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April 4, 2012

[SSJ: 7345] Re: A couple of reasons why the electricity has kept flowing despite the nuclear shutdowns

From: Haddad, Mary Alice
Date: 2012/04/04

On the topic of energy efficiency, I thought I'd share a few statistics. These come from a Keidanren report, "Keidanren's Action on Global Environment", a hard copy of which was handed to me during some interviews there during June 2011.

The total change in CO2 emissions from energy consumption in Japan by sector 1990-2009 Total= +0.03% change

Sectors that increased their emissions:
Waste 14.1%
Transport 5.4%
Residence 26.9%
Offices 33.6%
Energy industries 16.2%

Sectors that decreased their emissions:
Industrial Processes -30.4%
Manufacturing -19.9%

The other extraordinary figure in the report is that Japan has dramatically reduced its final disposal industrial waste. In 2009 it was 89% below 1990 levels. This is largely because of rising reutilization rates, which are now above 50%.

It is very clear that the building sector, both household and offices, is the area where the greatest improvements can be made. Since improvements in this area are relatively cheap and easy, as others have pointed out, it is somewhat startling that more has not been done.

Best regards,
Mary Alice

Approved by ssjmod at 11:50 AM