Yokohama National University Environmental Report 2007

Digest Version

Yokohama National University
国立大学法人横浜国立大学

University’s Charter
Yokohama National University’s Charter
Yokohama National University declares that it will make every effort to uphold as
the spirit that has been cultivated amidst its history since the university’s foundingand should build a strong footing in academic research and education in the world of
the 21st Century by attaching importance to the concerns of the realities of society(Responding to the Need of Society), actively promote new endeavors (Challengingand Daring), widely open its door to the whole of society (Open and Outgoing), andpromote exchange with nations overseas (International).
YNU has decided on the following matters as its long-term goals in order to realize
this idea.

Responding to the Need of Society
This goal is to cultivate creative problem solving abilities with flexibility that
acquires a response to the changing of the times by assessing the true
nature of various problems. YNU will contribute to society’s welfare anddevelopment based on the results of education and research by focusing on
scholarship that lays down the basis in actual society.

Challenging & Daring
YNU will play a leading role in the intellectual improvement of mankind bycreating cutting-edge research through collaborating with domestic andinternational researchers. The university will work towards providing effective
management, and develop a flexible organization that supports free thought
and new approaches in contributing to education, research, and society.

Open & Outgoing
YNU puts in to practice education and research that makes a contribution tosolving issues held by civil society, the regions, the business community, thenation, and various countries. YNU aims to support students and faculty
members to participate in society, and for a university that is open to society
in all aspects of education, research, and management.

International
Along with fostering human resources that understand different cultures andhave the communication ability to be active on the word stage, YNU ispromoting the acceptance and sending of international students andresearchers and planning to expand exchange with various countries
through education and research.
Yokohama National University, which makes it a principle to do the above, willdevelop a highly transparent organization and operating system, and university
reform with even more character in the cycle of planning, practice and evaluation.
On top of this, while being in an urban space, all the students and faculty members
assembled at YNU have a campus distinctly flowing with greenery maintain thisblessed environment, and aspire to practice a physically and mentally healthy
university lifestyle.

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Message from the President

When we consider human history, the magnitude of the role played by the advance of
science and technology is universally acknowledged. Since the beginning of recorded
history, progress has always been accompanied by new technology, and, particularly in themodern age, science and technology have leapt forward, making an enormous contribution
to the welfare of humanity.
On the other hand, the impact of human activity on the global environment is becoming
grave. Even in Japan, all efforts are now being made to act on the importance ofcomprehensive measures for the global environment, water, atmosphere, and the naturalenvironment.
Efforts are under way towards goals such as preventing global warming, forming a
recycling society, coexisting with nature and building a sustainable society, but there is nosingle, decisive solution. It depends on every individual person’s growing awareness andwill to act. This university, which we are proud to remember has played an important role in
the progress of science and technology, and particularly on environmental issues, must be
ready to assist in a great advance in human welfare through activities such as thedevelopment of environmental conservation technologies and the building of environments
which can coexist with nature.
In 1999, we adopted our Eco Campus Construction Policy and Action Plan, promoting theconstruction of an Eco Campus as a way of working towards a society in which humansand nature are in harmony.
At this Tokiwadai Campus, we are following the concept espoused by emeritus professor
Akira Miyawaki, “Native forests by native trees,” by planting chinquapins, oaks and otherevergreen broad-leaved trees to make a rich, verdant natural environment. By now, 30
million trees have been planted with this approach around the world, making a huge
contribution to the natural environment of the earth, and that campaign originated on thecampus of this university.
That is one example of our long-running, multi-faceted efforts for environment-related
education and research, but we will go further by publicizing this report to raise awarenessamong teaching staff, listening sincerely to the opinions and observations of all the people
involved, and disseminating our environmental concepts around the world as we workceaselessly towards the realization of a sustainable society.

September,2007

President , Yokohama National University

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The Greenery of Tokiwadai Campus● The Purpose of This University’s Eco Campus
Yokohama National University strongly promotes the construction of an Eco Campus as away of creating a new environment-oriented education and research space for the university.
The Eco Campus will address environmentally-aware education and research, the building offacilities and equipment that coexist with their environment, and environment-friendly
management and operation techniques, and will harmonize broadly with society and the localenvironment.
Tokiwadai Campus Map● Native Forests by Native Trees
Region-specific tree planting, potential natural vegetation, identifying potential naturalvegetation in the groves of village shrines, and densely plant mixed groups of such seedlingsof potential natural vegetation to encourage competition, tolerance, and coexistence between
the trees…these are the concepts of YNU emeritus professor Akira Miyawaki, who adopted
the principles of plant ecology, and also one of the research results we are sending out into
the world.
When we completed our move to Tokiwadai Campus on this hill in 1979, we followed theprofessor’s directions, and the teaching staff and students donated their money and effort toplant over two thousand trees. Those trees recreated a natural forest, combined with others
that already stood on the site. The result is today’s forest, which gives us tranquility andsafety.
The approach from the main gate to the central promenade (near the staircase)In around 1980

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PresentTopics (Environment-related awards)● Emeritus Professor Akira Miyawaki Won the 15th Blue Planet Prize
Professor Akira Miyawaki, Emeritus Professor of this university anddirector of the Japanese Center for International Studies in Ecology,
won the 2006 Blue Planet Prize (the 15th). He was awarded the prize
for his record of achievement in “proposing and implementing
principles for the restoration and regeneration of forest on the basisof the ‘potential natural vegetation’ concept, by which he succeededin regenerating environmental protection and disaster prevention
forests and tropical rain forests, and contributing to the establishmentof a method for restoring the greenery of the planet".
What is the Blue Planet Prize?
The Blue Planet Prize is an international prize for theglobal environment, awarded by the Asahi GlassFoundation to two recipients a year, either individuals ororganizations, who have made outstanding contributions toscience and technology for solutions to global environmentalproblems. It is now in its fifteenth year. Professor Miyawaki
is the first Japanese person to be awarded the prize.

Emeritus Professor
Akira Miyawaki● Winner of the Ninth Kanagawa Image Up Award
This university received the award as “Yokohama National University,working to become a university open to the community.”
Starting from a commerce/academia exchange program in our local
Hodogaya ward of Yokohama, we have developed a diverse range ofactivities involving the entire university in cooperation with local
authorities, companies, shopping street associations and others in thecommunity. These activities, which included the establishment of acommunity exchange course for practical, participatory education ofstudents into personnel able to go out into the local community andtackle local problems, are intended to open the university to thecommunity. Our successful work earned this award in recognition of its
effects in enhancing the image of Kanagawa prefecture and influencing
the direction of educational reform nationwide.

● Awarded the “15th Yokohama Municipal Prize for Environmental Activities”
in Two Departments (June 2007)■ YNU won an award in the Company
category.
The award recognized our practical,
environment-related educational and research
activities, and our many tree-planting projects
within the city of Yokohama.

“The Wadamachi Ikiiki Project”- Watering■ The Blue Earth Summit by our affiliatedYokohama Junior High School won theaward in the Children, Pupils, and Studentscategory.
The Summit was established at our affiliatedYokohama Junior High School in 1992, as acommittee for considering global
environmental issues. Its main activity consistsof practical environmental action that ordinary
people can achieve, on the theme of “MakeJapan a Sustainable Society.” It received theaward for its development of project-basedlearning in a format that presents ideas tosociety at large.

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Environment-related Education and Research● Selected for the Global COE
YNU’s “Global Eco-Risk Management from Asian Viewpoints” program was selectedby the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology’s Global COE in 2007.
The Graduate School of Environment and Information Sciences is in the centrer of theprogram, which is characterized by taking an “Asian Perspective” to harmonizing legal
regulation with self-regulation. Its aim is to assist the appropriate management of ecologicalrisks in Asia, where population increase and economic progress are accompanied by severe
ecological degradation.

● A Symposium on the Theme of “Sea and Port Week”
Situated in Yokohama, a city which developed together with its port, YNU has achieved
great results in education and research about the sea and ports. From this perspective of “seaand port,” YNU grouped events such as symposia and international seminars into “Sea andPort Week,” which attracted many participants from universities in coastal cities around theworld.
The Symposium “The Environment and the Use of Tokyo Bay” included speeches on issues
such as the following:[1] The continuous process leading from red tides to blue tides in Tokyo Bay.
[2] The impact of shellfish gathering at marine parks on changes in the number and distributionof short-necked clams.
[3] The division of roles and efficient coordination and collaboration between related agencies
and organizations bay areas adjoining large cities.The event ended with an address from
Executive Director Kisugi entitled “Nurturing Marine Culture from Yokohama” on the aims ofthe executive committee.

Group photograph of participating
university speakers.

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Action on Environmental Loads and Environmental Consideration● YNU’s Action on Global Warming Countermeasures
YNU’s Global Warming Countermeasure Plan, adopted in 2005, is the basis for ourpromotion of measures to prevent global warming.
Policies on the Promotion of Measures to Prevent Global Warming○ Through our independent works in all fields, we take the initiative in reducing
greenhouse gas emissions. Our efforts cut emissions, promote measures against
global warming, and contribute to the realization of a vital and sustainable society.
○ We have developed a university-wide organization to promote, verify, and assess
this plan, and we will implement measures against global warming in a long-term,
sustained manner.

Woods leading to the central plaza,
on the west side of the Faculty of Economics.

● Summary of Energy Consumption and External Emission Quantities
OUTPUT

INPUT

17,705,940

Kwh

441,490 Nm3
Kerosene
527,740

L

4,000

L

114,030m3

GasolineWater

at each campus

City Gas

Educational, research and other activities

Electricity

Carbon-dioxide emissions
8,930 t-CO2
Displacement
138,300 m3
Inorganic waste fluid
8,040 LOrganic waste fluid
23,560 L
General waste
187 t
Industrial waste
272 t

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Action on Environmental Loads and Environmental Consideration● Tokiwadai Campus CO2 emission quantity★ We have achieved an 8.4% reduction relative to the reference year!
(The reduction target value was 1% relative to the reference year)

Year

Carbon-dioxide emissions（ｔ-CO2/year）

2004

9,348

2005

9,432

2006

8,572

The reference year

8.4％ Reduction● Energy-saving Measures★ A 5.0% energy saving on the preceding year in electricity
and gas consumption!
Under the Campus Committee◆ The energy saving target is set at a 4% reduction.
◆ Energy Saving Committees have been set up in seven blocks within theuniversity.
◆ Energy usage is monitored on a quarterly basis, with self-testing andassessment of energy saving.
◆ University-wide educational and informative activities for energy saving.

● Beautification Day for the Education and Research Environment(University-wide Cleanup)★ Participants numbered 3,006 - up 360 from the preceding year!
Beautification day for the education and research environment (university-widecleanup) has taken place every spring and fall since 1996 to promote beautification ofthe campus, making 2006 the eleventh year.
Since fall 2005, we have expanded the range of cleaning beyond the campus, toinclude litter collection in nearby streets as a contribution to the local community.

Cleaning in progress
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Environmental Efforts in Affiliated Schools● Photoelectric generation
We encourage the use and study of Earth-friendly energy at our affiliated elementaryand junior high schools.

Solar Panel
Yokohama Junior High School ,School for children with special educational needs● Efforts at our affiliated Kamakura Junior High School
Our affiliated Kamakura Junior High School practices beachcombing along theadjacent shore. We invite lecturers from diverse fields to provide expert guidance for thesorting of washed-up debris and the study of the impact such debris has on organisms.

Beachcombing

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Environmental Communication with the Community● Exchanges with the Community■ The Science Cafe
The purpose of the Science Café is to talk directly withsociety about the fruits of the latest scientific research at
the university, to establish two-way channels ofcommunication, and to help people to gain a broader andmore personal knowledge of research activities that canbe seen as hard to understand. The idea of the ScienceCafé began in Britain.
The Science Cafe

■ An encounter meeting between exchange studentsand Wadamachi■ Stretch and Walk event at the Health Classroom■ “Gayakko Class” event co-hosted with Hodogayaward■ Industry – Academia Exchange Salon hosted■ Joint disaster- and fire-prevention training withlocal residents
An experiment at the “Gayakko Classroom"

Other Activities● Other Activities in the University■ Mottainai (Waste Not) Day begins
We have designated the 15th of each month as“Yokohama National University Environmental Clean Day(Mottainai Day)” as part of our drive to improve theworking environment while cutting costs. March 15, 2007
was the first such day throughout the university.
Installation by secretariat staff.

■ Duplicate AED (Automatic External Defibrillator)
systems installed

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation training session● Activities in the Dining Halls and Elsewhere■ Use of Recyclable Containers for Boxed Lunches

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From the Executive Director
On the Drafting of the Eco Campus White Paper (Environmental Report) 2007
Under the Environmental Consideration Law, enacted by the Ministry of the Environment in2005, Yokohama National University is mandated to publish an Environmental Report every
fiscal year.
As an element of YNU’s action plan, based on our Eco Campus Construction Policy, wepublished Eco Campus White Papers four times, between 2001 and 2005, reporting on theenvironment at Yokohama National University. In 2006 we followed the Ministry of theEnvironment guidelines to publish our environment report, centered on the YNU TokiwadaiCampus, as the “Yokohama National University Eco Campus White Paper (EnvironmentalReport) 2006.”
The content of this “Yokohama National University Eco Campus White Paper 2007”
environmental report was drawn up by a working group of teaching staff and graduate
students from the university, which considered writing guidelines, items, and content. Itcomprises 11 chapters. The 2006 edition was given a characteristic focus on energy saving,
but the 2007 edition features the history of environmental improvement as the Tokiwadai
Campus (chapter three) and changes and improvements to the green environment, now that
more than 25 years have passed since the campus relocation and integration. Chapter fourfeatures the three environment-related prizes the university and its people have won since thesecond half of 2006. There are additional features on environment-related education andresearch at YNU (chapter five) and environmental communication with the community(chapter eight). Our specific efforts and their results are detailed in chapter six (Action on
Environmental Loads and Environmental Consideration), chapter seven (EnvironmentalEfforts in Affiliated Schools), and chapter nine (Environmental Efforts in Dining Halls andElsewhere).
The report is based on the Ministry of the Environment “Environmental Report Guidelines”,
but the character and emphasis of the 2007 edition are in line with this university’s aspiration
to be a leading center for spreading environmental ideas.

September,2007
Yokohama National University
Executive DirectorKunio Suzuki

A view of the Minato Mirai 21 district from the eighth floor of the Environment and Information Sciences Ⅰ.

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Yokohama National University Environmental Report 2007

Digest Version

This 2007 edition of the Eco Campus White Paper (Environmental Report) is available from the university
website, and from the websites of the following facilities department.

Inquiries and authors
Yokohama National University Planning Division , Facilities Department79-1 Tokiwadai , Hodogaya-ku , Yokohama 240-8501 JAPAN
Tel：+81-45-339-3085 Fax：+81-45-339-3099
e-mail：shi-kikaku.kikaku@nuc.ynu.ac.jp
Facilities Department Website URL：http://www.jmk.ynu.ac.jp/gakugai/shisetsu/index.html