Simulation of household factor X in Japan

Abstract

While each home appliance is being improved in terms of eco-efficiency now, the increasing number and size of such products in the home might increase the environmental impact as a whole. So factor X on home appliances at a household with regard to both the 'prevention of global warming' and 'effective utilization of resources' (hereafter called household factor X) in 2003 comparing to 1990 in Japan was simulated using independently developed "Factor X Tool 2001". This is the first attempt anywhere in the world to perform such a calculation. The results are the GHG factor of 1.9 and the resource factor of 1.2 on a household. Although based on a restricted simulation model, these results could show the potential for realizing a "sustainable society" that involves the reduction of environmental impact at the same time as improving quality of life.