Conference to promote the School New Deal

Under the initiative of the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT Minister), the government has decided to organize a conference to promote the School New Deal, with the attendance of the MEXT Minister, the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI Minister) and the Minister of the Environment.

1. What is the School New Deal scheme?

Nine ministries of the government have been cooperating to promote and expand solar power generation in line with the Action Plan for Promoting the Introduction of Solar Power Generation, with the goal of increasing the installation of solar power generation facilities about 20-fold by 2020.

A key policy in this action plan is to increase installation in school facilities. In the FY 2009 supplementary budget, MEXT has included appropriations for the promotion of the School New Deal, a scheme intended to carry out school-related measures in an integrated manner, including the acceleration of renovation of school facilities to improve their earthquake-resistance, the “green” renovation of school buildings (e.g., by installing solar panels), and the improvement of the ICT environment at schools.

2. Objective of the conference

Following the Diet’s approval of the FY 2009 supplementary budget, the government has decided to organize this conference under the initiative of the MEXT Minister in order to urge local governments to set up projects under the School New Deal, such as projects to install solar power generation systems.

At the conference, the MEXT Minister, the METI Minister and the Minister of the Environment will explain to local government officials the necessity and importance of the policy and what kind of financial support will be provided for the implementation. The ministers will also ask these officials to carry out the School New Deal.

3. Convention on the School New Deal and the regional promotion of renewable energy

Following the School New Deal promotion conference, a convention on the School New Deal and the regional promotion of renewable energy will be held. The convention will focus on how to foster the green renovation of school buildings, including the installation of solar power generation systems and energy-efficient facilities, and the advancement of ICT at schools (the School New Deal) as well as on how local governments should facilitate the introduction of renewable energy (regional promotion of renewable energy).

At the convention, representatives of local governments and boards of education, the environment and energy-related department officials, and companies engaged in the installation of solar power generation systems and energy-efficient facilities will gather for each region, and deepen their understanding of means and methods of introducing solar power generation to school facilities. The government expects that this will facilitate the implementation of the School New Deal at schools throughout the country and further regional efforts to adopt renewable energy.

Release Date

June 2, 2009

Division in Charge

Policy Planning Division, Energy Conservation and Renewable Energy Department, Agency for Natural Resources and Energy

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