Tokyo to Subsidize Energy Saving In Multi-Tenant Buildings

The Environmental Bureau of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government (TMG) announced on June 2, 2004 that for small and midsize multi-tenant buildings in Tokyo, it would subsidize part of the costs of energy-saving measures implemented jointly by owners and tenants to reduce CO2 emissions.

Applications were to be made between June 3 and August 31, 2004. A committee will examine applications to select recipients of the subsidy. The grants will cover up to one-third of the planned costs up to 10 million yen (about U.S.$96,200) per case. The total 200 million yen (about U.S.$1.92 million) available under the program will be entirely covered by the special petroleum account under the Ministry of the Environment.

Applicants must satisfy the following conditions:
1. Total floor area of 3,000 to 10,000 square meters.
2. Annual fuel consumption (crude oil equivalent) of less than 1500 kiloliters.
3. Annual electricity consumption of less than 6 million kilowatt-hours.
4. Establishment of a consultative body consisting of building owner(s) and at least three tenants.
5. Formulation and implementation of a plan on installation and operation of energy-saving equipment.
6. Signing a CO2 reduction agreement with the TMG.

Since CO2 emissions from Tokyo's commercial sector, which includes office buildings, account for 30 percent of the total and are increasing rapidly, efforts to reduce CO2 emissions from office buildings are urgently needed as a part of measures to stop global warming. Through the subsidies, the TMG plans to collect information on effective energy-saving measures and examples of successful collaboration between building owners and tenants, to help spread information to promote measures against global warming.




Posted: 2004/08/17 09:47:13 AM
Japanese version