In Wakkanai City, September 7 and October 5, 2007, were designated 'No My Car Days'. Civil-service workers usually commute by car, but on these 2 days, the rate of car use for commuter journey decreased by an average of 72.3 percent. This resulted in about 3,100 kg less CO2 being emitted, about 3 kg per person, and a saving of about 1,300 liters of gasoline, equivalent to 200,000 yen.

The city's goal is to reduce CO2 emissions by 6 percent in five years from fiscal 2006 to 2010, based on the amount of actual CO2 emissions in fiscal 2004. 'No My Car Day' is one of the approaches to achieve this goal, and as of 2006, the city had succeeded in reducing CO2 emissions by 4.3 percent when compared to 2004 levels.

Wakkanai City plans to implement monthly 'No My Car Days' in 2008. It also aims to increase the number of participants, and to encourage companies, groups and general citizens to take part.



Posted: 2008/01/09 04:07:54 PM
Japanese version

TAG Global warming , Local government , Transportation