Promoting efforts aimed at achieving carbon neutrality

　Under circumstances where extreme weather events and other impacts of climate change have become apparent around the world, there is an urgent need for the entire globe to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. As for Japan, the government has declared its goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050.
To achieve carbon neutrality, it is necessary to take multidirectional measures, such as thorough energy conservation; decarbonization of power sources by using renewable energy (solar power, wind power, etc.), hydrogen and the like; and the development and industrialization of negative emission technologies that capture and store CO2. For the implementation of these measures, it is important for industry, consumers, government, and other stakeholders to make all-out efforts.

The Chubu region is a cluster of manufacturing industries, the foremost of which is the automotive industry, and many companies are making tireless efforts to reduce their energy consumption. Under these circumstances, to pursue thorough energy conservation in the Chubu region and help reduce greenhouse gases in Japan, we properly enforce the Act on the Rational Use of Energy, promote support services related to energy conservation and power saving measures, and make advanced examples of such measures widely known.

To further popularize and spread the J-Credit system, under which the Japanese government certifies the amount of CO2 and other GHG emissions reduced or removed by sinks as “credit” (value), we support companies putting effort into decarbonization and implement initiatives aimed at using credits in a way that is conducive to regional revitalization, more specifically, encouraging credits to be produced and consumed locally (Chubu CO2 Credit).

Through the establishment of a collaboration platform to encourage the local production and consumption of energy in order to solve issues in the Chubu region (nickname: Chubu Gururin Energy PF), we help local energy companies conduct not only energy businesses but also businesses aimed at solving issues in the region. We expect that this initiative will contribute to regional revitalization and create a virtuous cycle for the economy and the environment in the region.

　To build a hydrogen society where hydrogen is widely used in our daily lives, the national government and various companies make concerted efforts to proceed with demonstration experiments. In the Chubu region too, we will support efforts and demonstration projects to expand the utilization of hydrogen energy in collaboration with, for example, local governments, companies and universities.

Promoting the conversion to highly cyclical business models and properly implementing systems relating to the 3Rs

While the car and aircraft manufacturing industries play central roles as the arterial industries of the Chubu region’s manufacturing industry, recyclers with advanced technological capabilities provide support as the vein industries. On the other hand, while environmental awareness is growing globally, as reflected in efforts to promote the SDGs and increase ESG investment, the realization of a green society requires the development of highly cyclical business models as soon as possible.
Under these circumstances, to strengthen the Chubu region’s industrial competitiveness by promoting conversion to a circular economy, we, together with companies and research institutes inside and outside the region, encourage collaboration between the arterial and vein industries to help upgrade and promote cyclical business models that maximize the advantages of the region’s manufacturers.
In addition, we actively promote the 3R policies (the reduction, reuse and recycling of waste), and also properly enforce and promote individual recycling laws, such as those regarding cars and home appliances. Moreover, with the enforcement of the Plastic Resource Circulation Act in response to the growing importance of plastic resource recycling in recent years, we are working on advancing resource recycling initiatives.

Circular Economy Symposium
Photo courtesy of the Sustainable Management Promotion Organization

Plastic Resource Circulation Act enforced on April 1, 2022