Japan's First Carbon-Neutral Railway Station to Open in Settsu, Osaka Prefecture

The Japanese city of Settsu in Osaka Prefecture and Hankyu Corporation announced on October 28, 2008, that they have started work on a plan to build the nation's first carbon-neutral railway station, as part of the city's scheme to develop its Minami-senrioka area. The new station is scheduled to open in spring 2010, aiming to realize zero emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) arising from station buildings.

On November 1, 2007, Settsu City, Hankyu Corporation and a housing developer, J.S.B. Co., signed an agreement for coordination and cooperation in developing an ecological model town equipped with measures against global warming. Since then, the three organizations have been examining environmental measures applicable in this town planning.

The new station is estimated to emit approximately 65 tons of CO2 emissions per year when operated using conventional means. However, the figure is to be cut down by about 35 tons with the help of environmental measures and the remaining 30 tons is to be offset by emissions trading. Thus, the CO2 emissions from the station can be reduced to zero.

The station features a variety of designs to curb CO2 emissions related to electricity and water consumption, including the use of power produced by the regenerative braking systems in elevators, solar power generation, LED lighting, rainwater storage tanks, as well as waterless urinals which don't require flushing water.

- Railway Company Introduces Waterless Urinals (Related JFS article)
http://www.japanfs.org/en/pages/027098.html
- INAX Releases New Water Saving Toilet Fixtures for Public Use (Related JFS article)
http://www.japanfs.org/en/pages/028513.html

Posted: 2009/03/06 06:00:15 AM