Subcommittee on Winter City Environmental Issues 2 nd Questionnaire Survey-Replies-(summary) Conducted in June 2007

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1 Subcommittee on Winter City Environmental Issues 2 nd Questionnaire Survey-Replies-(summary) Conducted in June 2007 Q1. Compilation of Plans to Counteract Global Warming ~Plans and targets at the national level~ Name of country Greenland Norway Japan Targeted reduction reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 8% from the 1990 levels Mandatory curbs by the reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 10% from the 1990 levels Mandatory curbs by the reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 6% from the 1990 levels Mandatory curbs by the ~Plans and targets at the municipal level~ Name of city Name of the working plan Goal rate of reduction of CO2 and/or GHG emissions Nuuk Aomori Renewable Resource Program Energy and Greenhouse Gas Management Plan Reduce GHG emissions by 7% from the 1990 levels by the year 2012 Reduce GHG emissions by 2% from the 2002 levels by the year 2020 *Corporate operations (under municipal control) have a reduction target of 10%. Improve waste disposal and combustion in the Nuuk Environmental Plan settlements, and improve larger combustion plant by 2012 Air Pollution Master Plan in city (to be completed July 2007) Reduce GHG emissions by 4.12% from the 1999 levels Action Plan for Countermeasures between the year 2000 and 2004 (A new plan is against Global Warming in Aomori currently being developed.) Promotion Plan for Reduce GHG emissions by 6% from the 1990 levels by Countermeasures against Global the year 2010 and 10% by the year 2017 Warming in Q2. Basic Policy and/or Working Plan for Global Warming Countermeasures ~Reasons and/or backgrounds leading to the basic policy and/or working plan~ Name of city Nuuk Reasons and/or backgrounds leading to the basic policy and/or working plan for global warming countermeasures Within the last few years, the impact of climate change on Southcentral Alaska has been staggering. Joined the Partners for Climate Promotion Program (PCP) with recommendation by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM). The PCP supports local governments in their efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and address the larger issues of climate change. Intends to improve waste disposal and combustion opportunities in the capital city Also, raise awareness among the settlements of the necessity of better waste disposal The estimated national CO2 emission in 1995 was roughly 6.6 tons per capita. Current estimates of population and economic growth indicate that Mongolia may experience a three-fold increase in energy demand by the year currently has a central heating system with 3 coal-fired combined heat and power plants, coal-fired heat-only boilers, inefficient coal-burning household stoves and 86,000 vehicles contributing to air pollution. 1

2 Aomori Intends to further decrease burdens on the environment and curb greenhouse gas emission Also, realize an environmentally-friendly, recycling-oriented city with sustainable development that incorporates the characteristics of the city motto Blue Forests, Blue Sea, based on the targets of the Aomori Environment Plan. Through environmental action done by individual efforts of citizens, we intend to achieve an environmentally-oriented city, which appeals to the world, and also reduce CO2 emissions with concrete measures. ~Outline and characteristics of the global warming countermeasures~ Name of city Aomori Outline and characteristics of the global warming countermeasures Has a network consisting of 1,200 citizens who actively present their ideas and proposals, and support their implementation. Also, a unique system for allocating staff funding. The Energy and Greenhouse Gas Management Plans is divided into two sections: corporate (municipal operation) emissions and community emissions. The countermeasures have been divided into 9 subject areas with 20 initiatives the City can pursue. Priority actions for air pollution and greenhouse gas generation reduction: 1. Improvement of energy system technology & new alternative fuel utilization 2. Air quality management & monitoring network improvement 3. Public awareness, systematic capacity-building program for citizens 4. Law & legislation improvement Scope: All the clerical works and projects at the various sections and facilities of the mayor s office, city assembly, board of education, traffic department and waterworks department To attain the goal of greenhouse effect gas emission relating to the city s clerical works and projects, the city utilizes the ISO environment management system. Encourages all the citizens of to become environment-conscious. Develops partnerships among citizens, businesses, and public administrations Q3. Activities Cities Have Been Implementing to Counteract Global Warming ~, U.S.A.~ The Information Technology Department at the Municipality implemented a new system to put the Municipal computer monitors to sleep when not in use, saving more than $80,000 a year and reducing emissions by more than 1,200 tons. In 2006, the Renewable Resources Program created the Sustainable Buildings Working Group. working to develop a municipal ordinance setting standards for sustainable building design worked with the Museum of History and Art to design the new museum as one of s first LEED buildings ~, Canada~ The beneficial use of biogas at the city s wastewater treatment center Reduced vehicle fleet emissions anti-idling campaign switching to a biodiesel blended fuel mix for official vehicle Energy reduction and audit programs 2

3 nine municipal building retrofits a city streetlight dimming project conversion of traffic and Christmas light to LED technology ~Tromsø, Norway~ Methane collected from refuse disposal plants Reduced private car use Implemented use of biofuel and LNG for transport ~Shenyang, China~ Increase in the ratio of green coverage Promotion of energy-efficient houses Plans to convert grain stalks into fuel in farming areas Leading the nation in geothermal pump numbers ~, Mongolia~ Implemented project to improve household stoves(2001~2007) Design, testing and pilot production of improved efficient stove Introduced improved stove to the local market and creation of market demand through social marketing and public awareness Quality assurance Capacity-building programs for local manufacturers Monitoring and evaluation ~Taebaek, Korea~ Operated wind-generated power complexes Created business profit through wind energy production and utilize the complexes as tourism resources (wind power generation: 8 plants 850kW) Purchased projects of privately-owned forests Conservation of forest resources, management of privately-owned forests purchased ~Aomori, Japan~ Promoted the use of low-emission vehicles No Private Car Campaign by city officials Promoted introducing new energy and/or energy-saving equipment Formulated the Action Plan for Countermeasures against Global Warming in Aomori(March 2001) Recycled used disposable chopsticks ~, Japan~ CO2 reduction promotional projects Systematically implemented promotional and educational projects for CO2 reduction Promotion of environmental education Promoted of environmental education relating to global warming at school 3

4 Support system for environment-conscious businesses Sent advisors to support pro-environmental actions of businesses Model project of solar panels installation Installed solar panels at elementary schools Idling Stop Campaign Q4. Education of Citizens about Global Warming / Collaboration with Private Businesses and Citizens Groups ~, U.S.A.~ Created the City Hall Green Star program to bring municipal employees together to share and implement ideas. Cosponsored the Business Climate Roundtable in February 2007 to highlight business efforts to reduce emissions. Organized a public forum as part of the Alaska Forum on the Environment in February 2007 on reasonable, concrete individual and business actions to reduce emissions. Spoke at the Alaska Wilderness Recreation and Tourism Association annual meeting on the economic benefits of tackling global warming. ~, Canada~ Increasing community awareness of water conservation. Distributing information pamphlets to residential areas during peak lawn sprinkling times. Visiting schools and hosting children s activities related to water conservation. Public engagement in the context of the Integrated Community Sustainability Plan will be developed next. Several businesses have participated in previous City-led initiatives such as the anti-idling campaign and we have had numerous enquires from other large vehicle fleets regarding our biodiesel program. ~Tromsø, Norway~ In cooperating with voluntary actors, educating our population to behave in a more environmental friendly way. reducing waste quantity reducing and recycling using public transportation, walking and biking ~, Mongolia~ Enrolling private businesses into awareness-raising education Disseminating information on global warming to citizens in order to raise their education level With enhanced cooperation from the business sector, contributing to the fight against global warming 4

5 ~Shenyang, China~ Conducting a contest to select an Ambassador for Environmental Conservation Implementing environmental conservation educational activities by the Shenyang Environmental Conservation Education and Promotion Team and the Group of Lecturers for Shenyang Environmental Conservation and Education Dissemination and education of knowledge relating to environmental conservation education by volunteers Carrying out cultural and entertainment events on environment (Dates: April 22 nd Earth Day, June 5 th Environment Day) ~Taebaek, Korea~ Implementing Private Car-Free Campaign Conducting the campaign at the beginning of June every year Carrying out various experienced-based events relating to environmental conservation including: control of vehicles art show exhibition of environment-related photos fair for recycled items etc. Q5. Other (environment-related issues in member cities) ~Shenyang, China~ Vehicle exhaust emission Air pollution caused by heating system in wintertime Noise pollution Water pollution ~, Mongolia~ Air pollution is a most serious issue, which needs consideration at the national level Needs any information on air pollution reduction (experiences, best practices, etc.) from other cities. 5