A key government body tasked with cutting wasteful spending sought Wednesday to cut funds for several programs aimed at curbing greenhouse gas emissions and saving energy, questioning their effectiveness.
A working group for the body, the Government Revitalization Unit, said the ¥502 million requested for programs aimed at raising public awareness of global warming and reducing emissions of carbon dioxide and other global warming gases should be halved.
The program includes the Cool Biz campaign, under which the government urges office workers to dress more casually, without jackets and ties, in the summer so workplace air conditioners can be set higher and thus emit less carbon dioxide.