Environmental ReportMessage from the President
Masato Fujisawa, University President
April
2005:	Professor at Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine
February 2014:	Director of Kobe University Hospital
February 2018:	Advisor to the President of Kobe University
2019:	Dean of Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine and
April
School of Medicine
April
2021:	President of Kobe University

Located in an international port city, Kobe University constantly
strives to pursue knowledge and cultivate human resources who
can contribute towards society, in keeping with its ideal of fostering ‘harmony between theory and reality’. The university has
produced many graduates with active careers across all fields.
Looking at the world today, there are many problems occurring
on a global scale, such as the COVID-19 pandemic that began
the year before last. Natural disasters such as earthquakes
and localized torrential rains; climate problems related to global
warming; environmental and energy crises facing societies that
aim to become carbon-free; poverty, famine, and food-related
problems in developing countries; human rights issues related
to race and gender; peace issues involving nuclear weapons;
the chaos of international politics; health and welfare issues insuper-aging societies. There is no end to the list of challenges
we must face, and all of these are global issues that the wholeworld must tackle together. At Kobe University, we aim to actively
engage in cutting-edge international joint research and education
directed towards resolving these worldwide problems.
With regard to Japan, Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga announced
in his general policy speech at the 203rd Extraordinary Diet
Session on October 26, 2020 that: “We will aim for zero total
greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. In other words, we are aiming to realize a carbon-neutral, carbon-free society by 2050.” Ata climate summit held by the United States on April 22, 2021, headded the following target for greenhouse gas reduction in Japan
by FY 2030, “We will reduce [emissions] by 46% from FY 2013,and continue to challenge ourselves to reach the goal of 50%,”
stating, “As a country that supports the world’s manufacturing,
I want Japan to lead the world in becoming carbon-free by setting an ambitious top-level goal that is appropriate for our future
growth strategy.”

To become a carbon-neutral society by 2050, not only technological innovation, but also economic and social innovation isessential, and for that, broad knowledge spanning the humanities and social sciences to the natural sciences is necessary.
Through their education, research, and activities that contributeto society, universities are expected to develop the scientificknowledge that forms the basis of governmental/regional policies
and innovation, and have a mandate to make this knowledge
widespread. Universities also play an important role in encouraging their communities to become carbon-neutral by serving
as hubs of knowledge in each community, then expanding that
community model to the rest of the world.
In light of this, Kobe University will participate in the University Coalition for Achieving Carbon Neutrality as a platform to
improve the university’s function and dissemination power bystrengthening cooperation with national and local governments,
businesses, and other universities and colleges both in Japanand abroad. Mirror-ing the slogan of ‘multidisciplinary co-creationand collaboration’, all of our staff and students will work together
in order to bring about creative improvements and invigorate
Kobe University’s core image as a global knowledge hub thatwill enliven the bright societies of the future. In a society that
continues to change as we reach the end of the COVID-19
pandemic, Kobe University will become the center of thecommunity, aiding the local revital-ization of the economy,
culture, life, the environment and human activity, while doing ourutmost to transmit information through-out Japan and the world
in order to benefit global society.
Thank you all for your continued support and cooperation.

Environmental Charter
Kobe University established an Environmental Charter on September 26, 2006 and carries out various environmental conservation activities based on these basic philosophy and policies. The environmental and energy-saving efforts of the university are summarized in anannually publicized environmental report.

Basic Philosophy
As a world-class center for research and education, Kobe University endeavors to advance initiatives that address two crucial
modern-day issues: environmental conservation and the creationof a sustainable society.
This university is committed to building pathways towards therealization of a sustainable society, something that remains ashared goal for humanity. To do this, we are utilizing the local
mountains and oceans to cultivate capable, environmentally-aware individuals. We regularly publicize academic informationfrom the cosmopolitan city of Kobe to the rest of the world, andwe are leading the way in environmental conservation efforts.

natural sciences, and collaborating with global and local society,
we strive to cultivate highly compassionate individuals who possess a thorough understanding of the environment.

2. Promote Research to Maintain and Support the Global
Environment
It is necessary to consolidate the results of numerous researchstudies in order to overcome the various challenges facing toworld, conserve the Earth’s environment and create sustainable
societies. We promote research into environmental problems inindividual fields as well as interdisciplinary research that combines related fields, and strive to disseminate the results both
locally and globally.

3. Take a Leading Role in Environmental Conservation

Basic Policies
1.Cultivate and Support Environmentally Aware Individuals
A university’s greatest obligation is the cultivation of people. We
continuously revise our educational programs in order to foster
the development of individuals who are always conscious of the
global environment and the impact of their behavior on it. By
combining knowledge of the humanities, social sciences, andEach individual’s behavior is important when it comes to conserving the Earth’s environment. Through our daily activities, we
protect the environment, make efficient use of energy and natural
resources, and rigorously manage dangerous substances, thus
setting an example as an environmentally-conscious campus.
Furthermore, we disclose information about our environmental conservation activities, continuing to make improvements
through communication with those involved.

Kobe University Environmental Performance
Basic Policy to Encourage Environmental
Management During the Third Mid-Term Goal Period

Environmental Management

Conservation of the global environment and the creation of sustainable societies are the most important issues of our time. In working toward the "Kobe University Vision", we will do our utmost, as an institute for education andresearch which meets the highest international standards, to tackle theseissues through all our activities at the university. Based on the Kobe University
Environmental Charter and the Kobe University Basic Policy on Environmental
and Facility Management, which summarize the basics of this university's environmental and facility management, we established the following environmental management policy during the Third Mid-Term Goal Period.

●Environmental Management Policy
Conservation of the global environment and the creation of sustainable societies are the most important
issues of our time. In working toward the "Kobe University Vision", we will do our utmost, as an institutefor education and research which meets the highest international standards, to tackle these issues
through all our activities at the university. In March 2016, we established the Basic Policy to Encourage
Environmental Management During the Third Mid-Term Goal Period (FY2016 to FY2022), which was
based on the Kobe University Environmental Charter and the Kobe University Basic Policy on Environmental and Facility Management. Our environmental conservation activities are based on this policy.

I. Promote the 3Rs
By promoting the 3Rs (reduce, reuse, and recycle) among all university
members, we will take assertive action to reduce waste while simultaneously reducing resource consumption.

II. Efforts to Streamline Energy Use
By promoting effective energy usage practices, we will work to reduce theaverage yearly energy consumption rate* by more than 1%, and reduce
CO2 emissions throughout the university.
(*) Consumption rate measured according to the total floor area of buildings.

III. Execute and Maintain Environmental Management Cycles
To encourage environmental management, we will continue to develop
an ongoing action plan and implement our PDCA cycle.

●Paper Waste Reduction Initiative
The results of an investigation into trash can garbage and garbage collection sites by a group of environment surveyors found that the amount ofrecyclable paper mixed in with trash had decreased, and garbage was being sorted appropriately for the most part.
We are continuing our activities to encourage environmental management. Posters on trash separation and recycling are put up in each department in orderto spread awareness on proper separation
Please Cooperate in
and disposal of recyclables (cans, glass,
Recycling Leftover Paper
PET bottles), combustible trash, non-comRecyclable Paper
bustible trash, recyclable paper, confidential
documents, etc. In addition, we designed
standardized stickers for trash cans. These
stickers are attached to separated bins inareas such as hallways to promote the 3Rs
Garbage investigation
Garbage investigation
with regards to paper usage and waste.
Magazines, pamphlets,
catalogs, posters

Calendars, sketchbooks, paper files(remove metal fittings)

Paper boxes, wrapping
paper (candy, food packaging, medicine, etc.), tissue
boxes (not including
cellophane and othernon-paper parts)

Envelopes (not including
cellophane from transparent
bordered envelopes), money
envelopes, gift envelopes,
postcards, business cards,
letters, DM (not including
vinyl)

Paper bags (notincluding non-paper handles)

Used books (paperbacks,
pocket books), dictionaries(not including vinyl
coverings or other non-paper items), catalogs,
posters

Shredded paper(if recyclable)

Cardboard tubes (don’t cut
open toilet paper andwrapping paper tubes,
leave them as they are),paper egg cartons(indoors)(outdoors)

Copy paper, memo paper(not including thermal paper)

Textbooks, notebooks,
school printouts,
origami, Japanesewriting paper, drawing
paper (including paperwith ink or paint)

Card stock for mounting shirts or stockings,
paper clothing tags

*Cellophane, vinyl, and plastic are burnable trash.

Collection Methods
Distribute trash bins andbags in rooms and otherlocations to collectrecyclable paper in thecourse of everyday use.

Place inside anunneeded paperbag, envelope,etc.

Stack magazines, etc. andtie with a cord.

Wrap up any
unneeded
paper with acord, etc.

etc.

*Illustrations are taken from Kobe City pamphlet entitled “Do You Know? Leftover Paper Can Be Recycled.”

Separate trash cans

Stickers indicating waste
separation

Containers for recyclable
paper

Shredders for confidential
documents！

or specially processed paper ●Photos
The items to the ●Water-proofed(vinyl-coated paper, paper cups, waxed●Paper with adhesives (stickers, photoright cannot be
paper used for detergent boxes, etc.) (mostly albums, etc.)●Synthetic paper (Braille books, etc.)
dissolved in water, paper items that cannot be torn by hand)●Thermal paper (fax paper, etc.)●Iron-on transfer paper
so they cannot be ●Carbon paper (shipping slips, receipts,●Paper soiled with foodetc.)●CDs and DVDs included with magazines
recycled!

Center for Environmental Management

Created November, 2016

Material BalanceMaterial balance is the amount of energy and resources used for conducting business activities (“input”), and the environmental load generated bythose activities (“output”).
As our basic policy for environmental management, Kobe University promotes activities related to the 3Rs (reduce, reuse, recycle) activities, thestreamlining energy usage, and the continued implementation of the environmental management cycle. We are actively working to conserve theenvironment based on this policy.
INPUT
Total energy

GJ

FY 2020

University Overview

800,973

Student body (undergraduate)

People11,521CO2 output volume

t-CO2

33,59064,618Student body (graduate)

People4,559

Wastewater

1,000m3

296.6

3,816

Study body (affiliated institutions)

People

1,315

0.31

Foreign student body

People1,227

Waste material (OA paper, newspaper,t
cardboard, confidential documents, etc.)

11,420Waste material (raw garbage) t

3.8

Waste material (combustible waste) t

532.3

Waste material (large items) t

143.0

Waste material (non-combustible waste) t

0.0

Electricity consumption MWh
Gas consumption

1,000m3

Heavy oil consumption kL
3

City and other water usage 1,000m

287.1

3

Miscellaneous water usage 1,000m
Paper usage

39.4

t

127.46

Proportion of energy Tsurukabuto 1 15,671 2%
used by each campus Fukae 19,748 2%
Rokkodai 1
or complex

Students on academic scholarships

Rokkodai 2
202,37225%

PeopleTeaching faculty

People5,145

Foreign exchange programswith overseas universities

Institutions

372

Tsurukabuto 2 11,593 1%
Myodani 10,663 1%
Akashi,Okubo,
Sumiyoshi 1
7,326 1%

28,108
4%Port Island 3
28,162
4%FY 2020

Kusunoki
477,33060%

Proportion of CO2
emitted by each
campus or complex

OUTPUT

Tsurukabuto 1 634 2%
Fukae 789 2%

259.6

Tsurukabuto 2 449 1%
Myodani 433 1%
Akashi,Okubo,
Sumiyoshi 1
297 1%

Port Island 3
1,098 3%

Rokkodai 1
1,157
4%

Units:GJFY 2020

Rokkodai 2
8,409
25%

Kusunoki
20,324
61%

Units: t-CO2

Kobe University Environmental Performance
Energy Conservation and Climate Change Prevention●Energy Consumption●Electricity Consumption

In FY 2020, energy consumption from electricity, gas, and heavy oil
totaled approximately 801,000 gigajoules (*1). Energy consumption decreased by 5.9% compared to FY 2019, and the energy
consumption per unit area (calculated by dividing the energy consumption by the total floor area of all buildings) also decreased by
5.7% compared to FY 2019. We will continue to work to conserve
energy.
*1: Converted calorific values for electricity, heavy oil, gas, etc.

In FY 2020, the electricity use at our 11 main building complexes
decreased 5.6% from the previous fiscal year.

based on Article 4 of Regulations on Rationalization of Energy
Use, etc.

Total (1,000 kWh)
(1,000 kWh)

(kWh/㎡）

Consumption rate (kWh/m2)

70,64671,000142

70,021140.1
69,000138.9

68,82868,644

137

136.5
134.2
67,000132126.7 127

65,00064,618（ＧＪ）
900,000

890,869

880,038
861,934

63,0000851,370

FY 2016

Rokkodai 2

850,000

800,973
800,000
233,805

221,549

218,373700,000

650,000

600,000

550,000

202,372

27,531
8,204
26,052
13,14917,872

28,594
8,321
25,188
12,966
16,98926,57542,085495,596

25,42627,3097,723
23,922
13,037
14,991
23,63940,66039,584

38,118493,824

FY 2016

Fukae
Myodani

27,175
7,661
24,49012,786
15,812
24,338500,000

０

Akashi,Okubo,
Sumiyoshi 1

228,070750,000

Port
Island 3

488,539

FY 2017

FY 2018

484,258
FY 2019

FY 2017

FY 2018

FY 2019134.2 kWh/m2

5.6% reduction

In FY 2020, city gas usage at our 11 main building complexes decreased 5.6% from the previous fiscal year.

Rokkodai 1

28,108477,330

Kusunoki(1,000 m3)

Tsurukabuto 1

FY 2020

10.0
4,420

4,400

4,200

4,385

9.5
4,155

8.77

8.70

4,000

t-CO2/1,000m2(Consumption rate)

80.0
35,354

7.92

7.5

7.0
FY 2016

FY 2017

FY 20197.92m3/m2

70.0

FY 2019

FY 2020

0

FY 20207.48m3/m2

5.6% reduction●Heavy Oil Consumption
Heavy oil consumption for FY 2020 decreased by 40.0% fromthe previous fiscal year. This is a result of alterations made since
FY2017, including the demolition of an absorption-type water cooler/heater’s fuel tank in the Fukae region, changing to gas sources,
as well as increasing the use of electric heat pumps.

50

33,962

FY 2018

Figure 4: Gas consumption

(kL)

68.8

8.0

3,600

75.0

34,68034,000

8.5

8.24

7.48

3,400
0

36,000

70.1

9.0
4,053

3,816

CO2 emissions (33,590 t-CO2) per unit floor area (510,188 m2) in
FY 2020 increased by 1.08% compared to the previous fiscal year.
While energy consumption did decrease (Figure 1), we assume
that changing electricity suppliers in FY2020 also had an effect on
this result.

35,000(㎥/㎡)

Consumption rate (m3/m2)

4,600

FY 2020
1,570 GJ/1,000m2

Total (t-CO2)
Consumption rate (t-CO2 /㎡)

FY 2020
126.7 kWh/m2

Total (1,000 kWh)

Tsurukabuto 2
28,162
7,326
19,748
10,663
11,593
15,671●CO2 Emissions

t-CO2(CO2 emissions)1220●City Gas Consumption

3,800

5.7% reduction

FY 2020

Figure 3: Electricity consumption

Figure 1: Energy consumption

FY 2019
1,665 GJ/1,000m2

FY 2019

Total (kL)Consumption rate (L/m3)

49.92
0.099

(L/㎡)

0.10

40

0.08

30

0.06

33,59033,272
67.4
33,000
65.1

65.8

65.0

20

0.04

12.10
0.024

0.02

10

32,0000

FY 2016

FY 2017

FY 2018

FY 2019

Figure 22: CO2 emissions

FY 2020

60.0
0

1.11
0.002

0
FY 2016

FY 2017

FY 2018

0.76
0.001

0.31
0.0006

FY 2019

FY 2020

0.00

Figure 5: Heavy oil consumption

FY 20190.001 L/m2

40% reduction

FY 20200.0006 L/m2

Kobe University Environmental Performance
we divided it into six units that we uploaded separately, to reduce file size and to
make it possible for people to watch only the necessary units. Each unit is aboutfour minutes long, collectively forming an E-learning tool with a total length of justover 20 minutes. We used sound composition software to facilitate deeper understanding by not only providing on-screen text but also voiceover.
We will continue to find ways to improve understanding by adding confirmation
tests, etc., while at the same time continuing to revise the content in accordancewith amendments to laws and ordinances.

Resource Conservation and Recycling●Water Usage
Water usage for FY 2020 decreased
by 91,000m3 (21.8%) compared tothe previous fiscal year.
In particular, we believe that remotelearning had a big impact on reducing water usage at the Rokkodai and
Tsurukabuto campuses.
At Rokkodai, we are conserving
resources by using river water from
Mt. Rokko for toilets and experiments. We will continue working on
ways to use water resources efficiently.

Miscellaneous water
Well water

1,000m3
500
444

438

418

415
74

400

City water
Total

74

72

77

327
94

115

300

39
120

117

110
200

Green Purchasing and Procurement and Environmentally Friendly Contracts

270

254

225

221

100

177

FY 2016

FY 2017

FY 2018

FY 2019

FY 2020

Figure 6: Water usage
Waste volume(t)Recycling rate(%)

Waste volume(t)

Recycling volume(t)Recycling rate
（%）

1,800

●Waste

35

1,600

30

1,400
25
1,200
1,000

20

800

15

600
10
400
5

200

0

0
FY 2016

FY 2018

FY 2017

FY 2019

FY 2020

Figure 7: Amount of waste generated％
100

100.0 100.0 100.0

96.1

90
80
70
60
50

47.6
45.8 45.9

40

34.3

30
20
10

0.0

0.0

0.0

Large items

Non-combustible
waste

Other

PET bottles

Combustible
waste

Bottles

0.0
Cans

0.0
Raw garbage

Confidential
documents

Cardboard

Magazines

Newspaper

0.0
Other paper0
OA paper

Waste volume from FY 2016-2020
is shown in Figure 7. Waste volume
for FY 2020 was 938.7 t, a 21.0%
increase from FY 2019.
However, the recycling rate in FY
2020 was 29.7%, higher than in FY
2019.
The FY 2020 recycling rate by
waste type is shown in Figure 8.
According to this figure, it is clearthat the recycling rate for OA paper,
newspapers, magazines, and cardboard has not improved. If the recycling rate for paper reaches 90%,
the total recycling rate for all waste
will increase from approximately
29.7% to 39.9% (calculated according to FY 2020 waste volume).
Kobe University will follow its basic
policy to encourage environmental
management, and work to further
improve the recycling rate.

●Green Purchasing and Procurement

0

The Act on Promotion of Procurement of Eco-Friendly Goods and Services by theState and Other Entities (Green Purchasing Law) was implemented in April 2004.
This law stipulates the necessary procedures for the promotion of environmentallyfriendly goods procurement, etc. by the national government, providing information
on increasing the demand for such goods, and aims to realize a society capable ofsustainable development with less impact on the environment. It was establishedwith the aim of contributing to people’s health and cultural life both now and in the
future, with the government and other organizations taking the initiative in stimulating the purchase of environmentally friendly goods.
Based on this Act, Kobe University creates a policy for procuring eco-friendly materials every year. It procures materials
based on this policy, publicizes the Table 12: Achievements in green purchasing
results, and provides reports to theand procurement in FY 2019
Ministry of Environment and Ministry
Total procurement Procurement rate
Category
Itemof Education, Culture, Sports, Scivolume
for specific items
Copy
paper
127,109kg
100%
ence and Technology.
Paper
Toilet paper
39,877kg
100%
The university conducted a study on
Other1,318kg
100%
Ballpoint
pens
8,320
100%
procurement results for 275 items
Envelopes
187,644100%
across 22 fields. A selection of Stationery(paper)Other
63,921100%
these results for 9 major fields aredesks, etc.
2,519
100%
shown in Table 12. In FY 2020, we Office furniture, etc. Chairs,
Copy machines,
6,046
100%
achieved a 100% procurement rate OA equipment printers, etc.
FluorescentLighting
8,786
100%
for the designated items.
tubes
Curtains
186
100%
We will continue to create procure- InteriorWork gloves
4,663
100%
ment policies based on the Green Other
textile
Blue
26
100%
tarpaulins
Purchasing Law, and proactively products
Services
Printing
254
100%
work to procure eco-friendly materi- Average
100%
als.

Figure 8: FY 2019 recycling rate by waste type

●University-Wide Office Paper Consumption
Changes in consumption of office （ｔ）
250
paper from FY 2016 to FY 2020 are
211.45shown in Figure 9.
195.16188.39Consumption decreased 32.3% 200 185.73(60.93 t) from the previous fiscal
year. We believe that holding class- 150
127.46es and meetings online as part of the100
COVID-19 response was a major
reason for the decrease.
0
We will continue to work to reduce
FY 2016
FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
our paper usage by making conFigure 9: University-wide paper usage
ferences and lectures paperless,introducing double-sided printing, printing multiple pages per sheet, and reusing thereverse side of paper that has already been printed on once.

●Expanding E-Learning About Waste Management
According to the Waste Management and Public Cleansing Act (the Waste Management Law), businesses have a responsibility to appropriately dispose of waste
created during business activities. Universities tend to produce a variety of waste
related to research and education, although the quantities are small. However, theWaste Management Law is complicated and difficult to understand. In 2019, withthe goal of promoting a shift to electronic manifests, we held an electronic manifest
meeting that focused on how to digitize the waste management slips, which are
given to waste disposal companies, as well as highlighting important points in the
Amended Waste Management Law.
In FY 2020, it was difficult to hold explanatory meetings in person due to COVID-19
prevention measures. Due to these restrictions, and with the goal of getting more
related personnel interested, we made the electronic
manifest information accessible to all university staff
members as an E-learning course on the university website Using the presentation materials from the FY 2019
explanatory meeting as a starting point, we revised thecourse so that it gave a comprehensive understanding
廃棄物管理に関する E ラーニング
of waste management. As part of the shift to E-learning,

Current Status of Environmentally Friendly Contracts
In accordance with the Act on Promotion of Contracts of the State and Other Entities, Which Show Consideration for Reduction of Emissions of Greenhouse Gases,
etc. (hereafter referred to as the “Environmentally Friendly Contract Law”), we muststrive to promote contracts that take into account the reduction of greenhousegases and other pollutants. This covers contracts relating to the following 7 areas:electricity supply, purchase or rental of vehicles, procurement of ships, energy-saving renovations (ESCO projects), building design, industrial waste processing, andbuilding maintenance management.
At Kobe University, we signed a contract in FY2018 for the fundamental design of a
replacement ship for deployment in coastal waters after requesting environmentallyfriendly designs and proposals. The main engines, generators, and motors of theships are currently under construction. We are working to cut emissions of greenhouse gases and other pollutants by procuring replacement ships that use engines
designed according to the principles above.
The eight environmentally friendly contracts for high-voltage and special high-voltage electricity supply in the Rokkodai, Kusunoki, and Fukae areas, etc. are twoyear contracts that cover FY 2020 and FY 2021, and they are being implemented
as shown in Table 13.

Table 13: Electricity supply in each area
7,030kW

Planned Amount ofPower to be Used
24,434,000kWh/year

Kyuden Mirai Energy Corp.

672kW

1,602,000kWh/year

Hope Inc.

873kW

2,196,000kWh/year

Hope Inc.

331kW

1,075,000kWh/year

Hope Inc.

3,568,000kWh/year

Hope Inc.

847,000kWh/year

Hope Inc.

Amount of Power Contracted
Rokkodai Area
Tsurukabuto 2nd Campus (Graduate
School of Human Development andEnvironment)
Fukae Area (Graduate School of
Maritime Sciences)
Myodani Area (Graduate School of
Health Sciences)
Port Island Area

Other 4 Areas

Kusunoki Area
International Clinical Cancer
Research Center

Successful Bidder

Integrated Research Center 267 kW
Integrated Research Center Annex 409
kW
Incubation Center 149 kW
Secondary School attached to Kobe
University 208 kW
Elementary School attached to Kobe
University 173 kW
School for Special Needs Education
attached to Kobe University 102 kW
Food Resources and Education
Research Center 93 kW
7,040kW

36,720,000kWh/year

Kyuden Mirai Energy Corp.

477kW

1,942,700kWh/year

Hope Inc.

Environmental Education, Research and Topics
Research

PDF p.13

Research into Past, Present, and Future Climate Change
Kaoru Kubota, Assistant Professor, Graduate School of Human Development and Environment
I am currently involved in research based on chemical analyses of planktonic
foraminifera fossils collected from ocean sediments off the coast of Africa.
Past atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide are preserved in the boron isotopes in the shells of foraminifera (see figure below).
Paleoclimatology, the field of researching past climate changes, also provides a large amount of information that is useful for predicting future global
warming. At the Department of Environment and Sustainability in the Facultyof Global Human Sciences, we promote paleoclimatology and enlighten
students about the dangers of future anthropogenic climate change throughcoursework and practical training.

Conservation Activities

PDF p.16

Energy Saving by Reducing Ventilation:~Example of a Book Storage of the University Library~
Satoru Takada, Professor, Graduate School of Engineering

Electron microscope image of planktonic foraminifera and conceptual diagram of thereconstruction of carbon dioxide using sediment from the ocean floor

The following is an example of aninvestigation into book storage conducted with the cooperation of theKobe University Library. The measured results showed that there aremany times when the outdoor humidity is higher than the humidity inside
the book storage room. After closing
Figure 1: Comparison of humidity
the ventilation ducts, the humidity level in the storage room and outdoor
is stabilized at a low value. In addition,
humidity (measured data)a simulation using an analytical model
showed that by reducing the ventilation rate, an environment thatprevents mold from growing on thebooks can be achieved, and at thesame time, the dehumidifier's energy
consumption is reduced, resulting in
Figure 2: Comparison of humidity before
energy savings.
and after the sealing of ventilation ducts

Research

Other

Marine sedimentcore from theocean floor

Present

Planktonic
foraminifera

Before sealing
ventilation ducts

Preserved in
sediment, recording
CO2 levels as δ11B inshellsLate Miocene(ca. 7 million
years ago)

PDF p.14

Economic Analysis of Climate Change
Hiroaki Sakamoto, Associate Professor, Graduate School of Economics
In my research, I am interested in seeing how we can resolve environmental
issues, not by appealing to people’s consciences, but by effectively designingsocial or economic rules. Part of my research is on establishing an underlying
theoretical framework by, for example, using a mathematical model to evaluate
the theoretical performance of carbon pricing, or combining economic and climate models to calculate a formula for the reasonable price of carbon dioxide(see figure below).
Temperature

Atmosphere

Carboncycle

Consumption /public welfare

Ocean surface

Terrestrial
biosphere

Production

Capital/technology

Middle/deep sea

Fossil fuels

EnergyLabor

Research

Economic
activity

After sealing
ventilation ducts

PDF p.17

Cooperating with Projects by the Ministry of the Environment to Promote the Spread of ESG Regional FinanceNobuyoshi Yamori, Professor, Research Institute for Economics and Business Administration
As a committee member of the Association for Exchanging Opinions Aboutthe ESG Regional Finance Promotion Program, which was established by the
Ministry of the Environment, I advise regional financial institutions that apply
to subsidy programs provided by the Ministry of the Environment. In this role,
I also contributed towards putting together thePractical Guide to ESG Regional Finance to provide guidance to regional financial institutions.
In addition, I help to evaluate and select award
cases for the Ministry of the Environment’s
ESG Finance Award Japan (Minister of the Environment Award) as a member of the judging
committee, working to foster awareness of ESG
in the financial sector.
I am proceeding with my research goal of using
finance to revitalize and promote regional economies. I would like to continue my involvementin the Ministry of the Environment’s projects inorder to contribute towards the dissemination of
ESG regional finance.
Online awards ceremony

PDF p.15

Toward Carbon-Neutral Heat Engines
Tomohisa Dan, Professor, Graduate School of Maritime Sciences
Climate change is related to the increase in the concentration of new CO2
added to the atmosphere. To realize a carbon-free society, the production anduse of plant-based biomass fuels is essential. In this report, with the goal ofusing bio-ethanol in gasoline engines, I analyzed
the correlation between
engine performance andexhaust gas composition.

Preparing this Report
The Environmental Report summarizes the results of environment-related activities at this university between April 2020 and March 2021, and is publishedas the Kobe University Environmental Report 2021.
The Environmental Report is predominately aimed at our students and faculty,
with the objective of promoting communication about the environment bothin and outside Kobe University. We introduce education, research, and projects carried out at the university, in addition to highlighting efforts to promote
environmental management etc., as a way of measuring our environmental
performance.

Guidelines used as references“Environmental Report Guidelines, 2018 Edition”(Published in June 2018 by the Ministry of the Environment)

Figure 1: The relationship between equivalence
ratio and laminar flow combustion speed whenburning alcohol fuel“Manual for Writing Environmental Reports: For the Environmental Report
Guidelines, 2018 Edition”(Published in March 2019 by the Ministry of the Environment)*For more information, see the full Japanese language Environmental Report 2021 on the Kobe University website. (Page numbers at the top indicate the page number in the PDF version.)

Environmental Education, Research and Topics
Topics

PDF p.7

Food Loss Diaries and ESD Exercises
Risa Kojima, Associate Professor, Graduate School of Economics (Director of NPO Gomi-Japan)
Food Loss Diaries have the advantages of being adaptable to household
differences and presenting highly generalizable solutions for reducing foodloss. I believe that establishing methods for dealing with food loss, which
can be used by anyone and in a diverse range of households, will contributetowards preventing household food loss and waste in Japan.
In our ESD (Education for Sustainable Development) exercises, we analyzed
scattered garbage using river surveillance cameras in Kobe City, because of
the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions. As a result, we were only able to obtain
limited information, which helped us learn how important field research is.
Anyone can use the Food Loss Diary App for free without having to enter theirpersonal information. Please check the link below. An overview of the resultsof this study and information about
Gomi-Japan’s other research andprojects are also available on theGomi-Japan website below.
Food Loss Diary
https://gomi-jp-foodloss.com/
NPO Gomi-Japan Website
https://gomi-jp.jimdofree.com/

Education

Exhibition of Books About the Ocean Environment
in Library for Maritime Sciences
Noriko Yamamoto, Administrative Staﬀ, Library for Maritime Sciences
With the goal of getting people to think about theocean environment using books, we chose related
themes for the special exhibition. The series of
special exhibitions are linked to the “Kaijin Project”(activities to promote Kobe University’s nauticalbranding) and based on various themes that are
deeply connected to the sea, such as earth science,
international law, and logistics. We will continue toimprove students’, facultys' and visitors’ familiarity
with marine environments, through special exhibitions andother activities.

The exhibition

Food Loss Diary App

Topics

PDF p.8

Environmental Education Using Environmental Reports
To make the Environmental Reports
made at this university better known
within the university, and to gather
opinions and feedback from students
to guide the creation of future Environmental Reports and environmental
conservation activities, we have been
holding these events since FY 2011.

Education

Exhibition poster
Treaties and Laws
for Using The Sea
and Protecting theSea

PDF p.11

Developing Practical Coursework with the Aimof Building a Carbon-Free Society
Takeshi Shimamura, Professor, Graduate School of Law

Introductory Environmental Studies
Global environmental issues represent one of the largest global challenges ofthis century. Most environmental issues are the result of individuals’ ordinarysocial and economic activities, and toresolve them, it is essential that eachindividual gain a deeper understandingof environmental issues. At the Center
for Environmental Management, wehold lectures in Introductory Environmental Studies A/B as university-widecommon subjects.

Topics

PDF p.10

PDF p.9

The Activities of Kobe University
Students’ Environment Club ‘Ecofuru’Kobe University Environment Club ‘Ecofuru’Following initiatives to charge money for plastic shopping bags, the movement
to abolish plastic straws has also been growing recently. We created a fun
E-learning tool that focuses on the problem of ocean plastics pollution, wherewaste plastic flows into the ocean. The content uses data including numericalfigures to inform users about the current situation regarding ocean plastics
pollution, and presents ways to reduce plastic use that everyone, including
students, can put into
practice.

Kobe University Environment Club ‘Ecofuru’Twitter:https://twitter.com/iRg FHqkxYMi8X5N

Technological innovations in renewable energy and energy saving are undoubtedly
necessary for the realization of a carbon-free society, however the reconstructionof social systems is also essential. At Kobe University’s Graduate School of Law/ Faculty of Law and Graduate School of Economics / Faculty of Economics, wehave developed programs to enable students to acquire a background in both law
and economics. This fiscal year, together with researchers from the Institute for
Global Environmental Strategy (IGES), we visited sites where efforts were being
made to become carbon-free, and organized exercises which involved bilateral discussions with people from companies and NPOs striving towards decarbonization.

Proposal for the establishment ofan environmental council

Education

Solar Installation in Inami-cho/
Rokkenya Pond Reservoir

PDF p.12

Cultivating Human Resources to Manage Wildlife Conservation Through a Practical Session
on Dealing with Nuisance Wildlife
Mieko Kiyono, Associate Professor, Graduate School of Human
Development and Environment
Working together with the NPO Research Institute for Sustainable Advancement of Traditional Outlying and Mountainous Neighborhoods, we held training
sessions for the local residents, mainly in Tamba-Sasayama City, Hyogo
Prefecture. One of those training sessions was a practical for high school
students on how to deal with nuisance wildlife. In this practical, which began in
FY 2018, a mixture of Kobe University students and high school students
from Tamba-Sasayama City gather each year to create new approaches
for dealing withnuisance wildlife.
Please take this opportunity to come learn aboutwild animals together withlocal high school students
Students learning
Idea exchange andand think about new
how to obtain location
planning throughways of coexisting.
information about
workshops
Japanese macaques*For more information, see the full Japanese language Environmental Report 2021 on the Kobe University website. (Page numbers at the top indicate the page number in the PDF version.)

Outside Opinion“The Act on the Promotion of Business Activities with Environmental Consideration by Specified Corporations, etc., by Facilitating Access to Environmental
Information, and Other Measures (Environmental Consideration Promotion Law)”,
which went into effect in 2005, requires businesses stipulated by Cabinet Order
to issue environmental reports as an important means of communication withstakeholders, to promote businesses’ voluntary and proactive consideration ofenvironmental matters. This Environmental Report follows the “Environmental Report Guidelines, 2018 Edition” and the “Manual for Writing Environmental Reports:
For the Environmental Report Guidelines, 2018 Edition,” and may be judged to bean appropriate environmental report.
It adheres to the three basic policies mentioned in the Message from the President
at the beginning and in the Environmental Charter – “Cultivate and Support Environmentally Aware Individuals,” “Promote Research to Maintain and Support the
Global Environment,” and “Take a Leading Role in Environmental Conservation”– and it may inferred from this that a comprehensive approach combining thehumanities, social sciences, and natural sciences is being taken in education andresearch activities as well as in environmental management.
In the Environmental Education, Research and Topics presented in the second
half of the report, a diverse range of efforts as well as educational and research
activities related to urgent and important challenges for the human race suchas climate change, carbon neutrality, biological diversity, and ocean plastic are
introduced, highlighting the comprehensive power of Kobe University. The collaborative efforts with the Ministry of the Environment on a project to popularize ESG
regional finance, with its goal of establishing sustainable regional societies, can behighly evaluated for their progressiveness. The creation of E-learning content bymembers of the student environment club ‘Ecofuru’ is also an excellent effort that
fosters a high level of environmental awareness among students and can serveas an example to other universities.
As for environmental management, it is my understanding that simple and effective organizational systems are in place for environmental conservation, and asystem has been established to ensure that the PDCA cycle continues without
fail through the regular implementation of groups to investigate the environmental
aspects and their improvement. However, I was bothered by the fact that there
is no concrete connection between the organizational systems for environmental
conservation and environmental management. Since it may be understood that
there are already sufficient systems in place that act as an environmental management system (EMS), how about restructuring them into an EMS that matches
the Message from the President, Charter, and so on? I felt that it was a shame
that, even though there is already an EMS, environmental management is listed
as an independent item. The descriptions of energy consumption and generalwaste management were very easy to understand. However, in FY 2020, thegovernment declared states of emergency relating to the still-ongoing COVID-19
pandemic, and education and research activities were partially restricted due tothese and other measures, resulting in a significant decrease in consumption ofenergy and other resources. Next year and beyond, there must be discussions todetermine whether or not the activities conducted during the atypical circumstances of the last fiscal year can be directly compared with ordinary fiscal years.
Conversely, I felt that there was insufficient information to gain a concrete understanding of the risk management situation, such as the management of waste
fluids from experiments and chemical substances. The chemical substances usedat your university, which cover the science, engineering, and medical departments,
are restricted by numerous laws and ordinances. The role of this Environmental
Report would be better fulfilled if there were clear descriptions of how these laws
and ordinances are observed.
While I pointed out some parts in the second half that could be improved in future,overall, this is a solid environmental report that is extremely rich in content. Morethan anything, I was impressed by how astute environmental awareness is being
fostered among faculty and students through finely
tuned systems.

Name: Yasuro Fuse
Current position: Associate Professor,
Molecular Chemistry and Engineering /Center for Environmental Science, Kyoto
Institute of Technology
ProﬁleMar.1998: MS (Engineering), Kyoto Institute of Technology
Apr. 1998: Educational staff, Center of Environmental Science, Kyoto Institute of Technology
Mar.2009: Ph.D. (Engineering), Kyoto Institute of Technology
Apr. 2013: Assistant Professor, Center of Environmental Science, Kyoto Institute of Technology
Feb. 2020: Associate Professor, Center of Environmental Science, Kyoto Institute of Technology
Apr. 2020: Vice President, Center of Environmental Science, Kyoto Institute of Technology■ Awards: Technology Prize, Environmental Safety Council of Universities, etc., Nov. 2010
■ Research Fields: Environmental dynamics analysis, environmental impact evaluation,
environmental materials / recycling, organic chemistry■ Affiliations: The Chemical Society of Japan, The Japan Society for Analytical Chemistry, Environmental Safety Council of Universities and Colleges, The
Japanese Society of Limnology, Japanese Humic Substances Society,Japan Society for Atmospheric Environment, Japan Society on Water
Environment

The Words “Environmental Conservation” Are a Promise to the Future
Hiromasa Imaishi, Director, Center for Environmental Management
The world is facing tumultuous times. Firstly, the way it rains has changed compared to the past. It differs in that a month’s worth of rainfall rains all at once, whichis quite unendurable and causes rivers to flood rapidly. There are many theories as to what triggers global warming, and it’s difficult to pinpoint specific causes.
No matter what the data shows, there is an undoubtable sense of regret that “we went a little overboard” among the people who have lived through this warming
process. We have also thrown away things in order to maintain mass production. Durable consumer goods that lost their place turned to ash in furnaces, and thesmoke polluted the atmosphere to the point of creating visible smog. Under these circumstances, I think it’s great that ideas about trying to create a sustainable
society are becoming more frequently discussed as buzzwords. Resolving these environmental problems cannot wait. First, let’s turn off our faucets properly. Let’s
wash and reuse containers, even disposable ones. Let’s try to use public transportation such as trains instead of cars as much as possible. We can make thesesmall efforts, all the while believing that they will accumulate into a “promise to the future.”

About the CoverIn order to further publicize this Environmental Report to our students (who comprise the majority of the university population), we created the cover by requesting
photos and illustrations from undergraduate and graduate students at the university, as well as from students at our affiliated schools. The cover photo was selectedby the Environmental Planning and Assessment Committee, with the photo below receiving the grand prize.
From the many works submitted, we also selected two photos for Excellence Awards as shown below. We would like to take this opportunity to express our thanks
to all those who submitted photos and illustrations.

Grand Prize (Cover photo/illustration)

Excellence Awards (Cover photo/illustration)

Photo by Kazuki Koizumi, 4th year,
Department of Physics, Faculty of
Science, Kobe University
Shooting location: In front of the
Research Infrastructure Center
Photographer’s comment“Together”: I composed it so thatthe growth of the trees symbolizes
how research has advanced.

Photo by Kazuki Koizumi, 4th year,
Department of Physics, Faculty of
Science, Kobe University
Shooting location: Path next
to the Information Science andTechnology Center connecting
the Faculty of Science to the
Faculty of Engineering■Date of issue: September, 2021
■Created by the Center for Environmental Management■Inquiries:Kobe University Facilities Department, Equipment Division,
Environmental Management Group
1-1 Rokkodai-cho, Nada-ku, Kobe-shi, Hyogo 657-8501
E-mail: shis-kankyo@office.kobe-u.ac.jp
URL: https://www.kobe-u.ac.jp/en/about_us/charter/environment.html

Photo by Kiryu Ito, 2nd year Master’s program
student, Graduate School of Science, Technology, and Innovation, Kobe
University
Shooting location: Rokkodai 1st Campus(next to the Rokkodai
Main Building)