ID :
33797
Wed, 12/03/2008 - 21:02
Auther :

FOCUS: Japan promotes environment-friendly 'Eco Action Point' project

TOKYO, Dec. 3 Kyodo - The government, local governments and business enterprises have joined hands to
launch the ''Eco Action Point'' project for consumers to get points and receive
products in exchange for environment-friendly steps such as purchases of
energy-saving goods and use of public transportation systems.
Although people are increasingly recognizing the importance of measures against
global warming, it is not fully reflected in their actions, prompting the
Environment Ministry to step up efforts to promote the project.
''We would like to encourage changes in consumers' behaviors and reduce
household sector-emissions,'' said a ministry official.
Greenhouse gas emissions in Japan are increasing despite the government
campaign against them. The Environment Ministry says the emission volume in
fiscal 2007 increased 8.7 percent over fiscal 1990, and the volume in the
household sector jumped 30 percent.
''Although interest in emissions reduction is mounting, people taking
aggressive actions account for about 5 percent of the total,'' one expert said.
Under such circumstances, the point project has been launched. ''An attractive
incentive is necessary to encourage consumers to take actions,'' said Hikaru
Kobayashi, head of the ministry's Environment Policy Bureau.
About 20 companies are participating in the project. They include electric
appliance retailers, railway companies, department stores, banks, travel agents
and real estate companies.
Anybody can use points if he or she is registered through its homepage.
For example, an electric appliance retailer gives 50 points for one fluorescent
bulb. Consumers who take point-target actions can receive coupons with points
according to the amount of purchases.
Such actions include buying recycled goods, using railways emitting less carbon
dioxide and taking part in overseas tours designed to offset CO2 emissions by
making investment in tree plantation.
Consumers accumulate these points by registering via the homepage, and when
they accumulate a certain number of points, they can receive some products and
services.
With 2,500 points, they can exchange them with daily necessities, such as a
solar-cell radio, or electronics money. They can also donate the points to
projects to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
The participating enterprises shoulder costs associated with return services.
But an official at JCB Co., which is in charge of creating the point project,
said, ''Enterprises can also have benefits such as showing their contributions
to society.''
Katsuya Hasegawa, president of Econos Co., a used-article retailer in Sapporo
which introduced the point project before others, said, ''The number of users,
who say, 'We are pleased to be able to contribute to the eco-project,' is
increasing.''
The Environment Ministry plans to more than double the number of supporting
enterprises to 50 and that of registered consumers to 10 million in and after
the next fiscal year.
Environment Minister Tetsuo Saito said, ''The eco-point business in tie-ups
between the entire country and enterprises is the world's first. We would like
to lead the world in building a global model.''
==Kyodo
2008-12-03 22:29:07


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