The Japanese Ministry of the Environment (MOE) announced on March 31, 2005, that green purchasing by the national government and related entities had achieved a reduction in government's environmental impact in fiscal 2003.

Green purchasing accounted for 95 percent or more for most of the products and services procured by the national government and related entities in both fiscal 2002 and 2003. This high level of green purchasing was calculated to cut CO2 emissions by an estimated 45,000 tons, equivalent to the household CO2 emissions of about 22,000 persons.

The market share of environmentally friendly products is increasing overall. For stationery purchases, for example, the share of environmentally friendly mechanical pencils rose to 37.4 percent in fiscal 2003 from 15.7 percent in fiscal 2000.

Local governments are also being expected to show leadership in promoting green purchasing and to help expand the market in the future.



Posted: 2005/06/23 03:05:25 PM
Japanese version

TAG Eco-product/Business , Government