Land & Air

At the beginning of each fiscal year since 2008, we have established specific action plans and targets to reduce CO2 emissions.

In particular, we have placed emphasis on making optimal use of window shades and air conditioning.

Closing the window shades, In summer, a closed window shade during daylight hours can keep heat out and cool air in a building.
In winter, closed blinds when the sun is down can keep cold air out and warm air in a building.

Open blinds on a clear winter's day allows warm sunshine to enter.

Closed blinds on a hot summer afternoon reduces the load placed on air conditioners.

It is extremely difficult to maintain comfortable office temperatures, so we coordinate with building management to efficiently maintain a comfortable office environment.

Temperature controls for each floor

Using temperature data from continually monitored floors, we seek to maintain a comfortable, energy-efficient office environment.

Since October 2009, NYK has gradually installed LED fluorescent lights at company-related facilities.

And after an LED-light trial at the NYK head office in July 2010 confirmed a reduction in electricity use there, LED fluorescent lights were installed shortly thereafter.

LED lights not only use less electricity but also can be used for longer durations. In fact, electricity use during the summer of 2011 was 60% less than the previous year.

NYK has purchased 5 i-MiEVs (i-MiEV: Mitsubishi innovative Electric Vehicle, environment-friendly electric vehicles), produced by Mitsubishi Motors Corporation. Two of the vehicles will be used to deliver mail from the NYK head office to NYK Group companies in Tokyo. The switch to these EVs was made after carefully examining expected mileage and their ability to fully charge overnight. At Yokohama branch office and other NYK Group companies in the Nagoya district, the EVs will be used by employees for visits to vessels at ports nearby.

The vehicles are painted aurora blue to match the color used on NYK's pure car carriers.

Office renovation and energy-saving activities

The NYK Tokyo office building has been renovated in ways that simultaneously changed the work style. For example, renovations introduced energy-saving facilities such as fluorescent lights, efficient air conditioning, and environment-friendly toilet stools.

As part of an environmental conservation campaign that ran June−October 2008, the Eco-Efficiency Office Committee carried out the following actions:

• Setting the air conditioning in the office at 28ﾟC
• Extending the wearing of casual business clothes from June to October, one month longer than when this "cool-biz" program began in 1997
• Decreasing the amount of hot water as much as possible in summer
• Reducing the amount of copy paper
• Conducting a Recruiting Eco Ideas program that collects from staff members ideas for saving energy and commends sections that carry out effective energy-saving activities
• Turning off the lights at lunchtime and after 8 p.m. on Wednesday, which has been designated a day to leave the office earlier than usual

Rooftop garden

Along with the office renovation, a rooftop garden, which includes an herb section, a fruit section, a lawn section, and so on, was established on top of the NYK Tokyo office building. Roof gardening has contributed to a slight reduction in the heat radiated from the building in summer. In addition, staff members can have lunch there, do a little exercise, and relax among some green trees and beautiful flowers. Prior to the garden's opening, it was named the Green Deck, which was selected from names suggested by staff members.

Installation of solar-power generation equipment

Rooftop solar-power generation facilities at the NYK Tobitakyu general training institute have been working since 2002.
Consisting of six generators with 420 solar panels (120 centimeters by 80 centimeters) with a generating capacity of 50 kilowatts, equivalent to the power demand of approximately 15 households, the system can meet approximately30% of the electricity needs of the institute. Unused daytime capacity is sold to an electricity company.

NYK NA Achieves LEED Gold Certification

The Boise office of NYK Line (North America) Inc. (NYK NA) achieved the LEED^*1 Gold certification for Commercial Interiors from the U.S. Green Building Council. The Boise office is the first NYK NA office space to achieve such a distinction. In order for the Boise office to be certified, our lighting, air quality, power consumption, and materials all had to be rated against the LEED standard.

Along with the LEED certification, the office received 528 MWh (megawatt hours) of renewable energy credits that will help offset our carbon footprint. These certificates are the equivalent of taking 73 cars off the road for one year. While this is a great achievement, the Boise office continues to think of ways to become even more environmentally friendly in our day-to-day business activities.

*1 The LEED certification
the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design:
This program encourages and accelerates the global adoption of sustainable green building and development practices through a rating system that recognizes buildings and commercial interiors that implement strategies for better environmental performance.