Opinion exchange: "Transition to zero-carbon society and economy" between Koichi Yamamoto, Minister of the Environment, and Yoshinori Yamashita

Yoshinori Yamashita, President and CEO of Ricoh Co., Ltd. had a meeting with Koichi Yamamoto, Minister of the Environment on April 21 to exchange opinion about the transition to zero-carbon society and economy. This meeting was an opportunity to explain about Ricoh's materiality and environmental goals announced on the same day to coincide with the 19^TH mid-term strategy which started from April 2017.

 

Comment from Mr. Yamashita:

Ricoh has announced new goals to strengthen its commitment to fostering sustainability in business and society. Ricoh has become the first Japanese company to join a global initiative, RE100*.

Comment from Mr. Yamamoto:

The advanced initiatives of Ricoh will surely give an impact to other companies. Setting high goal and trying to achieve that will drive innovation in Japanese companies.

*About RE100

A collaborative, global initiative of influential businesses committed to 100% renewable electricity, working to massively increase demand for - and delivery of - renewable energy. Ricoh has committed to using a minimum of 30% renewable energy by 2030 and 100% by 2050.

Yoshinori Yamashita, President and CEO of Ricoh (Left) and Koichi Yamamoto, Minister of the Environment (Right)

Ricoh Group Environmental Declaration

We proactively reduce environmental impact and strive to improve the Earth's self-recovery capabilities to achieve a zero-carbon society and a circular economy through business.

Ricoh Group Environmental Goals

Global warming prevention area

Goals for 2050

•    Aim for zero GHG emissions (*1) across the entire value chain

Goals for 2030

•    GHG Scope 1, 2:  30% reduction(*2) compared to the 2015 level

•    GHG Scope 3: 15% reduction compared to the 2015 level (procurement, use, and logistics categories)

Resource Conservation area

Goals for 2050

•    Resource conservation rate for products (*3): 93%

Goals for 2030

•    Resource conservation rate for products: 50%

 

*1 Zero GHG emissions

The target is to minimize GHG emissions toward 2050 and offset emissions of GHG (Scope 1 and 2) by using socially accepted systems to achieve "net-zero emissions." Regarding emissions of GHG (Scope 3), the Company will take measures in areas where they can achieve reduction, such as development energy-saving products and cooperating with business partners to promote zero - carbon emissions across the value chain.

•    GHG Scope 1: All direct GHG emissions from the Company's own manufacturing plants, offices, vehicles etc.
•    GHG Scope 2: Indirect GHG emissions from the consumption of electricity and heat, purchased by the company
•    GHG Scope 3: Emissions in the supply chain of business activities (excludes GHG Scope 1 and 2)

*2 30% reduction

Represents the reduction levels, according to RCP2.6, which is a scenario to hold the increase in temperature, to well below 2 degrees Celsius in the future, as presented by the IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change).

*3 Resource conservation rate

Values are calculated by dividing the reduction in new resource inputs by the total resource inputs.