Need Help?

About

Eco-friendly Campus Policy

Recent years have witnessed a worsening of global warming due to increasing emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases, frequently causing extreme weather events in different parts of the world and consequently inflicting serious impacts on human activities and ecology.

It is our responsibility to build a low-carbon, recycling-oriented, sustainable society so as to be able to pass on a healthy environment to future generations.

In October 2019, the Renewable Energy 100 Declaration RE Action was established by the Renewable Energy 100 Declaration RE Action Council as a new framework in which participating companies, local governments, educational institutions, medical institutions, and other entities demonstrate their determination and action to convert their electricity consumption to 100% renewable energy, promoting 100% use of renewable energy. Supporting this framework as its ambassadors, the Ministry of the Environment and Kyoto City, among other ambassadors, have since worked to expand its circle of action.。

Ryukoku University established a Basic Eco-friendly Campus Policy in FY2010 and since then has been pushing forward with energy saving and other similar initiatives. As part of such initiatives, in FY2016, the University embarked on an effort aimed at reducing energy consumption in crude oil equivalent (basic unit) and CO2 emissions equivalent (basic unit) per one square meter floor area of a building by 4% or more in FY2019 compared to the FY2015 level. In addition, the University’s constituents have worked on fostering an awareness of environmental concerns by such means as holding eco-promotion events through collaboration between Kyoto Prefecture, Kyoto City, Starbucks Coffee Japan, and our students, and participating in the Kyoto Prefecture-hosted Environmental Festivals.

In FY2021, Ryukoku University joined the University Coalition for Carbon Neutrality, which was launched mainly by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology and the Ministry of the Environment in the quest to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. We will continue to pursue our various eco-friendly initiatives while strengthening our cooperation with national and local governments, the private sector, and other universities both at home and abroad through our education, research, and social engagement activities.

Upholding harmonious coexistence with society as its principle in every action, Ryukoku University has performed education and research activities, and in this respect, addressing environmental issues as increasingly demanded by society is a priority theme for us. Based on this recognition, the University defined its Basic Eco-friendly Campus Policy as described below, ensuring that all its constituents will actively strive with one accord to achieve the Policy.

1. The Basic Policy (Medium- to Long-term Targets) for an Eco-friendly Campus That Ryukoku University Aims to Create

Ryukoku University will foster an awareness of environmental issues among all its students, faculty, and staff, thereby aiming to create a campus where everyone strives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and other environmental burdens based on the basic policy (medium- to long-term targets) specified below.

[Basic Policy for an Eco-friendly Campus (Medium- to Long-term Targets)]

Ryukoku University aims to:

  1. achieve a zero-carbon campus by reducing emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases to virtually zero.
  2. convert its electricity energy consumption to 100% renewable energy by 2039 (by 2050 at the latest) through such means as utilizing natural energy, including photovoltaic power generation, and purchasing renewable energy.
  3. drastically reduce its paper consumption by introducing paperless meetings and other solutions.
  4. further improve the recycling rate of industrial waste generated through its education and research activities.

2. Setting Short-term Targets

Based on the foregoing basic policy (medium- to long-term targets), Ryukoku University has defined the following four items as its short-term targets and will promote daily energy saving and resource saving activities by all its constituents.
The activities toward achieving these targets will be reviewed yearly by the Committee for the Promotion of Measures against Global Warming.

(1) Reducing Environmental Burden

Ryukoku University aims to:

  • reduce energy consumption in crude oil equivalent (basic unit) and CO2 emissions equivalent (basic unit) per one square meter floor area of a building by 2.5% or more in FY2025 compared to the average level of the period FY2015 to FY2019.
  • reduce the amount of paper consumed for its education and research activities by 15% or more by FY2025 compared to the average level of the period FY2015 to FY2019.
  • improve the recycling rate of industrial waste generated through its education and research activities by 5% or more by FY2025 compared to the average level of the period FY2015 to FY2019.

(2) Analyzing Data
　　Ryukoku University will improve its data collection system for reviewing results from its energy saving and resource saving initiatives.

  •  Energy consumption data will be collected not only on a campus level, as has been done in the past, but also on a building by building or department by department basis so as to be able to make more precise analyses in pursuit of energy saving and resource saving.

(3) Raising Awareness
　　Ryukoku University will work on raising awareness of environmental issues among its students, faculty, and staff.

  •  The University will work with local governments and the private sector in organizing environment-related lectures, training sessions, and events.
  •  The University will disclose its energy consumption data on its website, thereby promoting visibility.

(4) Providing Support
　　Ryukoku University will support environmental activities

  • The University will provide positive support for environmental activities performed by its students, faculty, and staff on their own initiative.
  • The University will disseminate on its website the progress of various efforts in addressing environmental concerns.

(5) Reinforcing Projects
　　In moving toward creating an eco-friendly campus, Ryukoku University will reinforce its various projects.

  •  The University will actively work on large-scale, eco-friendly improvements to facilities and equipment and energy investments.
  •  The University will strive to strengthen its organizational structure.

Measures to Cope with Global Warming for FY2021

As described below, Ryukoku University launched Ryukoku Ecology 2021, a set of specific initiatives performed in FY2021 on each campus of the University in pursuit of achieving an eco-friendly campus. During the period the initiatives are in place, the University’s constituents are expected to improve their awareness of global warming prevention and be thoroughly informed of the details of the initiatives.

Ryukoku Ecology2021

1. Managing energy with the use of BEMS (Building Energy Management System)

Ryukoku University analyzes energy consumption data obtained through BEMS, an energy management system installed on its premises, examines the possibility of reducing its energy consumption and effective methods thereof, and takes positive action, such as changing air-conditioning settings.



Ryukoku University systematically replaces old, low-energy-efficient facilities and equipment.

<Energy saving-related works for FY2021>

1）Fukakusa Campus

i) Replacement of the multi-split air conditioner in the server room in Building 5
ii) LED lighting conversion work in Building 8
iii) Heat source equipment replacement work in the President’s Office in Shieikan
iv) Packaged air conditioner replacement work in Building 11 (Shiyokan)

2）Omiya Campus

No applicable work is scheduled for FY2021.

3) Seta Campus

i) Multi-split air conditioner replacement work (Building 5, REC, Seishikan, Seiunkan, HRC, Building 7)
ii) LED lighting conversion work in restrooms in Seishikan
iii) Heat source equipment replacement work in Seiunkan

3. Assigning Eco-Promotion Staff

Eco-Promotion Staff assigned to each department since FY2015 will remain on site to act as a contact point with the supervising unit (Administration Section, Seta Administration Office, or Educational Affairs Section of the Faculty of Letters) and as a person responsible for confirming the execution of activities. Identifying persons with these two functions will enable planned activities to be implemented more properly.
Eco-Promotion Staff will regularly receive email news (Eco-Promotion Staff Newsletter) so that the progress of the University’s measures to cope with global warming will be shared with them.

<Tasks Eco-Promotion Staff are expected to perform>

(i) Reduction of energy consumption and CO2 emissions
The supervising unit regularly provides Eco-Promotion Staff with data on the University’s energy consumption and CO2 emissions, thereby sharing with them where the University stands and its reduction targets. Eco-Promotion Staff are then expected to ensure that the respective departments execute energy saving activities as required.

(e.g., adjusting the room temperature to the appropriate level, turning off unnecessary lights and reducing lighting to partial lighting, reducing standby power consumption of OA equipment, and effectively using power saving mode)

(ii) Reduction of paper consumption
Data on the number of prints/copies made obtained from the counter in a Xerox multifunction printer that each department uses are regularly made available. Eco-Promotion Staff are expected to share this counter reading within the respective departments, thereby calling people’s attention to the print volume they have produced and implementing measures for reducing paper consumption in a bid to achieve good results.

(e.g., paperless meetings using Microsoft Teams and other similar tools; use of a projector during meetings; shift to electronic meeting materials, circulars, and other documents, and shift to shared files; and use of the duplex printing and aggregate printing functions when printing documents)

Waste reduction and recycling promotion
Eco-Promotion Staff are expected to install waste bins for recycling in the respective departments, check whether waste is properly separated, and correct any inappropriate practices.

Purchase of eco-friendly products (green purchasing)
Eco-Promotion Staff are expected to ensure that in purchasing consumable and other supplies, the respective departments choose recycled products, products with an Eco Mark, or other products with the lowest possible environmental burden.



1）Details to be thoroughly communicated

i) Reduction of energy consumption and CO2 emissions

  • Turn off unnecessary lights.
  •  Minimize the use of lights (Reducing to partial lighting).
    • Offices: Before the start of the workday, during lunch breaks, and at the end of the workday
    • Classrooms and laboratories: During the class and while away from one’s desk
  •  Turn off PC monitors before leaving one’s desk and when finishing the day’s work.
  • Switch off printers’ main power before leaving one’s desk and when finishing the day’s work.
  • Set copying machines and multifunction printers to switch to power saving mode when not in use.
  • Turn off air conditioners after classes are over.
  • As a standard, set the room temperature to 28°C during the cooling period and to 20°C during the heating period, and avoid excessive running of air conditioning.
  • Conduct eco-patrols (In conducting patrols, seek cooperation from the cleaning company and/or facilities management company as appropriate).
  • Turn off heated toilet seats during summer.
  • Reduce the number of lights in use.
  • Continue to suspend the illumination of Kenshinkan and to turn off the fountain at Seta Campus.
    * The exterior lights of the Ryukoku Museum (behind the bamboo blind at the front) will be lit up only on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

[Responsible Units]

○For each office: Administration Section (Fukakusa), Educational Affairs Section of the Faculty of Letters (Omiya), Seta Administration Office (Seta)
* At each department, Eco-Promotion Staff play a leading role in ensuring the implementation of activities.

○For teachers: Educational Affairs Section at each faculty

○For students: Student Affairs Office

  • Minimize the use of lights in club boxes and classrooms.
  • As a standard, set the indoor temperature of club boxes and classrooms to 28°C during the cooling period and to 20°C during the heating period, and avoid excessive running of air conditioning.
  •  When reserving classrooms for circle activities, do so for the actual hours of activities to be performed.
    * Set the running time of air conditioning according to the actual hours of activities to avoid waste.

○For cooperatives on campus: On a campus to campus basis
[Administration Section (Fukakusa), Seta Administration Office (Seta), Educational Affairs Section of the Faculty of Letters (Omiya)]

  •  Minimize the use of lights (before and after business hours).
  •  Turn off lights on store shelves as appropriate.
  •  Leave the door closed when possible so as to prevent cool or heated air from escaping.
  •  As a standard, set the room temperature to 28°C during the cooling period and to 20°C during the heating period, and avoid excessive running of air conditioning.

○For the cleaning company, facilities management company, and other service providers: On a campus to campus basis
[Administration Section (Fukakusa), Seta Administration Office (Seta), Educational Affairs Section of the Faculty of Letters (Omiya)]

ii) Reduction of paper consumption

  • Make meetings paperless as appropriate.
  • Shift to shared files in handling data.
  • Electronize circulars and other documents.
  • Use the duplex printing and aggregate printing functions.
  • Use the print preview function to avoid erroneous printing.
  • Re-use paper printed on one side.
  • Carefully examine the number of produced copies/prints.

[Responsible Units]

○For each office: Administration Section (Fukakusa), Educational Affairs Section of the Faculty of Letters (Omiya), Seta Administration Office (Seta)
* At each department, Eco-Promotion Staff play a leading role in ensuring the implementation of activities.

○For each teacher: Educational Affairs Section at each faculty

iii) Waste reduction and recycling promotion

  • Install boxes for wastepaper (recycled paper) and for dissolution treatment to promote recycling.
  • Install bins for separating waste to promote recycling.

[Responsible Units]

○For each office: Administration Section (Fukakusa), Educational Affairs Section of the Faculty of Letters (Omiya), Seta Administration Office (Seta)
* At each department, Eco-Promotion Staff play a leading role in ensuring the implementation of activities.

○For each teacher: Educational Affairs Section at each faculty

iv) Promotion of purchasing eco-friendly products (green purchasing)

  •  Purchase recycled products, products with an Eco Mark, or other products with the lowest possible environmental burden.

■The Administration Section and Seta Administration Office currently specify recycled products in purchasing the following items:

  • Toilet paper and copy paper
  • Toners and inks (for printers and rotary presses)

    • * This policy applies only to certain equipment since any damage or malfunction may not be supported by the vendor in the case of use of non-genuine products.

■Future initiatives

Kyoto Campuses: There will be more recycled products, products with an Eco Mark and other eco-friendly items on the List of Supplies for purchase applications. (Of 535 items, 249 items are currently eco-friendly.)
Green purchasing will also be encouraged in the case of selecting purchase items from sources other than the List of Supplies, such as the Kaunet Catalog. * To be encouraged through Eco-Promotion Staff Newsletter

Seta Campus: Green purchasing will also be encouraged in the case of selecting purchase items from sources other than the List of Supplies, such as the Kaunet Catalog. * To be encouraged through Eco-Promotion Staff Newsletter

[Responsible Units]

○For each office: Administration Section (Fukakusa), Educational Affairs Section of the Faculty of Letters (Omiya), Seta Administration Office (Seta)
* At each department, Eco-Promotion Staff play a leading role in ensuring the implementation of activities.

○For each teacher: Educational Affairs Section at each faculty

2) Method of ensuring thorough communication of the initiatives

i) Transmitting information on the University’s website (under Measures against Global Warming)

The following data/initiatives of the University will be disclosed/introduced using its website:

  • Energy consumption data and energy saving results
  • Energy saving initiatives
  • Waste reduction and recycling promotion initiatives
  • Initiatives for reducing paper consumption
  • Ryukoku Ecology 2021

ii) Installing an Eco-Promotion Spot

In Building 3 on Fukakusa Campus (at the entrance hall), details of initiatives implemented under Ryukoku Ecology 2021 will be showcased on panels and actual examples (waste separation categories, etc.).
Also introduced will be the Ryukoku Solar Park with power generation results being made available using digital signage so that the University’s efforts for both saving and generating energy will be introduced.

iii) Staging eco-promotion events and other events

The university will organize eco-promotion events and other similar events designed to create an even higher level of awareness of energy saving and resource saving among its students and other constituents.
The events will be conducted through collaboration with students, relevant departments in the University, and external organizations.

■ Basic Principle

Based on its founding spirit and in order to contribute to creating a sustainable society, Ryukoku University actively addresses environmental issues with a concerted effort among all its constituents, thereby striving to reduce environmental burden.

■ Policies

In pursuing harmonization with the global environment, Ryukoku University promotes environmental impact reduction initiatives based on the following policies so as to reduce the environmental impacts of all its education, research, and social engagement activities.

  1. While always being aware of the environmental impacts related to its activities, the University furthers the prevention of environmental pollution and protection of the environment, and strives to improve its environmental management activities on a continual basis.
    Protection of the environment includes the utilization of sustainable resources and adaptation to climate change.
  2. The University complies with all environment-related legal and other requirements involving its activities.
  3. Of the environmental impacts related to its activities, the University focuses on the items stated below as priority themes for environmental management:
    1. Reduction of energy consumption
    2. Reduction of paper consumption
    3. Reduction of general waste emissions
    4. Reduction of industrial waste emissions
  4. 4. To enable each of its employees to actively implement environmental burden reduction activities, the University communicates this Environmental Declaration to all employees and also makes it available to the public.

In order to achieve the abovementioned policies, Ryukoku University sets targets, regularly reviews them, and promotes its environmental management activities.

Established on June 30, 2017
Takashi Irisawa, President
Ryukoku University

GO TO TOP