Japanese Ministry Formulating New Green Business Strategies

Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry was presented with a collection of strategies and new actions to encourage the growth of green businesses at the fifth meeting of a subcommittee of its Industrial Structure Council on June 2, 2008. The subcommittee has been holding sessions since February 18, 2008.

The purpose of the subcommittee is to identify the issues and gaps between the present and ideal business situations that can contribute to the realization of a society that is both environmentally and economically sound, as well as to evaluate the ministry's past measures to promote environmental management and businesses.

The ministry was to launch a study group in June 2008 to examine the disclosure of environmental information to consumers through the introduction of carbon footprint labeling and the new role of environment-friendly finance and investment. Meanwhile, the ministry plans to implement measures to enhance corporate environmental management, develop new environmental technologies and businesses, enhance efforts relating to the 3Rs (reduce, reuse, and recycle) such as through increased resource productivity, analyze and publicize best practices that balance the environment and economy, promote environmental initiatives in communities, and to spur global development (with an emphasis on Asia).

The subcommittee will report on its progress in the fall of 2008, and then publish an interim report based on the findings in the spring of 2009.
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Posted: 2008/09/27 11:53:05 PM