Combatting Climate Change
Relation to SDGs
Combatting Climate Change in Our Business Activities
Basic Concept
Climate change resulting from global warming is expected to have a wide range of effects on the ESPEC Environmental Test Business which is our main business and on the environmental preservation business operated by ESPEC MIC. We reviewed our Mid-Term Plan on the Environment in FY 2020 and changed the CO2 emissions target for business sites in Japan from the previous target for emissions per unit of sales to a target for reduction in total CO2 emissions. We are working to achieve a target of a 10% reduction in total CO2 emissions (compared to FY 2018) in FY 2021.
Program Overview
Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are identified and calculated for the emissions resulting from our business activities (SCOPE 1, SCOPE 2) and indirect emissions accompanying our business activities (SCOPE 3). Starting from FY 2019, we strengthened our program for expanding the range of GHG emissions calculation and improving the calculation accuracy, and in August 2020 submitted a voluntary declaration to the CDP*. In response to the international Science Based Targets (SBT) initiative, in May 2020 we committed to setting science-based GHG reduction targets within two years that can limit global warming to less than 2°C. In the future, we will carry out further energy-saving activities in our manufacturing processes and business sites, and study the active introduction of renewable energy. We will also work for further energy savings in our products, encourage suppliers to set reduction targets, and carry out activities for reducing GHG emissions throughout the supply chain.
* An international Non Governmental Organization (NGO) that investigates, evaluates, and discloses information about the environmental programs of corporations and other entities
■Greenhouse gas emissions and ratios in the value chain (consolidated)
Please scroll horizontally to look at table below.
* SCOPE 2 utilizes a market base.
Programs for Reducing Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions in Manufacturing Processes
ESPEC has been working to reduce GHG emissions in its manufacturing processes since 1996. In FY 2019, we completed the change to non-CFC foam heat insulation in all products produced at the Fukuchiyama Plant. This has reduced the previous annual GHG emissions of 121t (FY 2019 result) to zero.
Fluorocarbon Collection
Since FY1995, we have collected fluorocarbons when performing repairs and disposal operations. Based on the CFC Emissions Control Law, we are registered as a Type 1 CFC collecting business at municipalities throughout the country. The collected refrigerant fluorocarbons are rendered harmless through high-temperature plasma destruction at fluorocarbon destruction facilities. The recovered quantity amounts to approximately 69.4 tons (cumulative as of March 2020).
■ Collected quantity of fluorocarbon
Initiatives in Product Transportation
We are beginning a modal shift (utilization of rail transportation) in order to prevent global warming. Starting from Osaka, we are switching from trucking to freight for long-distance transportation to destinations such as Hokkaido, Tohoku, Kyushu, and Tokyo.
Use of Natural Energy at Business Sites
Solar power generating systems have been installed at the Fukuchiyama Plant (Training Center) and Kobe R&D Center (Testing Building). The amount of power generated at these two sites in FY 2019 was 144,342 kWh.
Fukuchiyama Plant Training Center (Fukuchiyama City, Kyoto Prefecture)
Now Using 70% Renewable Energy Throughout the Entire Group
In January 2020, we began switching over to renewable energy sources for the electricity used in our main offices in Japan. As of April 2021, approximately 70% of electric power used at all consolidated Group locations is now from renewable energy resources. As a result, we expect annual CO2 emissions (SCOPE 1 and 2) to be reduced by 48% for all consolidated Group locations and by 75% for Group locations in Japan (compared to FY 2019).
Providing Japan’s First Commissioned Testing Services Powered by 100% Green Electricity
In April 2021, we switched over to 100% renewable energy sources for the electricity used in our laboratories in Japan (Utsunomiya, Toyota, Kariya, Kobe, and the Battery Safety Testing Center). Providing Japan’s first commissioned testing services powered by 100% green electricity allows us to help customers reduce their CO2 emissions under SCOPE 3 Category 1 (purchased products and services). Reports for tests conducted at our testing laboratory bear the Green Power mark, indicating that the test was performed with no CO2 emissions. This mark is equivalent to the environmental label (ISO/JISQ14021) for self-declared environmental claims “Type II” established by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
Green Power mark
Changes in the Amounts of Energy Used (Consolidated*1)
Please scroll horizontally to look at table below.
| (Fiscal year) | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gasoline | 513㎘ | 596㎘ | 565㎘ | 646㎘ | 615㎘ |
| Kerosene | - | - | - | - | - |
| Diesel fuel | 10㎘ | 6㎘ | 32㎘ | 30㎘ | 26㎘ |
| LPG | 7t | 3t | 3t | 2t | 1t |
| City gas | 83,000 Nm³ | 111,000 N³ | 129,000 Nm³ | 126,000 Nm³ | 132,000 Nm³ |
| Natural gas | 88,000 Nm³ | 105,000 Nm³ | 117,000 Nm³ | 103,000 Nm³ | 157,000 Nm³ |
| Electricity | 20,742,000 kWh | 22,060,000 kWh | 22,502,000 kWh | 23,786,000 kWh | 24,838,000 kWh |
| Amount of the above obtained from renewable energy (including in-house solar power generation and Renewable Energy Certificate power) |
80,000 kWh | 105,000 kWh | 89,000 kWh | 106,000 kWh | 694,000 kWh |
Changes in Breakdown of Electricity Use (Consolidated※1）
Please scroll horizontally to look at table below.
(Units: 1,000s kWh)
| (Fiscal year) | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Purchased electrical power | Power not from Renewable Energy Certificate | 20,662 | 21,955 | 22,413 | 23,680 | 24,144 |
| Renewable Energy Certificate (biomass) | - | - | - | - | 590 | |
| Private power generation | Solar power generation | 86 | 111 | 94 | 112 | 111 |
| Power used | 20,742 | 22,060 | 22,502 | 23,786 | 24,838 | |
| Amount of the above obtained from renewable energy (including in-house solar power generation and Renewable Energy Certificate power) |
80 | 105 | 89 | 106 | 694 | |
- *1 Calculation range covers consolidated companies as of March 31, 2020. Calculation at 3 companies in the Japan group (ESPEC Test System Corporation, ESPEC Kyushu Corporation, and ESPEC MIC Corporation) started in FY 2016, so these companies are not included in the FY 2015 total.
- *2 The settlement period of overseas consolidated companies was an irregular period of 15 months in FY 2018, so the figures per unit of sales (reference value) for FY 2018 are calculated for sales assuming a settlement period of 12 months at overseas consolidated companies.