Introduction of the benchmarks to the government buildings―Set the target level to “0.700 or less” to be achievable by only top 15%.
The working group on the energy conservation standards for factory and buildings (the chairperson : Dr. Takaharu Kawase, Grand–fellow, Chiba University)” in the subcommittee of natural resources and energy (an advisory body of the METI (Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry) approved the introduction of the benchmark system based on the energy conservation Act to the government offices at the meeting on January 24th .
“Government agencies” include the parliament, courts, the central government agencies and its local branches among the national organizations. The METI investigated the 20 individual offices for the energy consumption, the total floor area, the number of staff, and the status of energy efficiency initiatives.
Categorizing buildings to three groups, (1) the buildings managed by own, (2) the buildings managed by other ministries and agencies such as joint government buildings, and (3) the buildings leased by the private sector etc., the index were calculated. The target level was set at “0.700 or less” which the top 15% can achieve.
One of the committee members pointed out, “For the office buildings leased from the private sector where owner’s intention is prioritized, it is hard to promote energy conservation in central air-conditioning“
In response to this, the secretariat answered “large-scale retrofitting is practically difficult,” but said, “There is room to seek them efforts, such as changing lighting equipment and enhancing the efficiency of copy machines, etc.”