Action Demonstrates U.S. Government’s Commitment to Fighting Climate Crisis, Supports Sapporo and Hokkaido Decarbonization Efforts
SAPPORO, Japan (April 21, 2022) – Coinciding with Earth Day, the U.S. Consulate General in Sapporo is switching its electricity supply to effectively 100% emissions-free renewable energy. This action aligns with President Biden’s commitment to lead by example in tackling the climate crisis, decreasing reliance on fossil fuels and reducing emissions.
“This is the decade to act to limit global warming to 1.5°C,” said U.S. Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel. “What we do between now and 2030 will be pivotal.”
The decision to switch to clean electricity came after thorough research into various options. Ultimately, the decision was made to source our electricity from a local power company’s 100% carbon-free plan, one of several available to both organizations and individual consumers.
This action will save an estimated 141,000kg of CO2 emissions per year – roughly equivalent to taking 1,500 flights between Sapporo and Tokyo.
“We are very proud to take this step,” said U.S. Consul General to Sapporo Andrew Lee. “Each of us has to do what we can to reduce our carbon footprint. This is our way of showing that we stand with the people of Sapporo and Hokkaido, who are also making great strides toward dramatically reducing dependence on carbon-based fuels.”
The Consulate General last year created an action plan to both reduce the carbon footprint of its facility in Sapporo, as well as support the U.S. and Japanese governments’ ambitious commitments to combat the climate crisis.
“We welcome the U.S. Consulate General’s bold action to reduce its carbon footprint as part of our common fight against the climate crisis,” noted Sapporo City Mayor Katsuhiro Akimoto.