Since October 2021, Tobu Railway, Tochigi Prefecture, and four other business providers have rolled out Japan’s first eco-friendly MaaS for tourism, “NIKKO MaaS” in the Nikko area of Tochigi Prefecture, and are promoting the use of public transportation.
In addition, since April 2022, Tobu Railway has replaced the equivalent amount of electricity used for railroad transportation in the Nikko/Kinugawa area, as well as for express trains running from central Tokyo to the area, with electricity derived from renewable energy sources. In FY2023, we replaced approximately 30.7 million kWh of electricity on an annual basis, resulting in a reduction of approximately 13,000 t-CO2 (equivalent to approximately 4,100 average households).
Furthermore, in the future, biofuel created by refining waste cooking oil generated at Tobu Group facilities in Tochigi Prefecture will be used in buses, etc., in the Nikko area, with the aim of creating a locally produced, locally consumed energy cycle.
By simultaneously promoting the transition to a decarbonized society and the revitalization of the region through the promotion of excursion tourism, we will strengthen the Nikko region’s brand as an “International Eco-Resort Nikko” and aim to become a role model for decarbonization efforts in tourist destinations.

In January 2024, we launched a demonstration test to replace some fuel (coal) for “SL Taiju” with biocoke derived from plant-based materials, with the aim of achieving carbon neutrality in the future. This is the first use of biofuel for a steam locomotive in Japan.
In this experiment, we replaced 40% of the fuel with biocoke in the fire retention work, where coal is constantly burned to maintain the pressure of and protect the steam locomotive boiler. We are verifying the feasibility of this fuel, including its combustion efficiency and impact on the boiler. At the same time, we have also replaced approximately 50% of the fuel (diesel oil) used in DL Taiju (diesel locomotive) with biodiesel fuel blended diesel oil “B5.”
We expect these efforts to reduce annual CO2 emissions at least 150 tons (equivalent to the annual CO2 emissions of approximately 50 households).
Based on the results of this experiment, we will consider full-scale operation, while also continuing experiments to increase the ratio of biofuel use in coordination with initiatives to create a “locally produced, locally consumed energy cycle,” in line with the aim of Tobu Bus Nikko, which will operate biofuel buses in the Nikko area in the future.

As part of measures against overtourism during the fall foliage season in Nikko, Tobu Bus Nikko operated express buses via the Nikko-Utsunomiya Road, avoiding spots with traffic congestion in downtown Nikko, on the bus route between the Lake Chuzenji area, a major fall foliage spot, and Tobu Nikko Station, for a total of 20 days in October and November 2024. We conducted this initiative to reduce CO2 emissions in support of the efforts of Nikko City in Tochigi Prefecture to promote decarbonization through the active use of public transportation, following its enactment of the "Nikko City Ordinance for Achieving a Zero Carbon City through Community Circulation” in March 2024, in response to congestion in downtown Nikko, which has long been an issue. In addition, the Tobu Group promoted peak shift measures, such as the off-peak operation of the Lake Chuzenji Pleasure Boat and the Akechidaira Ropeway early in the morning, and the operation of night trains that arrive at Tobu Nikko Station early in the morning and special limited express trains. Through collaboration between the public and private sectors on these efforts to create sustainable tourist destinations and take measures against overtourism, we aim to maximize the tourism value of “International Eco-Resort Nikko.”

In the Railway Business, Tobu Railway has been striving to reduce the emission of CO2 through energy-saving vehicles and equipment and efficient operation. By continuing to make systematic reductions, we expect to achieve a reduction of approximately 50% by 2030, exceeding the government’s greenhouse gas reduction target of 46% (compared with FY2013).

On-board data monitoring equipment has been installed on vehicles since 1997 and is mainly used for maintenance purposes. Since 2016, we have been able to transmit a variety of on-board data from running trains in real time, and instantly acquire, accumulate, and analyze detailed data.
The collected on-board data, such as occupancy rate, cabin temperature, operating speed, power consumption, and equipment status, are analyzed and utilized to optimize train operation diagrams and promote energy-saving operations.

• * Remote: Remote monitoring of train to use effectively

A regenerative braking system uses the main electric motor as a generator and supplies the generated power to other trains running (accelerating) nearby through pantographs and overhead wires resulting in braking by rotational resistance in power generation as load.
The energy that used to be discarded as heat can now be effectively utilized. Trains equipped with a VVVF controller in recent years can easily incorporate a regenerative braking system.

Aluminum alloy is lighter than other metals, so trains can run with less power consumption than ones with conventional steel bodies.

We are trying to reduce the amount of electricity consumed by replacing conventional fluorescent lighting with LED lighting inside the vehicles.

TOBU icourt (Dokkyo University-Mae), a commercial facility that opened in March 2023, is based on the concept of a place that offers everyone a "comfortable lifestyle" that satisfies the five senses of body and mind. The property generates approximately 10% of its annual electricity consumption through on-site power generation using approximately 980 rooftop solar panels.
This is the second property to receive the 3-star BELS certification, a third-party certification system that indicates the energy-saving performance of buildings, after the “Tobu Zoo Station West Exit Commercial Facility,” which opened in September 2021.
The "Tobu Zoo Station West Exit Commercial Facility" received the highest rating of 5 stars for its in-house power generation using solar panels, which accounts for approximately 1/3 of the facility’s electricity consumption and is environmentally friendly as a green building.

• * BELS: Building-Housing Energy-efficiency Labeling System

TOKYO SKYTREE TOWN, which is operated by both Tobu Railway and Tobu Tower Skytree, was certified as a “Top-level Business Site” under the Tokyo Metropolitan Ordinance on Environmental Preservation in 2017 and 2021, and the operation is ongoing. This accreditation is based on the Tokyo Metropolitan Ordinance on Environmental Preservation, which stipulates the “obligation to reduce total greenhouse gas emissions and the emissions trading system,” and certifies business establishments that have made outstanding efforts in all evaluation items (at the time of accreditation) related to carbon dioxide reduction management systems and building/facility performance stipulated by Tokyo Metropolitan Government.
In March 2022, the “Center Plant” of Tobu Group Nishi Ikebukuro Heat Supply was again accredited as a “Semi-top Level Business Site,” and the “TOKYO SKYTREE District Heat Supply Facility” operated by Tobu Energy Management was again accredited as “Top-level Business Site” in March 2021 and continues to operate.

In February 2012, TOKYO SKYTREE EAST TOWER^®, located in TOKYO SKYTREE TOWN^®, received the highest rank of DBJ Green Building certification, “Platinum 2012” (a top-class building in Japan with outstanding “environmental and social considerations”).
The building was highly commended as having (1) excellent environmental performance based on the latest technologies, such as rainwater harvesting, solar power generation systems, and the use of geothermal heat for air conditioning, (2) high disaster prevention performance through the installation of an emergency power supply for long-hour operation, in addition to advanced vibration control devices, and (3) in conjunction with the commercial facility “Tokyo Solamachi^®,” a design that takes into consideration the history and culture of the Oshiage area, and a community bus stop and other initiatives that contribute to the local community.

In February 2024, Tobu Energy Management, Nishi-Ikebukuro Heat Supply, and Kinshicho Heat Supply, three heat supply companies for the Tobu Group, were certified as “low-carbon heat” suppliers under the Tokyo Metropolitan Ordinance on Environmental Preservation.
Under the “obligation to reduce total greenhouse gas emissions and the emissions trading system,” businesses with a low CO2 emission factor (CO2 emissions per unit of electricity or heat supplied) are certified for each fiscal year.
The CO2 emission factor of the TOKYO SKYTREE District Heat Supply Facilities is approximately 40% lower than the standard CO2 emission factor for heat supply facilities designated by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, due to introduction of high-efficiency heat source equipment and large-capacity water storage tanks, and we have made it one of the top-class facilities in Tokyo.

TOBU ENERGY MANAGEMENT is engaged in the solar power business to promote measures to reduce environmental impact and contribute to the creation of a sustainable, vibrant, low-carbon, recycling society.
The estimated annual CO2 reduction from solar power generation is approximately 4,900 tons (equivalent to approximately 1,500 average households).

< Conservation and utilization of company-owned forests >
Forests have a variety of functions, such as land conservation, recharging of water resources, prevention of disasters, and conservation and formation of biodiversity. In particular, the function of absorbing CO2 plays a major role in preventing global warming.

Tobu Railway appropriately maintains and manages company-owned forests in Tochigi, Gunma and other prefectures. The company-owned forests in Utsunomiya, Tochigi Prefecture, have acquired offset credit certification for the amount of CO2 absorbed by thinning in cooperation with the local forestry cooperative. The acquired credits are used for offsets, etc., for the CO2 emissions generated by the activities of the Tobu Group and other companies and organizations.