Environment Promotion of building a biomass town (around 2007)

Environment Promotion of building a biomass town (around 2007)

Around 2007, as Japan approached the first commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol, there was a growing need to balance global warming countermeasures and regional development. The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) launched the "Biomass Town Concept," a nationwide initiative to utilize local resources in a cyclical manner. A decentralized model combining various technologies was recommended, including composting of food waste, biogas production through methane fermentation, woody biomass fuel utilization, biodiesel refining from waste cooking oil, and ethanol demonstration using feed rice as raw material. Each municipality selected the appropriate technology, and a mechanism was sought to achieve both a regionally independent energy supply and a reduction in environmental impact.

In Aisho Town, Shiga Prefecture, residents cooperate to collect waste cooking oil and supply it to town buses and farm machinery. In Shimokawa Town, Hokkaido, a woody biomass district heating system utilizing forest resources was established to revitalize the forestry industry and provide employment. In Ena City, Gifu Prefecture, an ethanol demonstration using feed rice and residues was promoted, and in Minamata City, Kumamoto Prefecture, food waste and organic resources were composted and converted to energy, taking advantage of the experience of overcoming pollution. Furthermore, in Ehime Prefecture, ethanol production from squeezed lees of mandarin orange juice was estimated, and competition with food and feedstuffs was also discussed.

These cases were evaluated not only as mere global warming countermeasures, but also as practices to revitalize local communities, promote industry, and rebuild social solidarity. The national government presented a menu of systems and technologies, and the local communities sought optimal solutions for local resources, which became a symbolic effort to materialize the transition to a recycling-oriented society.