C. Using products for longer term Use of products shall be prolonged to the extent possible through increasing the use of goods that can be refilled and so on. (5) Selecting goods in sales and distribution channels that have minimal environmental impact A. Reviewing the installation of energy-consuming automatic vending machines The number and energy consumption of automatic vending machines in the office shall be reviewed, and efforts shall be made to increase energy efficiency and reduce the number. B. Reviewing excessive packaging and wrapping of purchased goods Purchase of goods with excessive packaging and wrapping shall be avoided to the extent possible. 2 Environmental Considerations regarding Construction and Maintenance of Buildings Based on the appropriate implementation of the "Standards for Location, Scale and Structure of Buildings for National Agencies and Their Affiliated Facilities(Notification No.2379 of ministry of Construction issued on December IS, 1994)",following actions shall be undertaken. (1) Constructing and maintaining the buildings and other facilities with consideration of the reduction of environmental load A. Installing appropriate pollution treatment facilities Installation of necessary treatment facilities shall be promoted to the extent possible so as to reduce and treat hazardous substances and other pollutants. B. Improving efficiency of energy and material use a. Energy efficiency of the buildings and other facilities shall be improved as much as possible through efficient use of energy such as solar energy effective heat insulation, and so on. b. Use of recycled construction materials shall be promoted as much as possible. c. Use of electricity at consistent level shall be promoted as much as possible. C. Rational use of water Rational use and recycled use of water shall be promoted as much as possible. D.Conserving nature at the site of the buildings and other facilities Green space shall be secured as much as possible. E. Undertaking construction work that has minimal environmental impact a. When constructing buildings and other facilities, construction work by contractors that has minimal environmental impact shall be encouraged. b. Reduction of wastes by 10% of projected generation volume in fiscal 2000 shall be encouraged to contractors. F. Others a. Halons shall not be used in principle for new installation of fire extinguishing facilities. Halons shall be collected properly when existing facilities are renewed or abolished. b. Air conditioners not using CFCs shall be selected so as to reduce the use of CFCs. (2) Maintaining the buildings and other facilities with consideration of the reduction of environmental load and conserving nature in surrounding area of them A. Maintaining the buildings and other facilities with consideration of reduction of environmental load a. Maintenance of the facilities shall be undertaken in order to reduce and treat hazardous substances and other pollutants. b. CFCs shall be collected and reused properly in maintenance of the buildings and other facilities. B. Improving the environment through planting trees and other measures and conserving nature in surrounding areas a. At the facilities managed by the Ministries and Agencies concerned, planting trees with environmental consideration and maintenance of green space shall actively be promoted. b. The environmental conservation shall be promoted at the lands managed by the Ministries and Agencies concerned, through restriction of illegal dumping of wastes and Other measures. C. Contribution to securing rich blessings of the healthy environment in regional planning and development As a part of the activities to improve environmental amenity, natural environment shall be secured at the land managed by the Ministries and Agencies concerned. 3 Environmental Considerations regarding Other Administrative Works (1) Energy and material saving for the reduction of environmental load A. Reducing energy use in office buildings Electricity consumption per unit of office space shall be reduced to less than approximately 9n% of the current level by fiscal 2000 through every efforts.Toward its achieving, electricity saving shall be promoted in the office buildings as much as possible. B. Saving water use in office buildings Water consumption per unit of office space shall be reduced to less than approximately 90% of the current level by fiscal 2000 through every efforts.Toward it achieving, water saving shall be promoted in the office buildings as much as possible. C. Rational Use of Government Vehicles The amount of fuel consumed by government vehicles shall be reduced to less than approximately 90% of the current level by fiscal 2000 through every efforts. Toward its achieving, rational use of government vehicles shall be promoted as much as possible. In addition, efforts shall he made to reduce the use and improve the efficiency of use of vehicles by government officials and visitors. With a view to reducing the amount of fuel consumed by utilities in government buildings by approximately 10% of the current level by fiscal 2000, taking into consideration the rational fluctuation of the fuel consumption reflecting the weather condition of each year, every effort shall be made to systematically manage and reduce the consumption. (2) Promotion of reduction of wastes and recycling for the reduction of environmental load A. Reducing wastes, and promoting material recycle by separate collection system a. Reducing waste generation, and promoting material recycle by separate collection system The volume of waste(wet weight) generated from each office shall be reduced to less than approximately 75% of the current level by fiscal 2000 and the volume of wastes which can be incinerated shall be reduced to less than 70% during the same period through every effort. Toward its achieving, reuse and recycling shall be promoted. (3) Implementing various administrative works with consideration of pollution prevention A. Preventing environmental pollution a. Emission of air and water pollutants shall be reduced through every effort as much as possible. Emission Of C02 which is one of greenhouse gases generated from administrative works either directly or indirectly shall be limited based on the Action Program to Arrest Global Warming ( decided on October 1990 by the Council of Ministers on Global Environmental Conservation). CO2 emission generated from administrative works directly or indirectly shall be estimated by the end of fiscal 1996. 4 Implementing Training Programs for Government Officials on Environmental Conservation (1) Increasing the environmental awareness among government officials A. Active implementation of environmental training programs and information provision Environmental training programs and lectures shall be implemented actively (0 increase environmental awareness among government officials. B. Encouraging active participation by government officials in environmental conservation activities The officials who are willing to participate in the environmental conservation activities shall be encouraged through facilitating the circumstances in the offices such as taking off days. 5 Effective Implementation of the Plan and Reviewing the Progress (1) Effective implementation based on the review of the progress A. Adopting a scheme for implementation and review A scheme for implementation and review the Plan (including the Operative Plan) shall be discussed and decided by Ministries and Agencies concerned by the end of fiscal 1995. (Notes) 1.The "current level" means the level in fiscal 1995 (except in the case that the Ministries and Agencies concerned have implemented before fiscal 1995 the planned actions which could be deemed as the actions of the Plan and the achievement in the year could be evaluated, the level in such year.) 2. The concrete and detailed actions that are commonly undertaken by ministries and agencies shall be discussed and decided by the Ministries and Agencies concerned. 3.The examples of actions undertaken by the Government and Ministries and Agencies concerned which contribute the environmental conservation, and shall be implemented in harmony with the Plan include the Decision at the Council for Promotion of Energy and Resources Conservation measures and the Action Programme on Common Issues for Administrative Informatization. The concrete and detailed actions mentioned above were decided at the Council of Ministries and Agencies Concerned on Promotion of the Basic Environment Plan(hereinafter referred to as the "Council") ( Chaired by the Director-General, Planning and Coordination Bureau, Environment Agency /. Membership : Director-General level of 23 Ministries and Agencies) on June 13, 1995. The actions include purchasing eco-labelled products, promoting use of electronic mail, installing energy efficient lights, utilizing rain water, reducing the use of agrochemicals, conditioning appropriate temperature in office space ( cooling : approximately 28 degrees centigrade, heating : 20 degrees centigrade), avoiding overtime work on Wednesday, introducing bicycles for common use, elaborating recycling plan in each building, establishing scheme for promotion and reviewing the Plan and appointing an accountable chief executive official among high ranking officials, public reporting the achievement of the Plan every year through appropriate channel such as the annual White Paper on the Environment as well as considering the scheme for auditing the Plan such as audit at the Council involving experts from the outside of the Government. -------------------------------------------------------------end
- Environmental Considerations regarding the Purchase and Use of Goods and Services
- Environmental Considerations regarding Construction and Maintenance of Buildings
- Environmental Considerations regarding Other Administrative Works
- Implementing Training Programs for Government Officials on Environmental Conservation
- Effective Implementation of the Plan and Reviewing the Progress