TEIKOKU DATABANK

	Survey on Corporate Attitudes toward Environmental Issue (2005.7)

20% thinking about starting "Cool Biz"; 44% answered 'Cool Biz' should become a permanent measure.

- Over 20% Corporations Implement "Cool Biz". -

Introduction

In June 2005 the Environment Ministry started “Cool Biz” campaign to encourage workers to dress casually during the summer, with a goal of preventing global warming.
Ahead of it, the Kyoto Protocol, an international agreement for the reduction of greenhouse effect, entered into force in February 2005. Environmental concern is growing worldwide.
Teikoku Databank conducted a survey in our "TDB Economic Trends Research," issued monthly since May 2002 (the Internet-based survey) to study about corporation’s attitudes toward environmental issue.
Research Period: June 22-30, 2005
Research Subject: 21,374 corporations across the nation
Valid Responses: 10,387 corporations (response rate 48.6%)

Results of the Research

"Cool Biz" - 20% Already Started, 20% Thinking About Starting, 44% "Should Become a Permanent Measure".

Already Started: 20.7% (2,155 corporations)
Thinking About Starting : 19.6% (2,033 corporations)
*Companies Already Began "Cool Biz"
Large Corporations: 27.8% (704 corporations)
Small and Medium-Sized Corporations: 18.5% (1,451 corporations)
"Cool Biz" Should be Permanent : 43.9% (4,557 corporations)
*1,301 corporations (25.5%) that have not started the "Cool Biz" are also included in the result.

"It is important for the entire nation to continue to tackle with the environmental issue even if what each people can do is small" (Construction material wholesaler, Akita Prefecture) "Setting air conditioners at only one-degree below usual can give large impact on total power usage in the nation.
We should start with anything we can do." (Pharmaceuticals maker, Toyama Prefecture) Although unable to start the environmental practices at present due to social reason, many corporations are feeling the needs of starting something in order to protect global environment.

60% Took Measures to the Environmental Problem; More Companies Aware of
the Global Importance of the Issue.
Already tackling with the environmental issue by “Cool Biz” and other measures : 59.5% (6,812 corporations)
Large Corporations: 67.1% (1,697 corporations)
Small and Medium-Sized Corporations: 57.1% (4,485 corporations)
About the overall impact that a series of environmental measures would give on the Japanese Economy:
Expects favorable impact: 24.9% (2,587 corporations)
Expects negative impact: 13.7% (1,423 corporations)
Cannot decide for which: 47.1% (4,895 corporations)

"If global warming were to further progress, we might be having more harmful impact. We need to come up with a countermeasure as soon as possible." (Merchandise retailer, Ibaraki Prefecture) "It cannot be too much to protect global environment, for any economic activities are conducted on the globe." (Construction company, Tokyo)
There are also negative views to the environmental measures such as "There may be some corporations that won't be able to cover the cost of environmental practices." (Communications equipment wholesaler, Fukushima Prefecture)
However, thanks to The Kyoto Protocol and the "Cool Biz" campaign, people are increasingly realizing that the environmental issue is the foremost thing to be dealt with.