AEON eco-store principles for the creation of energy efficient and sustainable policies in Bangkok retailer industry

Panel: Panel 5. Energy efficiency in industry

Authors:
Nao Tanida, UNEP-Tongji institute for environment and sustainable development
Mingjing Building, School of Environmental Science and Engineering
Tongji University, Shanghai, China

Abstract

Retailers in Bangkok, Thailand, are rapidly developing and have started to consume more and more energy and resources, pioneering retailering in other developing countries in South East Asia. Some of the biggest chain retailers in Bangkok are now trying to implement environmental management into their business in order to attract green-minded customers. However, most retailers are not willing to take steps at the cost of losing their economic benefits. This paper focuses on environmental management aiming to ensure triple benefits (minimizing resource use, economic benefits, and the abatement of CO ₂ emissions) based on the management system by AEON, which is one of the biggest Japanese retailers. AEON is known as the pioneer of eco-store and is also expanding its economic benefit simultaneously. The paper highlights the fact that one needs to have a longer term view instead of focusing on first-cost only (though it may be difficult to convince people to adopt life-cycle analysis when one is not sure about what the distant future holds for us). In this context, the paper will demonstrate the need for policy changes at the macro level to send the right signal to the concerned stakeholders in the country (as has been shown by the example of Thailand's creation of an Energy Conservation Fund which has allowed "Revolving Fund" to lend money at a preferential interest rate to those who are willing to implement energy saving technologies), and how the AEON eco-store principles can be developed into a suitable practice for the situation of Bangkok.