Yamagata Prefecture has released the results of the "Yamagata Summer Ecostyle Campaign" that was conducted with business participation from July 1 to September 30, 2003. With the aim of working together to prevent global warming throughout the prefecture, the campaign focused on (1) reducing the use of air conditioning by setting room temperatures at 28 degrees Celsius in offices and conference rooms; (2) encouraging workers to dress lightly and businessmen to go without neckties. A total of 122 businesses participated in the campaign.

About 70 to 80 percent of all the participating offices carried out the two main points. About 90 percent of businesses that replied to the survey were able to reduce their power consumption during the campaign period compared to the same period in 2002. Their efforts led to cost reductions and savings. The prefecture believes that these results were attributed to high environmental awareness among participants and a record cool summer in 2003.

Some businesses made additional efforts, such as by affixing special coatings to windowpanes to block direct sunlight, promoting bicycle riding for short errands, and designating Wednesdays as the day to avoid working overtime. Few carried out any other significant measures, such as encouraging workers to use public transportation, commute to work by bicycle, or implement a car-free day. These results reflect the reality in Yamagata Prefecture as a motorized society.



Posted: 2004/02/16 09:12:27 AM
Japanese version

TAG Energy , Global warming , Local government , System/Law , Transportation