Chapter 3. Participation by All Sectors of Society Sharing Fair Burden
Basic Direction
A society should be built where all sectors take part in activities for
conservation of the environment. In achieving this goal, it is
essential to ensure that each sector and group, in various socioeconomic
activities, understand the expected roles for environmental conservation
and significance of their actions, share the fair burden, and act
voluntarily.
Therefore, the roles of the national and local governments,
corporations, people and private organizations, together with their
roles expected in each socioeconomic area will be clarified. Measures
shall be implemented such as environmental education/learning,
dissemination of relevant information, and other measures to promote
actions on the part of corporations, people and private organizations,
so as to encourage voluntary and mutually cooperative activities.
In addition, the government shall take the lead in making its
operations environmentally sound, which is expected as both consumer and
corporation.
Each sector of society, each party, must assume its fair share of
burden, according to the environmental load they generate, the benefits
they enjoy and the capability they have to contribute to environmental
conservation. In so doing, it is indispensable that all parties
recognize they generate environmental load, either directly or
indirectly, through daily business activities or everyday living. It is
also important that each party takes responsible action, such as the
polluter pays the implementing cost of various measures for
environmental conservation, in line with the Polluter Pays Principle
advocated by the OECD etc. which requires that the cost of environmental
use must be reflected in the price of goods and services. This is the
basic concept of environmental policy, upon which various measures shall
be implemented accordingly. It is also necessary that social fairness
is ensured in both benefit and burden regarding the enjoyment and
conservation of blessings of nature.
Section 1. The Role of Each Sector
The government shall promote efforts in accordance with the roles
outlined below, with a view to coordinating voluntary affirmative
efforts by other parties. Local governments, companies, citizens and
private organizations are expected to act voluntarily and actively
according to their roles outlined below.
1. The State
The national government shall comprehensively promote efforts by
society as a whole. It shall present goals, courses of action and roles
which must be played for environmental conservation and shall implement
measures. In addition, it shall establish the facilities necessary to
assist each actor's efforts. It shall promote active and voluntary
participation by each party. It shall also cooperate, join in other
actors efforts and promote comprehensive environmental conservation
measures.
In addition to this Basic Environmental Plan, the government shall set
goals for environmental conservation tailored to each problem, including
the establishment of standards. Whenever required, it shall present
policies and guidelines, based on law, setting appropriate ways to share
roles and shaping the entire image of Japanese environmental policy.
A. The national government shall provide the means necessary for each
actor to carry out their duties. For example, it shall implement
environmental impact assessments, regulatory measures, economic measures.
It shall, also, provide funding and promote scientific technology.
B. To encourage active and voluntary efforts on the part of companies,
citizens and private organizations, the government shall promote
environmental education and learning. It shall likewise promote the
support of private sector activities and the provision of access to
information.
C. The national government shall attempt to provide the necessary
financing and/or technology for local governments which are
independently adopting their own environmental conservation measures.
D. International efforts for global environmental conservation shall be
encouraged.
E. The national government shall consider the environment when
formulating and implementing policies which have the potential to cause
environmental burden.
F. As both an consumer and enterprise, the government shall take the
lead in conservation activities.
2. Local Governments
The attainment of sustainable development depends greatly on regional
environmental conservation. Therefore, the role of local governments is
crucial. Local governments are expected, according to the region's
social and natural characteristics, to set up and present goals and
courses of action. They should establish various systems, provide
public facilities and promote voluntary activities. Their environmental
policies should including those following the directions of national
policies and those meeting the characteristics of the areas. They are
expected to work in conjunction with the government, private citizens,
companies and private organizations, to develop comprehensive regional
policies.
A. To promote pollution prevention and recycling in regional planning as
a matter of necessity to decrease environmental burdens tailored to the
regions special characteristics. A rich and plentiful environment
should be ensured by conserving a natural environment and all of its
amenities.
B. To promote environmental conservation with the close cooperation of
the business community and local citizens. This means providing
educational centers, information, environmental education in school. It
also means promoting the establishment of environmental training
programs to ensure human resources and the introduction of environmental
conservation measures aimed at companies.
C. To promote integrated environmental policies in cooperation with the
national government and neighboring local governments. For example,
water resource management shall be conducted giving consideration to an
entire river basin.
D. To promote measures for international cooperation, drawing on past
experiences of other local governments in environmental conservation.
F. To promote policies integratedly and systematically, for example, by
formulating basic plans concerning regional environment conservation.
G. To take the lead in implementing environmental conservation efforts
expected to corporations and consumers.
H. Municipalities should implement environmental conservation efforts
through regional planning as rudimentary local bodies. Prefectural
governments shall promote wide ranging measures and coordination of
measures implemented by municipalities.
3. Corporations
Corporations are responsible for a significant proportion of economy.
Recently, the burden that normal business activities are causing on the
environment is greatly increasing. Therefore, it is necessary for
corporations, actively and voluntarily, to reduce burdens generated by
their activities. This means taking measures to prevent pollution and
actively engaging in conservation activities. It also means taking
affirmative efforts to develop environmental conservation business ("eco-
business,") as an essential ingredient for reaching a state of
sustainable development with little environmental burden.
The central and local governments also take part in production and
consumption, and as such, have the same role as other corporations have.
A. To use materials and services with reduced environmental burden, such
as recycled materials and streamlined physical distribution services.
B. To reduce environmental burden resulting from business activities, by
reducing the emission of polluting materials, minimization and
appropriate disposal of waste, improved energy efficiency, environmental
consideration in development projects, and so on.
C. To contribute to the reduction of environmental burden generated
during the whole life-cycle of products, by taking the environmental
burden at all the stages into consideration in product design, providing
information to consumers, reconsidering excessive packaging practices,
and so on. (Life-cycle of a products means all the stages from material
extraction, through production, distribution and consumption, to
disposal.) In addition, to contribute to appropriate waste disposal and
other activities to reduce the environmental burden after they are used.
D. To participate in community conservation activities by tree-planting
on corporate property, taking part in regional cleanup campaigns, and so
on.
E. To promote international cooperation, such as technology transfer,
and to consider environmental factors in business activities overseas.
F. To promote investments and technological developments for
environmental conservation and to develop business activities related to
the environment.
G. To facilitate the employees' participation to environmental
activities.
H. To promote environmental management, which consists of establishment
of corporate policies on environmental conservation, target-setting,
plan-making, organizational arrangement such as appointment of managers,
and audit of the system. In doing this, discussion at the International
Standardizing Organization (ISO) should be taken into account.
I. In addition to these, to contribute to national and local
environmental policies.
4. People
Burdens inflicted on the environment through everyday activities are
increasing. Unless these activities are altered the situation will
become more problematic. Citizens shall be expected to voluntarily
further their understanding of their relationship to the environment, to
work to decrease the amount of burden that they are individually causing
and to voluntarily work to improve their immediate surroundings.
In promoting environmental policy, it is important to make best use of
the knowledge and experience of women. Cooperation between men and
women shall be encouraged, in conjunction with other measures to improve
the position of women in society. Likewise, it is necessary to further
our children's understanding of the environment, so that environmental
conservation shall be ensured through the next generation.
A. To increase the chances to experience nature and learn about it.
Such activities will further understanding about the relationship
between people and the environment.
B. To reduce environmental burden caused by daily activities. For
example, people should choose environmentally friendly services and
products, like recycled paper. They should refrain from using their
private automobiles when such use is neither necessary nor urgent. They
should also save electricity, reduce the amount of pollutants, such as
detergent, they release, decrease total waste and cooperate in sorting
waste for recycling purposes.
C. To participate in regional environmental conservation including
regional recycling activities, environmental cleanup activities and
activities to increase the amount of vegetation. Additionally, citizens
can participate in global environmental conservation by supporting the
activities of private organizations.
D. To cooperate with the national and local governments in the
implementation of their measures.
5. Private Organizations
Private non-profit organizations play an important role in
environmental conservation. They enable organized, publicly beneficial
actions between the citizens and companies which create them. Their
efforts include activities like recycling, education, research and tree
planting. These private organizations have the ability to engage in
activities that range from domestic, grassroots activities to
international, global activities. The continued cooperation of these
organizations is expected in various fields.
A. To promote grassroots activities of private organizations, directed
at conserving the regional environment, like recycling, tree planting
and the National Trust. The cooperation of residents, companies and
local governments should be promoted.
B. To promote international activities such as reforestation, wildlife
conservation projects, pollution control and international friendship
programs.
C. To promote environmental research into the state of the environment,
the influence of pollution and the effectiveness of environmental
measures, and so on.
D. To promote environmental education and learning and other activities
to raise environmental awareness and encourage voluntary activities on
the part of corporations and people.
E. To cooperate with the other sectors of society.
Section 2. Promoting Voluntary Actions by Each Participant
To encourage voluntary actions by each and every member or group in
society, the government shall promote environmental education and
learning. It shall likewise devise measures to encourage concrete
environmental conservation efforts. It shall promote the availability
of information.
1. Promoting Environmental Education and Learning
Each member of society must understand the role that they play and the
responsibility that they share for environmental burdens, otherwise
sustainable development will never be realized. It is necessary that
each be able to contribute in solving environmental problems and
actively participate in environmental conservation. Regardless of age,
each member must cooperate in the effort to maintain a healthy and sound
environment in the community, whether in school, at home, at work or
outdoors. Comprehensive education and voluntary learning shall be
integratedly promoted.
In this effort, people's history of burdening the environment and the
aspects of culture which helped to create this burden, must be more
deeply understood. This cannot be accomplished by the mere transmission
of knowledge and cold hard facts. To gain a real understanding of and
to truly realize the importance of nature, people must experience it
firsthand. In particular, the next generation, the youth in society,
must be given the opportunity to experience the relationship between
life and nature. In this way, they will grow to appreciate, understand
and show concern for this relationship. Measures shall be improved to
secure this understanding.
1.1. Environmental Education in School
Environmental education in school, as a fundamental part of learning
which lasts our entire life, is essential. In elementary and high
schools, the integration of environmental education in the curriculum in
ethics classes and in special projects, shall be comprehensively
promoted. Young people, in particular, should be given the opportunity
to develop a sense of value for nature through firsthand experience..
Since this educational process is held to be so important, the
opportunity to participate in activities where there is actual
interaction with nature shall be affirmatively promoted. The government
shall promote the training of teachers to improve their own
understanding and perception of the environment, in order to increase
their effectiveness in environmental education. Education shall depend
upon the pupils' level of development. The government shall also take
measures to improve and popularize teaching methods.
Textbooks made of recycled paper shall be promoted to give school
children a concrete example of the advantages of recycling. Companies
are expected to voluntarily cooperate in efforts to increase the
utilization of these books. Likewise, the use of recycled paper in
textbooks shall be promoted for those prepared by the government.
Furthermore, the government shall promote provisions for environmental
education in higher education, in an attempt to cultivate well-rounded
and able leaders.
1.2. Environmental Education Outside of the Classroom
1.2.a. Improving Learning Facilities
The government shall take measures to maintain environmental education
and learning centers, where people can interact with nature.
Coordination between these facilities shall also be promoted.
1.2.b. Offering Learning Opportunities
In an continuing effort to offer a wide-range of learning opportunities,
guidance lectures on the environment, nature observation outings and
lessons on such wide ranging topics as star watching shall be sponsored.
1.2.c. Securing Human Resources
In order to train, secure and apply human resources for leadership
roles in environmental education, learning and conservation, measures
shall be promoted to improve training and upgrade the registration
system.
1.2.d. Offering Educational Materials and Methods
According to age and where the activity is held, whether it is a field
trip, sightseeing or leisure, systematic programs, educational materials
and procedures shall be developed and offered.
1.3. Public Relations Activities
Placing Environment Day (June 5) at the core, various events shall be
developed with cooperation from local governments and private
organizations. Similarly, applying various information mediums, public
relations activities shall be improved.
2. Promotion of Specific Activities to Conserve the Environment
2.1. Voluntary Environmental Management
The government shall take measures to encourage corporations to
implement voluntary environmental management, which consists of
establishment of corporate policies on environmental conservation,
target-setting, plan-making, organizational arrangement such as
appointment of managers, and audit of the system. These measures shall
include studies on the ways to encourage and support the establishment
and certification of environmental management systems.
2.2. Rewarding Desirable Actions
The government shall promote research into the methods of "Life-cycle
assessment", which is a method to evaluate the environmental impacts
along the continuum of a product life from raw material extraction to
production, consumption and disposal ("cradle-to-grave). The government
shall also appropriately supervise environmental labeling schemes to
enhance the use of environmentally friendly products. Similarly,
citizens or private organization displaying exemplary behavior toward
the environment, shall be officially rewarded.
2.3. Supporting Private Organizations
By making use of tax measures and other related systems, like the
Global Environmental Fund, the government shall support the private
organizations' activities like international environmental cooperation,
education, learning, the National Trust, international partnership
formation between organizations. To support private organizations who
are greatly beneficial to the public in their environmental conservation
activities, measures will be examined on ways to bestow the status of
legal entity on them.
3. Providing Information.
Information on the state of the environment, burdens on it, measures
for its conservation and on environmental education and learning
opportunities shall be provided. Databases shall be established and
improved. They shall network local governments and private
organizations and provide information on locations where activities are
taking place.
Additionally, the measures provided in Chapter 4 Section 6 shall be
promoted.
Section 3. Setting an Example by Government Action
The government occupies very large proportion of the Japan's total
economic activities. Considerable environmental burdens could be
eradicated by the Government's efforts to make its own normal activities
environmentally friendly. Moreover, the Government should lead the way
in implementing these activities, if local governments, companies and
private citizens are to be expected to do the same. For this purpose,
the Government as a whole shall establish an Action Program on its
efforts in the following fields.
A. Environmental consideration in procurement and/or utilization of
goods and/or services
For example, the use of recycled products such as paper, the
introduction of low-emission vehicles, and efficient use of automobiles.
B. Environmental consideration in construction and/or management of
buildings
For example, utilization of solar and other clean energy sources,
efficiency in energy and water use, CFCs reduction and retraction,
increasing the amount of vegetation around and on top of buildings,
reusing and recycling of construction waste and by-products, and
efficient use of tropical timber for molding.
C. Environmental consideration in office work
For example, the reduction of energy use, separated waste collection
for easy recycling and/or disposal, and waste reduction.
D. Giving training and information to the employees
For example, revision of training programs on the environment,
provision of information, and encouragement of conservation activities
during vacations.
Section 4. Efforts in Major Socioeconomic Sectors
A coordinated and cooperative environmental conservation activities
shall be promoted in various socioeconomic sectors. These sectors
include (1) the production, marketing, consumption and disposal of goods,
(2) the supply and consumption of energy, and (3) traffic and
transportation. The role of each participant, with respect to these
sectors, shall be outlined below. Each participant, whether a private
citizen, company or local government shall be expected to actively and
voluntarily pursue actions accordingly.
1. Production, Marketing, Consumption and Disposal of Goods
Goods come from many different sources: from the forestry, agriculture,
fishery, manufacturing, construction, mining etc. In all these
industries, the process of resource extraction and production can cause
environmental burdens in the form of land alteration and discharges to
the environment. Similarly, waste and other forms of environmental
burden are generated in the processes of marketing, consuming and
disposing of goods. On the other hand, forestry, agriculture and
fishery have another aspect of industries making sound use of material
cycle in nature, and if they are conducted appropriately they contribute
to the maintenance of environmental conservation capacity of the land.
To reduce the environmental burdens caused by these industries,
environmentally friendly resource utilization and product manufacturing
must be implemented. Burdens resulting from the extraction and
production of raw materials must be reduced. Products which are derived
from environmentally safe marketing and consumption process' must be
encouraged. Recycling and the appropriate disposal of waste must be
promoted. Natural resources must be conserved, while the resources of
the forestry, agriculture and fishery industries must be properly
managed. Finally, the civil engineering and construction industry must
embark upon projects which have taken the environment into consideration.
1.1. Producers
Pollution control measures at production stage, taking into account
other stages from resource extraction to disposal, should be promoted.
These include (1) ensuring closed material circulation in resource
utilization and manufacturing processes, (2) controlling generation and/
or properly disposing of waste and (3) encouraging products which are
derived from environmentally safe marketing and consumption processes.
1.1.a. Agriculture, Forestry and Fishery
Unlike other industries, the agriculture, forestry and fishery
industries production capacity is based upon natural material
circulation. These industries have important roles to play in
conserving the environment. Careful forest maintenance positively
affects how the overall environment is maintained.
In the agricultural sector, regulations shall be set for pesticide and
other chemical utilization. For example, standards for these chemicals
shall be revised, as will the criteria used to decide whether their
utilization is necessary. The recycling of domesticated animal manure
should be promoted, as well as the conservation of ecosystems located on
the periphery of agricultural land.
In the forestry sector, sustainable forest management should be
promoted. Measures to ensure proper cutting in natural forests, the
maintenance of conservation forest areas and the employment of
appropriate forestry techniques such as indigenous wood and multiple
layered forestry should be promoted.
In the fishery sector, sustainable aquatic resource management should
be promoted. Aquaculture should be promoted and the conservation of
good fishing waters, like those around tidelands and seaweed beds, shall
be encouraged.
1.1.b. Mining
When extracting resources, the environment should be given due
consideration. Beyond mere proper management, the reforestation of
mining sites should be promoted.
1.1.c. Manufacturing
The use of recycled materials should be promoted over their as yet
unextracted natural counterparts. The adoption of closed material
circulation production methods should be promoted. Waste generation
should be controlled and its proper disposal promoted. Longer lasting
products should be developed and the environmental burden they inflict
from consumption to disposal should be reduced. Model changes in
products or product lines should be implemented correctly. The
manufacturing industry should cooperate to ensure that products are
appropriately handled and/or recycled after they have been discarded.
1.1.d. Construction
With client cooperation, consideration should be given to the ecosystem
when constructing buildings. For example, buildings should utilize
energy more efficiently by utilizing solar power, improving ventilation
and by employing better insulating materials. They should utilize water
more conservatively. Likewise, increasing the amount of vegetation in
building landscapes and on building rooftops should be promoted as will
the installation of consolidated purification handling tanks.
The construction industry shall be encouraged to strive to use
environmentally friendly materials, to take on projects only after first
considering the environment, to ensure that by-products created during
construction are recycled and to practice proper disposal methods.
1.2. Sellers (Wholesale and Retail)
The marketing of environmentally friendly products, not excluding real
estate, should be promoted as will the reduction of excess packaging.
Sellers should be encouraged to collect discarded and/or recyclable
goods directly from consumers for proper handling.
1.3. Consumers
When deciding what to buy, consumers should choose products that have
either a neutral or a reduced impact on the environment. They should
refuse excessive packaging. When ordering the construction of a
building, consumers should demand an environmentally friendly building.
Once built, consumers should ensure that it is being utilized in a
manner which has little negative impact on the environment. They should
control waste generation and cooperate with collection systems by
separating their garbage into that which is burnable and that which is
recyclable.
1.4. Sanitation and Recycling Industries
The sanitation and recycling industries have an important role to play
in environmental conservation. They should demand cooperation from
their customers and should promote recycling and proper waste disposal.
1.5. The National and Local Governments
Regulative measures concerning the emission of pollutants, disposal of
waste and the use of agricultural chemicals shall be implemented by the
national and local governments. Likewise, guidance shall be provided to
promote recycling and economic measures to encourage the control of
waste generation and to promote recycling shall be employed as needed.
Public facilities, such as waste disposal facilities, shall be
established.
The national and local governments shall pursue methods of "life-cycle
assessment." They shall make information available and see that
environmentally friendly products are recommended. They shall provide
guidance to the recycling and sanitation industries. They shall,
likewise, promote the reduced utilization of chemical fertilizers and
pesticides.
Local governments shall implement measures to ensure appropriate waste
disposal.
Environmental impact assessments should be employed for public projects.
The national and local governments should take the ecosystem into
account and utilize clean energy, like solar power, when maintaining
rivers, streams, farms, farming villages, fishing ports, harbors, roads,
shorelines and airports. They should also promote recycling and
environmentally friendly resource utilization.
2. Energy Supply and Consumption
The supply and consumption of energy are essential elements found at
every level of economic activity. Much environmental burdens is
generated in the process of both supplying and consuming it. Energy use
paradigms must be adopted to promote energy conservation and decrease
such environmental burden. Traffic and transportation shall be
collectively discussed in the next subsection.
2.1. The Energy Supply Industry
Environmental burden resulting from the activities of the energy supply
industry should be reduced. The efficiency of energy transformation
should be upgraded (e.g. the generation of electricity should require
less energy). Natural gas utilization should be promoted. The
development and introduction of solar and wind power should, likewise,
be promoted. Moreover, the development and utilization of sources of
energy which emit nominal amounts of carbon dioxide such as nuclear
energy shall be encouraged. Measures for radioactive waste handling and
disposal, based on the Basic Nuclear Power Law, shall be carefully
designed and implemented.
In cooperation with the demand side, dispersed power sources, such as
cogenerators, should be introduced. Until now untapped energy sources,
such as heat discharged from sewage, should be utilized, as will heat
resulting from waste incineration.
2.2. Industrial Energy Consumers
The introduction of energy conserving facilities, the development of
energy management systems and the efficient use of surplus energy
outside of factories should be promoted in manufacturing industries.
Likewise, the development and introduction of energy conserving products
shall be encouraged.
In the agricultural sector, natural energy utilization should be
promoted.
Furthermore, appropriate planning, construction and management must be
employed to prevent heat loss from buildings. The introduction of solar
power generators, fuel cells, cogenerators, energy conserving facilities
and equipment should be promoted in offices.
2.3. Common Consumers
The introduction of energy conserving devices, the prevention of energy
waste and the utilization of energy efficient home appliances should be
promoted. Houses should receive better insulation to save heat.
Likewise, the utilization of solar power in homes, for both power
generation and for water heating should be promoted.
2.4. The National and Local Governments
Regulative measures regarding pollution emission shall be carried out.
Likewise, measures for improving energy use at the workplace and in the
daily lives of citizens shall be promoted. The national and local
governments must invest in facilities that contribute to energy
conservation. They must also support technological development.
Furthermore, they must examine the possibility of introducing daylight
saving time.
Research and development into solar energy, fuel cells and other forms
of clean energy shall be promoted and their introduction encouraged.
Likewise, the introduction of dispersed power sources and utilization of
until now untapped energy sources shall be promoted.
3. Transportation and Traffic
The process of moving people and goods is burdening the environment.
It is necessary to decrease amount of environmental burdens generated by
the various modes of transportation. Burden from individual modes of
transportation must be reduced and cleaner ones must be selected. Cargo
and passenger transport must be streamlined to improve traffic flow and
conserve the environment.
3.1. The Transportation Industry
Efforts must be made to introduce automobiles with decreased emissions
and to encourage the use of vehicles which meet the latest emissions
regulations.
To streamline cargo transport, in conjunction with cargo owners,
transportation should be joint and cargo on return trips should be
secured. Cargo facilities should be upgraded and proper utilization of
these facilities should be promoted. Rail and sea links located at
points on major transportation routes should be utilized for hauling
medium to long distance freight.
Also, by enhancing the convenience of public transportation, like
railroad and bus routes, passenger movement should be made more
efficient.
Anti-noise pollution measures for planes and trains should be promoted.
Measures to prevent ocean pollution created in sea transport should
also be promoted.
3.2. Cargo Owners
Efforts must be made to introduce vehicles with decreased emissions and
to encourage the use of vehicles which meet the latest emissions
regulations.
Transportation efficiency should be improved by promoting streamlined
distribution patterns, improving information systems, promoting joint
transportation and securing cargo for return trips. Likewise,
consideration should be given to coordinating transport with the
transportation industry, including the utilization of business trucks.
Furthermore, the utilization of cargo facilities should be promoted.
For example, rail and sea links located at points on major
transportation routes should be utilized for hauling medium to long
distance freight.
3.3. Consumers
Consumers should strive to select environmentally friendly means of
transportation. This means walking or riding a bicycle, when possible,
and when not, utilizing public transportation. Non-emergency and
unnecessary use of private automobiles should be refrained from and,
when used, they should be used appropriately.
3.4. The National and Local Governments
Regulatory measures such as automobile emission controls and traffic
controls shall be implemented. Guidance shall also be provided to
improve efficiency in automobile utilization. Support shall
simultaneously be given for the development and utilization of cars with
low emissions.
The national and local governments shall provide facilities for rail
and sea transport. They shall improve the convenience and maintenance
of public modes of transportation. They shall provide and improve
facilities for pedestrians and bicycles. In order to conserve the
environment beside roadsides, they shall attempt to break-up and smooth
the flow of traffic by providing by-passes and loops. Finally, they
shall encourage the improvement of the traffic control system and
establishment of an information dissemination system.
In areas near roads, airports and other transportation facilities, anti-
noise pollution measures shall be promoted. These measures should
employ the use of natural sound barriers such as "green buffer belts"
made of earth and vegetation.
4. Others
4.1. Tourism and Leisure Activities
Tourism and leisure activities offer a tremendous opportunity for
people to experience and enjoy nature. However, such activities also
have the potential to cause serious environmental burdens.
4.1.a. Resort Development, Travel and Related Industries
Considerations for the natural environment shall be encouraged in all
stages of resort development This includes site selection, construction
and administration. Additionally, specialists should be trained in eco-
tourism, while the general population is simultaneously educated about
it. Information about the natural environment of resorts should be
provided and efforts to increase tourists' opportunities to experience
nature on their vacation should be promoted.
4.1.b. Visitors
Measures to prevent littering and other environmentally burdening
behavior should be promoted. Efforts to increase visitor awareness and
understanding about nature should also be promoted.
4.1.c. The National and Local Governments
The national and local governments shall promote the proper
administration of parks and other green spaces. They should maintain
tourist areas which emphasize nature and encourage leisure activities in
nature and provide fundamental guidance and advice to ensure respect for
the environment.
4.2. Financial Institutions
Finance plays an important role in economic activities. Moreover,
providing capital to various enterprises can impact the environment
tremendously. Establishing accounts for donations and investments to
fight environmental burdens should be promoted.
A financial system should be considered in which the environmental
impact of projects are reviewed when determining whether to finance or
invest in certain projects. Financial institutions shall be expected to
provide environmental information to the generally information-poor
small and medium size companies. They are also expected to provide
advice and counseling.
4.3. Others
Other industries, not previously mentioned, are also expected to make
voluntary efforts to conserve the environment. Their efforts will
depend upon whichever field their activities fall under: 1) the
production, marketing, consumption and disposal of goods, 2) the supply
and consumption of energy, or 3) traffic and transportation.
The transmission of information should not only be used to enhance the
flow of transportation, but to also reduce environmental burdens as a
transportation substitute and a paper saving device. Therefore,
information correspondence systems should be more widely utilized and
expanded. The development of information systems and their relationship
with the environment should be studied to determine if there are other
ways the environment can be conserved.
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