JT reducing emissions

Japan Tobacco Inc.’s long-term greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction target has been approved as a Science Based Target (SBT) by the Science Based Target initiative (SBTi), according to a note posted on the company’s website today.

SBTi is an international partnership between CDP (formerly the Carbon Disclosure Project), the UN Global Compact (UNGC), the World Resources Institute (WRI) and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) that mobilizes companies to set SBTs in the transition to a low-carbon economy.

‘Our approved target, developed in line with the Paris agreement on climate change, is to reduce absolute Scope 1 and Scope 2 GHG emissions by 32 percent and absolute Scope 3 Category 1 GHG emissions by 23 percent by 2030,’ the note said. ‘This journey towards a zero-carbon future will be achieved by reducing our energy usage, as well as increasing the proportion of electricity sourced from renewable sources, while constantly looking at innovative ways to achieve and exceed our target.’

“We are proud that SBTi has approved our target.” Chigusa Ogawa, senior vice president, sustainability management, was quoted as saying. “As a group, we strive to foster a sustainable environment for our business and for future generations. Climate change remains a key environmental challenge for us, as it can have a direct impact on our value chain and the society at large. As a global business, we recognize the opportunity – and the importance – to be part of the solution,” Ogawa added.

The JTI note said that the company had been strengthening its approach to reducing its environmental impact under the JT Group Long-Term Environment Plan 2020, which had been established in 2014.

‘In 2017, the initial target to reduce GHG emission by 20 percent was already achieved and exceeded – three years ahead of schedule,’ the note said. ‘Our new target approved as an SBT demonstrates our ongoing commitment to tackle climate-related issues.

‘We are now establishing the JT Group Environment Plan 2030, in which our SBT fits as one of the key targets.

‘Further details will be published in the JT Group Sustainability Report FY2018 which will be issued in May 2019.’