Possibility of Energy Saving and CO₂ Emission Reduction in the Household Sector by Promoting Energy-saving Education

— Verification of Energy-saving Education Effects in Elementary, Junior High, and High Schools —

Abstract

  Climate change is an urgent issue, and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change clearly states the importance of education. In order to establish energy-saving behavior as a social norm toward carbon neutrality in 2050, it is considered important to take measures in school education. However, it is not quantitatively clear whether these measures actually contribute to CO₂ reduction at home.

  Therefore, the purpose of this study was to comprehensively clarify the effect of the actual measurement of energy consumption at home and the behavioral practice rate.

  As a result, by introducing energy-saving education, the practice rate of energy-saving behavior at home improved by about 20% and a CO₂ reduction effect of about 5% was obtained. Education for children influenced their behavior at home, and the educational effect could still be seen even one year later. It was suggested that energy saving education directly contributes to energy saving and CO₂ reduction at home.