Japan: Cool Biz workplace programme

Lighter clothing, lower air-conditioning demand

Japan's Cool Biz strategy encourages offices to relax dress codes in summer so workers can stay comfortable with less air conditioning: a behaviour-change programme replicated across sectors and cities.

What you can do

• Propose Cool Biz guidelines at your workplace or co-working space
• Pair dress-code shifts with fan circulation and shaded outdoor break areas
• Share annual Cool Biz participation stats to normalise the practice

How to participate

• Adapt Japan's Cool Biz toolkit for your organisation's culture and climate
• Coordinate with local business associations to run a neighbourhood Cool Biz week

Why it matters

Small collective norms (open collars, no tie in summer) cut peak electricity demand without expensive hardware.

Source & repost

Shared here so you can get inspired or find action already happening near you. Solarpunker does not own or organise it.

Source: IEA, Best Practices and Insights to Expand Clean Energy Access and Adoption (2025). CC BY 4.0. Paraphrased for local discovery by Solarpunker.