Environmental Conservation
At COP3 held in Kyoto in December 1997, targets were set by industrialized countries for the reduction ofgreenhouse gas emissions. The Japanese government has embraced Japan’s goal of a 6% average cut inemissions between 2008 and 2012, compared with 1990 levels. Natural gas—one of the cleanest burning of
all fossil fuels—is seen in many quarters as an important energy source for achieving this. As part of its
ongoing environmental stewardship and to show leadership in environmental management, Tokyo Gas formulated a new environmental policy in June 2000. Our basic aim is the continuous reduction of the environmental impact of energy use by our customers as well as by our own business activities.

The Environment-Friendly Strengths of Natural Gas

Comparison of Emissions by Fuel (When Burned) Coal=100

Natural gas is a clean energy resource. Compared with oil and coal, natural
nitrogen oxides (NOx), both of which are major factors in global warming,and NOx contributes to acid rain. Furthermore, it produces no sulfur oxides

NOxSOxgas, when burned, produces less emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) andNaturalGas

OilCoalNatural OilGas

Coal

CO2Natural Oil
Gas

Coal

80100(SOx). Comparatively, this makes our business activities environmentally
70conscious, as clean-burning natural gas is our primary energy resource.
We intend to continue contributing to sustainable progress in society throughefforts to promote greater use of natural gas and our wide-ranging envi-

0100
20-40

70

100

60

Source: IEA Natural Gas Prospects (1986)
Natural Gas Prospects and Policies (1991)

ronmental conservation activities.

ISO Certificationequipment, pipes and other industrial waste. In a similar vein, we are radi-Obtaining ISO certification has been positioned as a high management

cally reducing the amount of earth removed from pipeline construction sites.

priority. In March 1997, both the Negishi and Sodegaura LNG terminals
gas industry to obtain this international certification, which attests to theCountermeasures Against Soil Contamination of Sites
of Former Gas Manufacturing Plants

high quality of our environmental management systems. The Ohgishima LNG

Since fiscal 1999, Tokyo Gas, has in accordance with guidelines stipulated

Terminal followed suit in January 2000, meaning all our LNG terminals areby Japan’s Ministry of the Environment, been continuously carrying out

ISO 14001 certified. In March 2000, the Shinjuku District Heating andvoluntary site inspections and surveys of company-owned land, namely sites

Cooling Center became the first district heat supplier in Japan to attain ISOof former gas manufacturing plants, where there is a possibility of soil con-14001 certification. The Makuhari District Heating and Cooling Center did

tamination. Completed in June 2002, the surveys found soil contamination

likewise in January 2002.

at 26 out of 30 sites. Tokyo Gas is prepared to do the necessary remediationobtained ISO 14001 certification; these facilities were the first in Japan’smeasures in respect of these sites.

Recycling Initiatives
ronmental impact of our activities. We are building a proprietary system

Development and Application of Technologies to Reduce
Environmental Impact

called SRIMS (Saving Recycling Innovative Model System) to facilitate

Tokyo Gas feels that it is our mission to reduce the environmental impact

the efficient collection, separation, management and disposal of used gasof our customers when they utilize energy. Gas cogeneration systems andRecycling and decreasing waste volumes are other ways we reduce the envi-

16 TOKYO GAS Annual Report 2002

Overview of Tokyo Gas’ Environmental Accounting

Environmental Preservation Benefits

Investments and Expenses for Environmental
Preservation by Tokyo Gas
Tokyo Gas Operation

Customer Utilization● Pollution prevention● Global environmental● Environmental R&D● Recycling of used gas appliances● Reduction in substances with environmental impact(emissions in relevant units)● Reduction of waste● (Reference) Reduction of substances with an environmen-➔

tal impact at customers’ level

preservation● Resource recycling● Environmental manage-

Actual Economic BenefitsContributions to Societyment➔● Other measures● Cost savings● Profits on sale of items of value

derived from ordinary businessactivities

Overview of Tokyo Gas’ Environmental Accounting
Environmental accounting results for the year ended March 31, 2002 show that the parent company invested approximately ¥1.2 billion and incurred
expenses of roughly ¥5.3 billion for environmental preservation. There are two central features of Tokyo Gas’ environmental accounting. One is theextremely low environmental impact of gas production, supply and other activities due to the completion of a switch to natural gas. The other is anemphasis on research into methods to reduce the environmental impact of gas utilization by customers, mainly through the development of highly efficient gas appliances and systems such as micro cogeneration systems. More detailed information concerning Tokyo Gas’ environmental accounting iscontained in our Environmental Report 2002.

gas-fired air conditioning are just a few of the many technologies that areEnvironmental Communication and Information Disclosure

being widely adopted to increase energy efficiency. In the fuel cell field,Since 1994, we have been publishing an environmental report, fulfilling ourTokyo Gas is developing an on-site fuel cell generation system that boasts

social responsibility to make public information about our environmental

high generation and energy efficiency and emits almost no atmosphericactivities. Moreover, in 1996 we started posting environmental information

pollutants. High hopes are held for the use of fuel cells in future residential

on our website (http://www.tokyo-gas.co.jp/env/index_e.html).

cogeneration systems. Natural gas vehicles (NGVs) are also playing an integral role in reducing the environmental impact of transportation. The Japanese government has set a target of having 1 million NGVs on Japan’s roads
by 2010. In addition, with an eye on the future, we are also seeking new,environmentally friendly forms of energy, such as methane hydrate.

Annual Report 2002 TOKYO GAS 17