Acting on the foundation of its Approach to Sustainability (→P07), Canon works to protect and conserve the global environment in line with the Canon Group Environmental Charter and the Canon Environmental Vision.
Canon Group Environmental Charter
Canon Environmental Vision
We aim to achieve net-zero CO2 emissions for the whole product lifecycle (Scope 1-3)*1 by 2050.
Canon aims to consistently achieving the environmental targets of an average annual 3% improvement in the index of lifecycle CO2 emissions per product unit set in 2008, and realize a cumulative total 50% improvement by 2030. In addition, we aim to reduce absolute scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions 42% and absolute scope 3 GHG emissions (category 1 and 11) 25% by 2030 from a 2022 base year in line with the SBTi’s*2 criteria (The Science Based Targets initiative approves Canon's GHG emission reduction targets.).
To reach net zero CO2 emissions, we will rigorously improve efficiency throughout product lifecycles, further promoting energy efficiency in design, production, and distribution. Since 2008, Canon has consistently met its target of an average annual improvement of 3% for the index of lifecycle CO2 emissions per product unit. We will continue to build on this record of achievement going forward. We have moved ahead with the introduction of renewable energy mainly in Europe and Asia, and will continue to promote the strategic utilization of renewable energy in consideration of its availability and economic viability in each region. We will also seek to reduce CO2 emissions through advances in the recycling of resources. In addition to our own efforts, we will collaborate on initiatives with stakeholders throughout the value chain. Over the long term, we aim to incorporate the products of innovation to reduce CO2 emissions using various approaches, including the achievement of our SBT milestones. At the same time, by making a wide range of technologies and IT solutions available, Canon will not only reduce CO2 emissions in our own operations but also help lower CO2 emissions across society.
With a view to what we aim for in 2050 and 2030, we set Medium-term Environmental Targets in line with our three-year management plan, and we review the targets each year.
Canon sought a single integrated indicator to measure the progress achieved across all environmentrelated activities, from energy and resource conservation to recycling, and to also highlight the efficiency of these activities in terms of achieving a beneficial balance with business activities. We therefore established the index of lifecycle CO2 emissions per product unit, and set an overall target of achieving a 3% average annual improvement in the index as part of the Canon Group Medium-term Environmental Targets.
This overall target is subdivided into a product target and an operational site target. The product target is set at a 3% average annual improvement in the index of CO2 emissions per product unit associated with raw materials and product utilization. The operational site target includes target figures for reduction per basic unit in energy consumption, total waste emissions, water consumption and controlled chemical substance emissions. In this way, we will make continuous progress toward meeting our overall target.
