Sumitomo Rubber Sets 2030 Targets to Achieve Carbon Neutrality Throughout the Supply Chain
Nov. 28. 2023
We will accelerate initiatives to achieve carbon neutrality throughout the supply chain in line with the Long-Term Sustainability Policy: “Driving Our Future Challenge 2050.”*4
■ Reduction of Scope 3 emissions
With Scope 3 emissions accounting for about 90% of Sumitomo Rubber Group’s greenhouse gas emissions, the Group has set the 2030 targets that cover almost all Scope 3 emissions in order to achieve carbon neutrality throughout the supply chain.
In “Material Development and Procurement,” we aim for a 25% reduction (compared with the 2021 level) by 2030 through utilization of sustainable materials and strengthening of supplier engagement, while in “Logistics,” we aim for a 10% reduction (compared with the 2021 level) by 2030 mainly through promotion of modal shift. In “Sales and Usage” and “Recovery and Recycling,” we take actions, including reducing tire rolling resistance, extending tire life, and enhancing retread tire production capacity. We aim to achieve targets by promoting initiatives stated in the “Driving Our Future Challenge 2050” and the “TOWANOWA"*5,which is a business model designed to support a circular economy, in each process.
Each process mentioned above corresponds to the Scope 3 category in the greenhouse gas(GHG)protocol as shown below.
|
Process |
Material Development and Procurement |
Logistics |
Sales and Usage |
Recovery and Recycling |
|
Scope 3 Category in GHG Protocol |
Category 1 |
Category 4 |
Category 11 |
Category 12 |
■ Reduction of Scope 1 and 2 emissions
In 2021, we set a target of a 50% reduction(compared with the 2017 level) by 2030. Because we have been able to reduce emissions ahead of schedule thanks to active efforts at each base, we raise the target to a 55% reduction (compared with the 2017 level) by 2030. The introduction of power generation with renewable energy sources at tire factories in China and Thailand *6*7 contributed greatly to the reduction. We continue to make these efforts to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.
The Sumitomo Rubber Group will accelerate initiatives aimed at achieving carbon neutrality throughout the supply chain and a circular economy, and thereby contribute to the development of a sustainable society.
*1 Direct greenhouse gas emissions from operators themselves
*2 Indirect emissions associated with the use of electricity supplied by other companies
*3 Indirect emissions other than Scope 1 and 2 emissions (emissions from other companies related to the activities)
*4 Long-Term Sustainability Policy: “Driving Our Future Challenge 2050”
*5 A Circular Economy Concept for the Tire Industry: TOWANOWA
*6 Sumitomo Rubber Group Achieves Shift to 100% Renewable Energy to Meet the Electric Power Needs of Tire Factories in China (News Release Issued January 18, 2022)
*7 Transitioning to Carbon-Free Electric Power at Sumitomo Rubber (Thailand) (News Release Issued February 21, 2023)