Environmental Conservation Agreement

　The Environmental Conservation Agreement, which is based on Article 150 of the Ordinance on the conservation, etc. of Yokohama City Living Environment, aims to ensure the effectiveness of measures related to the conservation by concluding an agreement with the relevant business operator regarding matters to be agreed upon by the business operator. Business sites that have concluded environmental conservation agreements have exchanged voluntary management targets with Yokohama City for items such as air pollution, water pollution, noise, vibration, etc., as well as greening and global warming countermeasures.

　After the war, Yokohama City reclaimed the coastal area, actively attracted companies, and formed an industrial zone. Industrial activities in the coastal area led to Japan's high economic growth, but also led to serious pollution. Opposition to pollution gradually increased, and petitions to the country and cities by residents' organizations continued.

　Yokohama City collected scientific data such as the health status of residents and future forecasts of air pollution, and based on this, repeated negotiations with businesses entering the coastal area to prevent pollution. In the weather condition survey, we analyzed the wind direction of Negishi Bay from Honmoku, and evaluated and verified the location of the factory.
　In December 1964, Yokohama City concluded a "Pollution Prevention Agreement" (currently an environmental conservation agreement) with the thermal power plant. In an era where local governments do not have regulations or authority on pollution sources, agreements exchanged with businesses on an equal footing promised businesses that are stricter than laws.
　Since then, Yokohama City has concluded similar contracts with many companies located in the coastal area, and has been working together to improve the environment. Efforts in which businesses and the government discuss the reduction of environmental impact from the planning stage were called the "Yokohama method", and became a pioneer in later environmental assessments.

　Although the living environment has been greatly improved, new environmental problems have arisen as urbanization progressed, and measures to be taken have spread to a wide range of fields, including the conservation of the global environment.
　In response to this situation, the Pollution Prevention Agreement has been expanded to include measures against global warming, greening, and waste, and has become an Environmental Conservation Agreement.
　Currently, Yokohama City has concluded environmental conservation agreements with 30 business sites located in the city (as of November 2022), and is promoting initiatives such as reducing environmental impact, greening and conservation on biodiversity.