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Environment
The Asahi Group relies on “the gifts of nature” to create its products and services while its business activities also have an impact on the global environment, including greenhouse gas emissions. Without responding to climate change, ensuring water resources, and preserving biodiversity, the Group will be unable to continue its business activities. The Asahi Group will reduce environmental burden, create more positive values for society, and pass “the gifts of nature” onto future generations by actively addressing a wide range of environmental issues.
Respond to Climate Change
Climate change, driven by global warming, is increasing extreme weather events such as droughts and floods, profoundly affecting people’s lives and various ecosystems around the world. The climate change poses a significant business risk that the Asahi Group cannot afford to overlook. Furthermore, a critical situation is emerging around the world that has been described as a ’global boiling‘ and requires an immediate response. The Asahi Group recognizes this issue as an unavoidable business risk and emphasizes the urgency of reducing CO2 emissions from our business operations and proactively addressing the challenges of climate change.
In an effort to address these issues, the Asahi Group has formulated “Asahi Carbon Zero” with the goal of achieving net zero CO2 emissions by 2040. Moreover, we have newly established our "Beyond Carbon Neutral" goals, targeting reduction of CO2 emissions not only within our value chains but also beyond our value chains for a low carbon society. To achieve these goals, we are driving a wide range of initiatives in collaboration with stakeholders.
Asahi Carbon Zero Medium and Long-term Goals for Climate Change
The Asahi Group has set medium and long-term goals with regard to climate change in the form of the “Asahi Carbon Zero” initiative.
With “Asahi Carbon Zero”, the Asahi Group aims to achieve net zero CO2 emissions in Scopes 1 and 2 and 3 by 2040, and reduce emissions by 70% for Scopes 1 and 2 and by 30% for Scope 3 by 2030. In addition, we have set an interim target of 40% reduction by 2025 in Scopes 1 and 2.
In order to achieve these targets, the Asahi Group is implementing various measures, including finalizing early-stage introduction of renewable energy, promoting decarbonization in fuel used at manufacturing processes, and the development and deployment of technologies related to carbon emissions reduction, absorption, and collection. We are also collaborating with our suppliers and partners as we seek to balance CO2 reductions in the value chain and preservation of the ecosystem.
We understand the critical need for decarbonization targets based on scientific evidence. Therefore, “Asahi Carbon Zero” has been certified by the Science Based Targets (SBT) initiative, an international initiative that certifies whether decarbonization targets are consistent with scientific evidence.
Our 2030 near-term target of “Asahi Carbon Zero” has been approved by SBT initiative in line with a 1.5°C (Scope 1 and 2) and a 2°C trajectory (Scope 3). In addition, we validated that our Scope 3 target is in alignment with a Well Below 2°C pathway. Furthermore, we are planning to get certification from the SBT initiative for our long-term target.
In October 2020, we joined RE100, becoming the first corporate group in the beverage industry in Japan. Moving forward, our commitment is to achieve 100% of electricity from renewable sources in all our operations by 2040—ten years in advance of our initial 2050 target established in 2022—and continue accelerate the introduction of renewable energy in the future.
The Target to Responding to Climate Change
by 2040
Reduce our CO2 emissions in Scope 1, 2, and 3 to Net Zero* (compared with 2019)
*Following the SBTi Net Zero definition (i.e. at least 90% CO2 emissions reductions and maximum 10% carbon removals)
Achievement
2020
2021
2022
Achievement Rate for Scope 1 and 2 (compared with 2019)
Activities Report on Responding to Climate Change
Utilizing the Power of Nature to Create Products
Using Renewable Energy
In order to accelerate initiatives aimed at achieving Asahi Carbon Zero, the Asahi Group is promoting the introduction and use of renewable energy.
By 2025, the Group aims to switch to renewable energy for the purchased electricity at all of its production sites in Japan as well as converting 62 of its 70 production plants (as of March 2022), including those overseas, which is approximately 90% of the total, to renewable energy.
Aiming for Carbon Neutrality at Breweries
Using Green Heat
Koninklijke Grolsch N.V (“Grolsch”) in the Netherlands concluded a contract with Twence Holding B.V., which supplies electricity, heat, and steam from biomass power, for the supply of thermal energy produced during generation, and began using green heat in 2022.
Creating New Models for Reducing CO2 Emissions
Developing New Clean Energy Models
In 2020, as a new model for reducing CO2 emissions, the Asahi Group began demonstration testing of power generation with solid oxide electrolysis cells (SOFCs) using biomethane gas from beer brewery wastewater at the Ibaraki Brewery of Asahi Breweries, Ltd.
Sustainable Packaging
At Asahi Group, Packaging plays a crucial role in delivering quality products to customers - protecting contents, providing durability for ease of transportation and communicating information. At the same time, reducing environmental impact caused by packaging is a critical issue to address to realize circular economy. Given its high environmental impact, we believe working on plastic is particularly important.
Within the field of packaging described in the Asahi Group Environmental Vision 2050, the Asahi Group describes a society free of packaging waste as what we would like the world to be like in 2050. In particular, we aim to achieve a world in which marine biodiversity is preserved by minimizing the use of resources to make packaging and helping to build a recycling-oriented society by reusing old packaging. For plastic packaging, based on our group goal “3R+Innovation”, we are working to make our packaging sustainable through reducing plastic weight, expanding use of recycled materials, and selling unlabeled products.
“3R+Innovation” Targets
Realize 100% utilization of materials for plastic containers that can be utilized effectively by 2025*1
Achieve a 100% conversion to eco-friendly materials for PET bottles by 2030*2
Examine the development of eco-friendly materials and sales methods that do not make use of plastic containers/packaging
* Targeted plastic containers: PET bottles, plastic bottles, caps used for PET and plastic bottles, certain plastic containers, and plastic cups (used for sales), etc.
*1 Effective use: Reusable, recyclable, compostable, thermal recyclable, etc.
Target companies: Asahi Breweries, Ltd., Asahi Soft Drinks Co., Ltd., Asahi Holdings (Australia) Pty Ltd., and Asahi Holdings Southeast Asia Sdn. Bhd.
*2 Eco-friendly materials: Recycled materials, biomass materials, etc.
Target companies: Asahi Soft Drinks Co., Ltd., Asahi Europe and International Ltd., Asahi Holdings (Australia) Pty Ltd., and Asahi Holdings Southeast Asia Sdn. Bhd.
The Target to Sustainable Packaging
by 2030
Achieve a 100% conversion to eco-friendly materials* for PET bottles by 2030
Eco-friendly materials: Recycled materials, biomass materials, etc.
Achievement
2021
2022
Achievement rate
Activities Report on Sustainable Packaging
Making Products Beneficial for Both the Environment and Users
Selling Unlabeled Products
Asahi Soft Drinks Co., Ltd. has been expanding sales of unlabeled products which have reduced the amount of plastic used for labels by eliminating labels from PET bottles. It also reduces the effort necessary to peel off labels for sorting when disposing of bottles, creating effortlessly eco-friendly products that increase convenience for customers while also taking account of environmental considerations.
Recycling a Responsibility for Companies Using a Lot of Plastic
Taking Initiatives to Increase Use of Recycled PET Bottles
The Asahi Group is promoting the use of eco-friendly materials, including recycled materials, as part of 3R + Innovation, the Group-wide goal for the problem of plastic. In particular, the Soft Drinks Business in Australia and Japan uses a lot of plastic containers and has expanded the introduction of recycled PET bottles.
Shifting from Disposable to “Repeated Reuse” to “Use and Eat”
Reducing Plastic Usage
Plastic containers that are casually discarded cause great damage not only to marine life but also to entire ecosystems. Plastic used for containers and packaging in particular is often discarded. We believe that helping to solve this issue which is faced by the entire planet is a mission the Asahi Group, which sells food and beverages, must fulfill.
Sustainable Agricultural Raw Materials
It goes without saying that agricultural products are essential for humanity. At the same time, environmental risks such as those stemming from climate change may greatly affect the yields or quality of agricultural raw materials. It is vital to give consideration to ecosystems, the environments of agricultural production areas, and the human rights of local communities.
The Asahi Group will build, for future generations, a mechanism to secure its agricultural raw materials without allowing them to be depleted. In this way, the Asahi Group pursues the sustainable procurement of raw materials to ensure that it is possible to preserve the valuable blessings of nature for future generations.
Activities Report on Sustainable Agricultural Raw Materials
Preserving the Blessings of Nature for the Next Generation
Analyzing Risk for Important Raw Materials
The Asahi Group promotes the establishment of mechanisms to ensure the stable supply of agricultural materials without depleting them in the future with the aim of realizing sustainable agricultural raw materials procurement that will preserve the valuable blessings of nature for the next generation.
Sustainable Water Resources
Today, population growth, economic growth, and drought due to climate change are causing water shortages on a global scale every year. Issues surrounding water resources are a common global social issue.
Water is an indispensable resource for the Asahi Group, which uses water as a raw material and also in manufacturing processes at its factories. To ensure that we can continue to make use of this precious resource for years to come, we are working to reduce water use, and to identify, respond to and mitigate water risks at our manufacturing sites. Furthermore, we are undertaking a wide range of measures in pursuit of our "Healthy Watersheds for People and Nature" goal.
The Target to Sustainable Water Resources
by 2030
Reduce intensity of water consumption of 3.2m³/kl or less by 2030
Achievement
m³/kl
2020
m³/kl
2021
m³/kl
2022
Results for intensity of water consumption
Activities Report on Sustainable Water Resources
Securing a sound water cycle in the Asahi Forest
Groundwater recharge at the Group-owned forest “Asahi Forest”
The Asahi Group implements appropriate forest management at the Group-owned forest “Asahi Forest” (Hiroshima Prefecture), contributing to freshwater resource preservation through enhanced groundwater recharge in the region. The amount of groundwater recharge in the Asahi Forest is greater than we use annually at our brewery operations in Japan. Actively engaging diverse stakeholders, we protect and conserve biodiversity in the Asahi Forest, and continue to contribute to the communities.
Recycling Water and Reducing Water Usage
Preserving Sustainable Water Resources
The water recycling facility at Carlton & United Breweries Pty. Ltd. (CUB)'s Yatala Brewery in Australia produces high-quality recycled water during the brewing process.
Other
Activities
Reduction of Waste and Prevention Pollution
With population increase and economic growth, the depletion of natural resources and environmental pollution due to an increase in waste have become serious problems. The Asahi Group promotes new uses for by-products leveraging its accumulated technologies and knowledge, while implementing initiatives to reduce waste and prevent pollution.
Biodiversity Conservation
With the degradation of the natural environment, biodiversity is being lost at an unprecedented speed. The Asahi Group recognizes the impact that its business activities have on biodiversity and aims to engage in its business activities with consideration for preserving it.