Emissions Trading / CDM

Emissions trading

Toshiba Corporation is participating in the Japanese government's Initiative for Trading Emissions in the Unified Domestic Market on a Trial Basis, which started in October 2008, and aims to achieve its targets by advancing CO₂ emission reduction plans consistent with the industry's voluntary action plan. Starting in FY2010, the Tokyo metropolitan government requires business sites to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and introduce an emissions trading system, launching Japan's first mandatory regulations for greenhouse gas emissions. Several operation bases of Toshiba Group in Tokyo, which are covered by these initiatives, are attaining targets through their own efforts by actively introducing high-efficiency air-conditioning equipment, LED lighting, and so forth. Furthermore, Toshiba Group is endeavoring to establish systems that enable it to respond to regulatory risks such as statutory regulations and environmental taxes, which the Japanese government is expected to introduce to achieve its medium-term targets. In order to help achieve the goals in the industry's voluntary action plan, Toshiba Group contributes to the Japan GHG Reduction Fund.

CDM business

In January 2009, in order to promote a clean development mechanism (CDM) project in Vietnam, Toshiba worked with a local company to establish a new business firm that is responsible for both CDM business and biogas supply in Tay Ninh Province. The new firm will use Toshiba Group's high-concentration organic wastewater treatment technology to engage in a CDM business in which it collects biogas generated from wastewater treatment ponds at starch factories and other facilities in the country with the aim of reducing greenhouse gas emissions. In order to help factories reduce fuel costs, it will also supply the collected biogas to those who need it. Through the implementation of this project, it will contribute to improvement of the surrounding environment. In the future, the firm plans to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases in Vietnam equivalent to 500,000 tons of CO₂ annually by developing new projects to handle a wider range of high-concentration organic wastewater such as alcohol and food processing.