and reality (Figure 2-2-14).

A correct understanding of the relationship between one’s actions and the energy consumed will link to reduction in residential energy consumption. To this end, governments have started making efforts to raise the awareness and activities of residents to reduce energy consumption and carbon dioxide emissions by presenting information on energy consumption and carbon dioxide emissions in a visual form. For example, the UK Government expects to see “Smart Meters” with a visual display of energy use rolled out to the domestic sector within the next decade. In Japan, equipment such as the “Energy-saving Navigator,” which visually indicates the current electricity consumption and cost, and gives out a warning signal when electricity usage exceeds the energy conservation target, is gaining popularity.

Figure 2-2-14 Divergence between Perception and Actual Consumption in Residential Energy Consumption in Japan

Source: Compiled by the Ministry of the Environment based on the following study: Takashi Inoue, Yusuke Morihara, and Ryoko Sakai, “Energy Consumption in Housing on the Basis of National Scale Questionnaire,” Digest of Speeches, Architectural Institute of Japan (2007); and the Institute of Energy Economics, Japan, 2008 EDMC Handbook of Energy & Economic Statistics in Japan

## (2) Taking Actions to Conserve Energy

After understanding the relationship between the way we lead our lives and the energy consumed, we must take action to shift from an energy-intensive lifestyle to one that places value on energy resources.

The “Team Minus 6%” national campaign to mitigate global warming, with the Japanese Prime Minister as the team leader, advocates six specific activities, together with Cool Biz and Warm Biz. In addition, the “Let’s Target 1 kg of $ CO_{2} $ Reduction per Person per Day” campaign accepts “My Declaration for Accepting the Challenge” from citizens. This measure aims at cutting carbon dioxide emissions by 1 kg per person per day in everyday life. A citizen can choose from a global warming mitigation menu of daily activities that he/she is willing to undertake. They include how one controls the heating and air-conditioning temperatures, chooses products, drives automobile, uses electricity, and so on. As of the end of April 2008, approximately 599,000 individuals have made the pledge to take up the challenge.

It is important to carry out the activities of the menu in one’s daily life. Besides consciously taking action, measures utilizing energy conservation technology, including the diffusion of energy efficient equipment and installation of energy saving facilities, can also have a tremendous impact on energy conservation. For example, compared to other countries, Japanese take more baths and consume considerable energy for hot water. It is recommended that family members shorten the interval in between their baths and that each individual shortens their showering time by one minute per day. It is also effective to utilize solar power as the energy to heat up water or to install high-performance water-heating equipment and facilities. By changing the conventional combustion-type water heater to the $ CO_{2} $ coolant heat pump-type water-heating appliance, the primary energy used can be cut by about 30% and carbon dioxide emissions can almost be halved.

There is also momentum in households, offices, and

Left and center: Smart Meter; right: Energy-saving Navigator

(Photo: Courtesy of More Associates and The Energy Conservation Center, Japan (ECCJ))