Tokyo ward to certify eco-friendly builders

Tokyo's Minato Ward is planning to certify building-developers that use domestic timber rather than cheaper imports.

Under the plan, developers would be credited for helping develop the country's forests that soak up carbon dioxide emissions.

Minato ward officials and experts met on Friday to begin studies on the program. One participant said promoting the use of domestic timber will help create nationwide momentum for forest conservation.

Minato Ward has seen a boom in office-building construction in recent years, with cheaper foreign timber used in many of the interior structures. The trend is the same nationwide.

The ward plans to launch the certification system next September. It will be first of its kind to promote the use of domestic timber, regardless of its region of origin.
2009/12/04 18:17(JST)