30 Industry Groups Submit Voluntary Action Plans to Cut VOC Emissions

After receiving 27 voluntary action plans from 30 industry groups in Japan, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry compiled a second report on industry efforts to reduce emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The report was presented to the Environmental Risk Countermeasures Joint Working Group of the Industrial Structure Council on December 13, 2006. Compared to the first report on May 11, 2006, the number of industry groups which submitted their action plans increased by five, and the total number of companies involved grew by 99, from 9,242 to 9,341. Details on the first report are available at: http://www.japanfs.org/db/1468-e

According to the second report, VOC emissions in fiscal 2005 amounted to 353,000 tons, down by 132,000 tons, or 27 percent, from 485,000 tons in fiscal 2000 (base year). The industry groups are aiming to reduce annual VOC emissions by 31 percent to 334,000 tons by the end of fiscal 2008 as an intermediate target, and will further reduce them by 39 percent to 294,000 tons by the end of fiscal 2010.

To effectively reduce VOC emissions by combining governmental regulations and voluntary efforts of businesses, the ministry has been encouraging the relevant industry groups to formulate an action plan. Another six industry groups are planning to join this initiative.


- Japan to Reduce VOC Emissions by 40% in FY2010 (Related JFS article)
http://www.japanfs.org/db/1468-e

Posted: 2007/02/18 10:41:03 PM
Japanese version