Zero Carbon Campus Working Group
Purpose of the Zero Carbon Campus WG
In October 2020, Japan declared its goal of achieving a "decarbonized society" with zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
To achieve this goal, the University joined the government's "University Coalition for Carbon Neutrality" and established a "Zero Carbon Campus WG" on campus to achieve carbon neutrality (virtually zero CO2 emissions).
The Zero Carbon Campus WG is working to promote zero-carbon initiatives.
Examples of Activities
Research case studies on decarbonization
Faculty members participating in the Zero Carbon Campus WG introduce each other's research cases related to decarbonization in their respective fields of expertise and promote the accumulation and development of knowledge toward carbon neutrality.
Topics include "operational management of air-conditioning equipment," "rooftop greening," "performance improvement of building envelopes," "building environmental engineering," "extending the service life of wooden buildings," "landscape design," "local Virtual Power Plant," "sewage heat utilization," and more, in order to approach carbon neutrality from a wide variety of perspectives.
Cooperation with the Kansai Electric Power Company
Osaka Metropolitan University has concluded a comprehensive collaboration agreement with Kansai Electric Power Company (hereinafter referred to as KEPCO) and has them participate in the Zero Carbon Campus WG.
As a specific initiative toward carbon neutrality, the company is cooperating with us in estimating the effects of introducing KEPCO's "on-site solar power generation service" and other energy creation and energy saving services to each of our campuses.
Agreement for Promotion of Wood Use at Morinomiya Campus with Osaka Prefecture and Osaka City
The "Agreement for Promotion of Wood Use at Morinomiya Campus of Osaka Metropolitan University" was concluded with Osaka Prefecture, Osaka City, Takenaka Corporation, and Yasui Architects & Engineers.
Based on this agreement, the University is actively planning to use wood in the development of the Morinomiya Campus buildings.
Morinomiya Campus Improvement Project selected for use of "Green Bonds" issued by Osaka City
Osaka City issues "Green Bonds," a financing method specialized in environmental measures such as global warming countermeasures. The Morinomiya Campus Improvement Project has been selected as one of the projects for this program.
Installation of energy-saving and energy-creating equipment in planned new school buildings
The University is installing solar power generation systems, high-efficiency transformers, high-performance air conditioners, and energy-saving lighting in the Morinomiya Campus, which is scheduled to open in 2025, and in new buildings to be built on the Sugimoto, Nakamozu, and Abeno campuses.
At Morinomiya Campus, a Building Energy Management System (BEMS) is being installed to make energy use more visible, and the eaves ceilings of the pilotis are being made of wood based on the agreement with Osaka Prefecture and Osaka City to promote the use of wood.
Conversion of lighting fixtures in existing school buildings to LED
In order to improve the energy-saving performance of lighting equipment in existing school buildings on each campus, the University is gradually switching to LED lighting.
At Sugimoto Campus, the leasing method for the installation of LED lighting is adopted, eliminating the need for initial investment by using the cost savings in utility expenses to finance the lease costs.
We plan to continue to adopt the lease method to speed up the conversion to LED lighting in the future.