Arab News Japan

TOKYO: U.S. Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel on Tuesday celebrated Green Day by declaring America’s diplomatic offices in Japan to be carbon-free.

 

Speaking alongside U.S. Secretary of State Tony Blinken, Rahm stated: “I am proud to announce that the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo and our five Consulates throughout Japan will run on 100percent carbon-free electricity. The U.S. Mission to Japan is the first U.S. diplomatic mission in the world of this size to make the switch, and we will not be the last.  The shift to clean, green energy will produce tangible results.”

 

“In Tokyo, the Embassy’s switch to green power and the Ambassador’s Residence will reduce CO2 emissions by 1,857 tons per year, the equivalent of 640 households in Japan. When we add the five consulates, together, the total CO2 reduction is equivalent to more than 900 households in Japan.”

 

Emanuel said addressing climate change is a priority for President Biden, calling it “the challenge of the century.” He added: “I am proud of the green legacy that we will leave behind.”  

 

Actions taken by America’s diplomatic offices include installing LED lighting and double-paned windows; fitting amenities that minimize water use; building automated systems that monitor and regulate cooling, heating, and lighting; purchasing green vehicles; instituting an embassy recycling program; and installing motion sensors to automatically turn off lights when people leave workspaces.