Abstract
Until now, as a way of reducing greenhouse gas emissions from Japanese homes, the emphasis has been on reduction of energy consumption for air-conditioning and lighting. In recent years, there has been progress in CO2 emission reduction through research into the water-saving performance of bathroom fixtures such as toilets and showers. Simulations have shown that CO2 emissions associated with water consumption in Japanese homes can be reduced by 25% (1% of Japan’s total CO2 emissions) by 2020 through the adoption of the use of water-saving fixtures. In response to this finding, a program to promote the replacement of current fixtures with water-saving toilet bowls and thermally insulated bathtubs has been added to the Government of Japan’s energy-saving policy. Furthermore, CO2 emission reduction through widespread use of water-saving fixtures has been adopted by the domestic credit system promoted by the Government of Japan as a way of achieving CO2 emission-reduction targets; application of this credit system has also begun. As part of a bilateral offset credit mechanism promoted by the Government of Japan, research to evaluate the CO2 reduction potential of the adoption of water-saving fixtures has been done in the city of Dalian, in China.
Highlights
Japan is in the first commitment period (2008 to 2012) of the Kyoto Protocol, and has assumed responsibility for a 6% reduction in greenhouse gas on the basis of emission in 1990
In Japan, research relating to water-saving performance of bathroom fixtures such as toilets and showers with CO2 reduction has progressed, and the fact that the widespread use of water-saving fixtures can be effective in CO2 reduction has been recognized
The results showed that a 25% reduction of such CO2 emission (1% of the total emission of Japan) can be achieved by 2020 through a combination of development of water-saving fixtures for industry, increased administrative support for the widespread use of these fixtures, and efforts to increase users’ awareness of water-saving measures
Summary
Japan is in the first commitment period (2008 to 2012) of the Kyoto Protocol, and has assumed responsibility for a 6% reduction in greenhouse gas (described as CO2 below) on the basis of emission in 1990. Measures to reduce emissions from the housing sector have become important for promoting future CO2 reduction [1]. In order to promote the replacement of conventional appliances with environmentally friendly cars and energy-saving home appliances and lighting, tax reduction and replacement subsidies, known as home appliance Eco-points, have been introduced. In Japan, research relating to water-saving performance of bathroom fixtures such as toilets and showers with CO2 reduction has progressed, and the fact that the widespread use of water-saving fixtures can be effective in CO2 reduction has been recognized. Housing Eco-point subsidies have been introduced to promote the replacement of traditional toilets with water-saving ones. The method of reducing CO2 using water-saving fixtures was adopted in the domestic credit system, which is one of the techniques used in Japan to achieve the targets for reduction of CO2 emissions. Recent studies on the effect of water saving on global warming and an example demonstrating the application of the carbon credits related to water saving are outlined
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