Prefectural Certification System Encourages Employers to Reduce GHG Emissions

As of January 17, 2013, the number of business operators accredited by the Environment Gunma Standard (GS) accreditation system by Gunma Prefecture had reached 1,913. Gunma established the system in 2006 with the aim of encouraging business operators in the prefecture to prepare their own Plan-Do-Check-Action system for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, namely, an environment management system, and operate it systematically.

When an application to the Environment GS system is submitted, the prefectural government confirms that all required items are filled in on its application form and then accepts the application. It then issues a certification to the applicant and at the same time publicly announces the name and address of the certified business operator by listing them on the Gunma Prefecture website.

The certified business operators may use the Environment GS logo on their name cards, their company profiles, and the like. When they intend to establish or renovate equipment in order to save energy or introduce renewable energies, they may be given preferential treatment in getting loans from several financial institutions in Gunma. Moreover, they may earn emissions credits according to the carbon dioxide emissions they reduced for use at inns and hot spring resorts in the prefecture.