MOE Announces New Funding for Community-based Environmental Protection Projects

Japan's Ministry of the Environment (MOE) announced on October 22, 2007, that it had chosen four model projects to support under its new fiscal 2007 subsidy program to promote environmental conservation activities under community funding schemes. The program subsidizes model projects that focus on the planning processes for environmental conservation projects conducted by local actors that employ business approaches, so-called environmental community businesses, that are started with investments and/or loans from a community fund. With the aim of promoting such businesses that work to prevent global warming, the MOE is providing a subsidy of about 10 million yen (US$88,500) per project.

One of the model projects chosen for funding is the Nishime Citizen's Windmill Promotion Council in Akita Prefecture, which will review the local power generation plan and will be given funds specifically to conduct preliminary studies on installing wind power generation facilities, examine the study results, and set up meetings with local residents. Another project, organized by the Hokuto Micro-hydro Power Generation Promotion Council in Yamanashi Prefecture, will conduct surveys and discussions with local stakeholders prior to new installations.

Third is the Southern Shinshu Eco-Promotion Project for Global Warming Prevention by the Southern Shinshu Ohisama (which means sun in English) Association in Nagano Prefecture, which is developing model systems for heat supply service businesses, such as biomass boilers, organizing presentations for local people, and conducting business management reviews. Fourth is the Yamaguchi-Shimane Local Promotion Project for Carbon Dioxide Reduction by the Yamaguchi Local Innovation Group, which is conducting a feasibility study of the use of firewood boilers, studies on the collection of used cooking oil for biodiesel oil processing, and a feasibility study on heating bath water using firewood.

During project screening, the MOE evaluated each project's strengths such as utilization of local resources, existence of partnerships among various local actors, qualifications as a model, environmental conservation effects, including reduction of carbon dioxide emissions, and if appropriate review methods are employed.

http://www.env.go.jp/en/index.html

Posted: 2008/04/05 09:34:34 AM