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3.4 Profile of Activities of the Energy Conservation Center of Japan in Enhancement of Energy Efficiency in the Commercial and Residential Sectors
by Yukie Kawaguchi, Energy Conservation Center of Japan, Tokyo, Japan
The Energy Conservation Centre of Japan
(ECCJ) has been established to promote energy conservation throughout the entire economy and society in Japan. Several of the programmes conducted by ECCJ are dedicated in particular to the commercial and residential energy end use sectors. Through its various awareness creation campaigns ECCJ seeks to enlighten people about the opportunities and merits of energy conservation. In the implementation of its
programmes, ECCJ collaborates closely with self-governing communities, manufacturing enterprises, NGOs and related civil society organizations. This paper presents a short summary profile of ECCJ activities in the spectrum of consumer awareness creation work.
3.4.1 Activities to promote energy conservation education in schools
ECCJ has designated 150 schools nationwide as energy conservation model schools, and it supports their educational activities for energy conservation. The Centre provides support regarding content and methods of education concerning energy and the environment.
ECCJ has conducted a total of 20 training sessions (two sessions in each of 10 districts nationwide with a total of 1,000 participants) for teachers of elementary or junior high schools in order to support energy conservation education.
The Centre has designed "energy conservation poster contests" for elementary or junior high school students, and it has also developed a framework for "short essay contests on energy conservation" for senior high school (or older) students. In addition, public information campaigns have been designed and launched to raise the awareness among the general public.
ECCJ provides lecturers and training support to schools and other educational institutes and it has already conducted energy conservation classes at 100 elementary schools throughout Japan.
ECCJ has prepared a considerable number of teaching aids, including leaflets, videotapes, and other materials, which are made available to educational institutions upon their request.
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3.4.2 "Energy Conservation Republics"
ECCJ supports "grass-roots" activities by local communities, including local groups who take actions for energy-saving, recycling and a better environment. Schools, self-governing communities, consumer groups, sports groups and other civil society groups have been supported in declaring themselves "Energy Conservation Republics". "Energy Conservation Republics" set their own goals and plans. Moneys saved through the various day-to-day energy-saving activities are re-invested in social projects. Elementary schools and local authorities are at the center of this activity. At the time of preparation of this report 36 such "Republics" had been created. To further stimulate the activities of "Energy Conservation Republics" as action centers for the local implementation of energy conservation projects
ECCJ, in cooperation with other entities, periodically convenes "Energy Conservation Republic Summits". At these events, protagonists of energy conservation projects are given the opportunity to exchange information of their respective programmes and programme results.
3.4.3 Promotion of regional energy conservation activities
In order to effectively advocate changes towards more energy conscious lifestyles ECCJ has launched a programme under which it subsidies local campaign expenses of NGOs and other civil society groups. In addition, ECCJ issues the "Energy Conservation Ambassador"
newletter. ECCJ also appoints distinguished personalities as "Energy Conservation Ambassadors". During the fiscal year 2000, 58 distinguished persons were designated this honorary function.
3.4.4 Product development: "Energy Conservation
Navi"
ECCJ has promoted the development of a new energy consumption monitoring device which is being marketed under the name "Energy Conservation
Navi". In the start-up phase 5,700 households have been provided with this "electricity fee indication system" ("Energy Conservation
Navi"). "Navi" indicates in real-time the volume of electricity used and the electricity fee every minute. The "Energy Conservation
Navi" aims to enhance consciousness toward energy conservation through the efficacy of direct visual confirmation in comparing with electricity fees of the previous month. In addition to electricity consumption, the
"Navi" device can also monitor the residential use of other utilities such as gas and water. A limited number of the
"navi" device have also been installed in office and commercial buildings for trial purposes.
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3.4.5 Promotion of energy conserving life-styles ("Smart Life")
ECCJ promotes a comprehensive awareness creation campaign to enlighten consumers about energy conservation opportunities suitable to interests of various target groups. The "Smart-life" campaign provides information on energy saving opportunities in "clothing", "eating", "housing", and "transportation".
It has been observed that formal office attire and similar clothing which keeps the body warm is not quite suitable for hot summer months or tropical climates. Therefore, the "Smart life" campaign propagates new concepts such as innovative business wear using comfortable energy-conservation materials and energy-conservation fashions.
The campaign also provides suggestions on healthy nutrition and environmentally conscious food consumption.
The "Smart life" campaign of ECCJ disseminates suggestions on energy conservation including aspects such as home insulation, heating and cooling techniques as well as other aspects of building designs.
The advocacy campaign of ECCJ also provides information on energy conservation opportunities in transportation. ECCJ seeks to popularize electric cars, natural gas cars and low consumption vehicles.
3.4.6 Dissemination of information on energy efficiency in appliances
ECCJ provides up-to-date information to consumers. The goal is to popularize and promote energy efficient appliances over their less efficient counterparts.
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3.4.6.1 Energy conservation performance ranking catalogs
ECCJ provides consumers with information on the energy efficiency rating of appliances which consume large amount of energy (i.e.; air conditioners, television sets, refrigerators, washing machines, lighting systems and copiers). Twice a year, ECCJ issues public information brochures and catalogs with test results. Information is also provided to the public via the ECCJ Internet homepage. During the fiscal year 2000, a total of 270,000 copies of the ECCJ brochures were printed and distributed via electric appliance stores, consumer life centers and through other distribution points.
3.4.6.2 Energy labelling
Energy labelling has recently been introduced in Japan. The labelling system focuses on five types of home appliances: air conditioners, fluorescent lamps, televisions, electric refrigerators, and electric freezers. The label indicates the rating of energy efficiency in comparison with products of other manufacturers. Labels are very useful for consumers as they provide information on the quality of products. Labels help consumers to select energy efficient products. ECCJ support the introduction of labels through public relation campaigns.
3.4.6.3 Implementation of the international "Energy Star" programme
In order to reduce stand-by electricity consumption of the main office equipment, ECCJ regularly surveys the performance of seven selected items: computers, displays, printers, facsimiles, copiers and scanners. ECCJ administers the International "Energy Star" Programme in Japan in line with agreements between Japan and the U.S. During the fiscal year 2000, some 13,000 product models have been registered and 52,000 public information pamphlets have been issued and distributed.
3.4.6.4 Monitoring of household energy conservation
During the fiscal year 2000, ECCJ surveyed and monitored the implementation of energy conservation measures at the household level. The survey results have been used to identify specific social target groups and to formulate target specific recommendation. During the fiscal year 2001, ECCJ will conduct further monitoring on the degree of implementation of "recommended measures for energy conservation". The survey results are also being made available to researchers, local communities and local governments concerned with the promotion of energy efficiency in their constituencies.
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3.4.6.5 General dissemination of information on energy consumption
ECCJ collects and analyzes information on energy consumption, both from Japan and from other countries. ECCJ data seek to distinguish consumption data by sectors. The data analysis distinguishes consumption in the commercial and residential sectors, the industrial sector and the transportation sector. ECCJ maintains six databases, including magazine articles, case studies on energy conservation in factories, profiles of energy conservation projects from abroad, literature, research reports on energy conservation, and articles in "Energy Conservation", the monthly magazine of
ECCJ.
3.4.6.6 Selection and public announcement of Great Energy Conservation Prize Winners (the commercial and residential sector)
ECCJ organizes a competition and awards a "Great Energy Conservation Prize". The award programme targets in particular manufacturers of home appliances. ECCJ conducts publicity campaigns to support the public recognition of the prize winning enterprises. During the fiscal year 2000 a total of 32,000 pamphlets have been printed and distributed to the public, in particular during the times of the ENEX exhibition.
3.4.6.7 E-mail consultations
ECCJ maintains an E-mail consumer advice and counseling service. Inquiries received are usually responded to within two days. The information disseminated in this matter relates to product information, questions pertaining to the interpretation of the Law Concerning the Rational Use of Energy, questions on energy conservation, clarification on the applications of the tax incentive system, and similar related issues.
3.4.6.8 Supply of information regarding energy consumption and carbon dioxide emissions
Through its homepage, ECCJ provides information on observed trends in energy consumption and carbon dioxide emissions. The data published include energy consumption plans and targets, actual energy consumption and actual
CO2 emissions. Sector trends are also published wherever data are available.
Further information on ECCJ activities in the promotion of energy conservation in the commercial and residential sector can be obtained from the ECCJ web site:
http://www.eccj.or.jp
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