What Environmental Actions Can Only University Co-ops Achieve? National Environment Seminar 2026 (Online) Held

Amidst growing interest in climate change and resource circulation, university co-ops, as one of the most accessible organizations to students, are tasked with creating spaces to learn about environmental issues and translate them into action. On June 4, 2026, the National Federation of University Co-operative Associations held the 'National Environment Seminar 2026 (Online),' attended by 86 participants from 20 member co-ops. Participants deepened their understanding of the significance and potential of environmental activities that can only be realized through university co-ops.

## Event Name
National Environment Seminar 2026 (Online)

## Date & Time
June 4, 2026 (Thu) 18:00-20:00

## Venue
Online (Zoom)

## Organizer
National Federation of University Co-operative Associations

## Number of Participating Co-ops and Participants
20 member co-ops, 86 participants

## Goals
1. Learn the significance of university co-ops engaging in environmental activities and consider activities that reach members.
2. Empathize with the significance of environmental initiatives at each university co-op and gain a sense of participating in environmental activities.

## To Make Environmental Activities Personal: Reflections from Student Committee Organizers
Group work focused on raising issues and exchanging impressions, centered on 'the significance of university co-ops conducting environmental activities.' Additionally, a lecture was given by Mr. Taniguchi from the Food Service Division of the University Co-op Business Federation, who discussed the promotion of environmental activities in the unique field of university co-ops through the connection between food business and environmental initiatives. This online seminar was structured around the significance of university co-op engagement in environmental issues.

During sessions to deepen learning, participants encountered much new information, and during exchange segments, they communicated based on the current situation at their own universities.

'National Environment Seminar 2026' includes both online and in-person sessions; the online seminar focused on inputting knowledge to conduct environmental activities. Furthermore, in-person seminars are set up as practical programs to further improve environmental efforts. Through the National Environment Seminar 2026 implemented in two formats, we are building a foundation for everyone to engage in environmental activities!

## Participant Feedback
- I understood well that knowing about environmental issues comes first, and that the university co-op is an organization that can take the lead in informing university students about environmental activities.
- In my own seminar, I have been working on promoting horizontal recycling, and while using water bottles and eco-bags has become established in daily life, I struggled with how to expand this further. I hadn't had the chance to think about or verbalize the specific effects and significance of these actions, so this was a good opportunity.
- It was interesting to hear about environmental activities in university co-ops from both the student and faculty/staff perspectives!
- I learned that university co-ops are not just conducting environment-friendly activities, but are also thinking about the better lives of their members. Some environmental activities in the world are hard for students to approach, so I thought it is important to conduct environmental activities that students can feel are familiar.