Session 1-3
	Summer Eco-Point Program to Prevent Global Warming: A Way to Save Electricity 　Ms. Yukiko Hamatani, Environmental Department, Mie Prefecture

　When you propose ‘save the electricity’ or ‘conserve energy’, you will never meet any opposition. But at the same time, very few people carry such proposals out. People also find it hard to continue keeping ‘environmental household accounts.’

　Considering this deadlock, three years ago, ‘Summer Eco-Point’ was introduced in Mie Prefecture. It is a triple-win system: you can contribute to preventing global warming, reduce your payment for electricity, and gain funds.

　 This simple and concrete initiative received a lot of different responses, including criticisms. Meanwhile voluntary actions have been increased, and local power has been regenerated, by unique ideas and applications produced by the participants.

　How does it work? In summer (which is the high season for electricity), if your electricity use at home is less than it was the same month of the previous year, you can gain grant according to the reduction ratio. To join this program, participants have to form a group ? communities, colleagues, friends, etc. - and funds will be given to these groups, to be used for environmental purposes and group activities. Since its start in 2001, the system has been continuously improved by responding to the requests and the comments from the local residents. (See table below)


Structure of Summer Eco-Point Program & Achievement in 2003

Additional Effects
　
　Because of its straightforwardness, and also the economic incentives, many households took part in the program, which led them to reconsider their lifestyle as well. For example, people commented, ‘I became interested in my electricity use after learning how much electricity I had used exactly one year ago (written on the utility bill),’ or ‘I got into the habit of checking unnecessary power use, and managed to reduce it even during winter.’

　 At the same time, this program has become an effective communication tool, too. Instead of administrators sending one-way messages, they received feedback from the participants, and based on what was discussed there, the contents of the program for the next year were modified. Communication within communities and families has been also improved, as seen in some comments (e.g. ‘To save electricity, the whole family came to spend more time in the living room together,’ and ‘participants exchanged useful ideas on how to cut electricity, and discussed each other’s activities.’)

　Some groups adapted this originally simple system for more unique plans. For instance, Futami Town where the entire population of 3,031 households participated, made their own contributions to create extra benefits (for giving free seedlings or other things). Many groups added finishing touches to their programs including a point-system by which people can exchange their points with the eco-products. There were groups who conducted data analysis and examination. Unexpected effects include encouragement for people to learn about computers and e-mail.


The Key to Success; and the Problems that Remain

　The results of the Summer Eco-Point Program shows us the following key points that lead to success.

・ Suggestions should not be just ideological slogans, but should be for simple and concrete actions to fit in daily life.

・ There should be some flexibility: the targets and basic framework must be set, but individual families and groups should be allowed to implement the program in their own way.

・ Those who work hard should be rewarded by a fair system (distribution of funds, announcement on ranking to top groups, etc.)

・ Two-way communication should be ensured so that reviews can be used to advantage for the next year.

・ There should be a key-person in each group to act as a focal point.


　The 17,831 families who participated may sound quite a lot, but this is only 3% of the total. To call for more support for the program and the residents’ participation, we have to continue working for improvement. These include consideration about privacy (names and electricity bills), improvements in aspects which participants think ‘troublesome’, recruitment for the new participating groups and increase in numbers of participants (75% of the participation in 2003 is consecutive from 2002), and exploration in applying the program to other utilities such as gas and water.