Environmental Policies

Since opening in 1972 as the core field center of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), the Tsukuba Space Center (TKSC) has been functioning as a general field center for Japanese space development and utilization in the green, academic environment of Tsukuba Science City.

Comprehensive research and development projects for space development are currently underway at the TKSC, including research and development and development tests of satellites and launch vehicles, tracking and control as well as operation and utilization of on-orbit satellites, operations and utilization of the Japanese Experiment Module "Kibo" at the International Space Station, astronaut training, and manned space technology development.

We are striving to improve the Earth's environment by contributing to solve the Earth's environmental issues and reduce environmental stress through actively promoting the development and utilization of Earth observation satellites and other environment-related projects based on "JAXA's Environmental Charter," "JAXA Environmental Basic Policy" and our environment management promotion policy. In the JAXA Environmental Charter, we expressed our determination to contribute to realizing a society where both the Earth's environment preservation and its sustainable development are possible.

While carrying out our activities at the TKSC, we are taking into consideration the natural environment of Tsukuba Science City.
We hereby establish a basic policy for the TKSC's environmental improvement activities and will make efforts to protect the natural environment from pollution and strive to make effective use of natural resources. For this reason, we strictly follow regulations related to the prevention of local environmental pollution and abide by other requirements that the TKSC has agreed to follow.
Based on the above policy, the TKSC operates an "Environmental Management System" and has set the following activities as top priority items.

- We are promoting research and development as well as the operation and utilization of satellites that contribute to the Earth's environment issues.

- By establishing activities for energy-saving as part of our daily operations, such as appropriate usage of electricity and gas, JAXA is aiming to meet a CO2 emission reduction target of 8 percent by 2012 compared to the level of 2001.

- We make sure that we dispose waste in an appropriate manner by strictly observing requirements and procedures.

- We are determined to use resources efficiently by making employees accustomed to "paperless" operations and by firmly observing the Law on Promoting Green Purchasing, our Green purchasing policy and the 3R policy (Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle.)

- We are promoting the appropriate management of chemical materials to prevent water pollution and contamination by setting a target of zero accidents.

The TKSC has established an operational plan for specific activities to promote sustainable improvement of the environment while releasing information on our green activities to the public.
We also regularly evaluate the environmental management system through a management review and other methods, and constantly strive to improve it.
This environmental policy is also displayed at the TKSC to inform our staff as well as the general public coming to our center. It is also available upon request.