Calculations in Environmental Accounting (3)

Trial Calculation of Environmental Assessment Indicator

We have a formula to calculate "eco-efficiency," an environmental assessment indicator with which we can comprehensively grasp and manage the efficiency of environmental activities and disclose relevant information to the public in an easy-to-understand way.

There are various formulas to calculate eco-efficiency depending on the purpose of assessment. Referring to Tohoku EPCo, we have adopted the formula to grasp changes in eco-efficiency on a fiscal year basis for the purpose of assessing how we do businesses while controlling environmental load at the same time.

Integration of Environmental Loads

We have selected the domestically invented ELP method* to integrate various environmental loads relevant to business activities, such as "global warming," "air pollution," and "wastes," under a single and common indicator.

The reason that we have adopted the ELP method is that, compared with other methods, it is designed to assess the effects of environmental measures concerning fuel consumption, wastes, and CO2, SOx and NOx emissions in a balanced manner.

* The ELP (environmental load point) method was developed by Waseda University's Nagata Research Room.

Results of Trial Calculation

The "eco-efficiency" of our environmental activities for FY2004 stood at 1.100 on a basis of the value of the reference year of FY1999 (1.000). The eco-efficiency was largely improved owing to a decrease in environmental load. The decrease is attributed to reduction in the emissions of CO2, SOx, NOx, and others thanks to an increase in electricity generated by the nuclear power stations.

Changes in Eco-Efficiency

Tabulation of Environmental Accounting

*1: Depreciation expenses are included, and personnel expenses for organizations involved in environmental measures are distributed to each classification.

*2: Costs for the CO2 emissions control measures taken by nuclear, hydroelectric, geothermal and LNG-fired thermal power stations are not included due to the difficulties in reasonably calculating specific costs, although these measures are effective for the prevention of global warming.

*3: The environmental cost in this classification was calculated as an additional cost for environmental preservation by subtracting the amount of cost paid to standard products from the total cost of green products purchased. In the case that the difference was in the minus, it was added to the economic effects.

*4: Efforts for the treatment and recycling of coal ash, fuel ash, and desulfurized gypsum were classified under the relevant categories because these wastes were produced from environmental preservation facilities.

*5: The figures indicated are those of emissions whose environmental loads were removed at environmental preservation facilities, and the figures were calculated by subtracting the quantities of actual emissions treated at environmental preservation facilities from the equivalent quantities of emissions not treated (no environmental cost accrued).

*6: Scope of calculation was applied only to the distance of "underground distribution cables" that fell under the category of measures for improving urban landscape.

Economic Effects