# (3) Activities to achieve the goals of the Kyoto Protocol

According to the Kyoto Protocol, Japan’s target for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions during the first commitment period is 6% from the base year. The MLIT is also taking action to achieve this target.

## Outline of MLIT's Countermeasures to Ease Global Warming

## $ ^{*} $ Use of Public Transport

- Vitalize regional public transportation systems.

- Establish a flexible system to comprehensively support taking advantage of the laws that concern the activation and regeneration of the local public transportation system and were made by various regional committees to ensure independent local daily activities.

## * Efficient Logistics

- Support (subsidiary budget, etc.) the implantation of efficient logistics, taking advantage of the clean partnership logistics meetings.

- Support to establish committees to exchange information between a variety of attendees from various areas for efficient city logistics.

## * Smooth Traffic Flow

- Activities to smooth traffic flows, such as the promotion of ITS, reduction of road construction, implementation of various and flexible highway systems, measures to prevent bottle-necks at railroad crossings, etc.

## * Low Fuel Consumption of Automobiles and Ships

- Greening of automobile tax, special measures on the automobile acquisition tax for low fuel consumption and low emission vehicles, and also for diesel trucks and buses.

- Promote the reduction of $ CO_{2} $ emissions from marine transportation by developing and disseminating the $ CO_{2} $ emissions standard for boats and ships (10 modes for oceans).

## * Improvement of Energy Saving Functions in Houses and Buildings

Enhance the bond measurement for large scale houses and buildings.

- Subject the buildings of small and medium-size businesses to compulsory compliance.

- Promote improving energy saving functions for individual houses through housing companies.

- Promote the construction of houses and buildings with high energy saving functions.

- Promote the displaying of easy-to-understand energy saving functions.

- Establish special incentive measures to promote energy saving improvements for existing houses.

## * Building Cities with Less CO₂

- Realization of compact cities where various city functions and public transportation are concentrated in order to reduce environmental load in cities and regional areas; greening of cities; efficient use of resource energy from sewage systems, etc.

## ○ Medium to long-term goals to counter global warming with international framework after 2013

The “21st Century Environmental Nation Strategy” employs a long-term target to reduce worldwide greenhouse gas emissions to half of the current amount by 2050. To realize this target, it also employs long-term visions of “development of innovative technology” and “creating a low carbon dioxide society.” The MLIT is to take the following actions to objectify these visions.

## (The development of innovative technology)

1) Electric and fuel-cell powered cars that do not emit $ CO_{2} $ . 2) Using biofuel technology for automobiles, boats and ships, and airplanes. 3) $ CO_{2} $ emissions standard for boats and ships (10 modes for oceans). 4) Idling stop technology that uses utility power for trucks, boats and ships, airplanes when they're stopped. 5) Development and promotion of houses that have a comfortable inside environment and high energy functions.

## (Framework for low carbon dioxide society)

Making a low carbon dioxide society means to lead a fruitful life and to achieve the reduction of $ CO_{2} $ emissions at the same time. In order to change our nation to a low carbon society, it is necessary to fundamentally change our lifestyles and how cities and transportation. With this point of view, MLIT is to take actions from 2 aspects: regional development and transportation system structure.