## (5) Implementation of $ CO_{2} $ sink measures through urban greening

Urban greenery is internationally recognized as green house gas sinks for “Re-vegetation Activities” based on the Kyoto Protocol. The Kyoto Protocol Target Achievement Plan also recognizes this activity as creating low carbon cities because of improvements to the thermal environment through mitigating urban heat island effects, as well as the heightening of public awareness to its significance and effects. Based on the “Master Plan for Greenery,” devised by municipalities concerning overall greenery, the improvements to city parks, the greening of roads, rivers, ports, sewage treatment facilities, housing, government facilities and private property are being actively undertaken.

## (6) Countermeasures towards global warming in urban district development

## ① Urban district development

Beginning with the extended utilization of energy, in order to promote pioneering urban environmental measures at regional and district levels for the realization of constructing low carbon cities, we are supporting the formulation of plans, coordination and model businesses.

## ② Urban development using environmentally friendly vehicles

In order to realize environmentally friendly urban transportation and promote the development of low carbon cities by utilizing environmentally friendly vehicles (especially electric buses, electric vehicles, and ultra lightweight vehicles), a guideline was created for the implementation of ultra lightweight vehicles and electric buses, and for the establishment of charging facilities in FY2012. Superb initiatives were put in effect to encourage the implementation of electric buses in other regions, and we established certification systems to allow ultra lightweight mobility to drive on public roadways. We developed the activities of local public bodies and businesses by supporting exceptional initiatives that take part in urban development.

## Section 2 Promoting the creation of a recycling society

## 1 Advancing recycling in construction

Construction waste accounts for approximately 20% of all industrial waste, 20% of final disposed amount, and 60% of all illegally discarded waste. Controlling the output of construction waste is a major task in the advancement of recycling. The total amount of construction waste produced in 2010 amounted to 73 million tons. Although the recycling rate for 2008 was 93.7%, better than the 92.2% of 2005, we must continue these activities in order to achieve high levels of recycling.

Raw sewage also accounts for 20% of all industrial waste, reaching approximately 72 million tons in 2010. We are developing recycling in order to reduce this amount.

Graphic II-8-2-1 Industrial waste produced by sector and recycle rate of construction byproducts

Source) Developed by the MLIT from: "Status on production and disposal of Industrial Waste" of the Ministry of the Environment

Subject materials	Index	Results from 2005	Results from 2008	Objectives for 2012
Asphalt, concrete clusters	Recycle rate (%)	98.6	98.4	98 or more
Concrete clusters	98.1	97.3	98 or more
Wood material derived from construction	68.2	80.3	77
Wood material derived from construction	Recycle and reduction* rate (%)	90.7	89.4	95 or more
Construction sewage	74.5	85.1	82
Construction mixed waste	Produced amount (ten thousand tons)	293	267 (9% decrease in comparison to 2005)	205 (30% decrease in comparison to 2005)
Total construction waste	Recycle and reduction* rate (%)	92.2	93.7	94
Construction generated soil	Efficient utilization rate (%)	80.1	78.6	87

$ ^{*} $ Reduction refers to reducing the amount of waste through incineration, dehydration, or other processes. Source) MLIT, "2008 Status Survey on Construction Byproducts