Asahi Group's Eight Plants in Japan to be Switched to Renewable Energy in April
Initiative rolled out to 29 of 33 plants in Japan, accelerating efforts to reduce CO2 emissions toward “Asahi Carbon Zero”.
Asahi Group Holdings, Ltd.
(Tokyo, Japan — March 30, 2022) Asahi Group Holdings, Ltd. announces that it will switch to renewable energy sources for power purchased for eight plants in Hokkaido, Hokuriku, Chubu, and Chugoku regions in Japan, starting April 1.
■ 8 plants covered:
- Asahi Breweries, Ltd.: Hokkaido Plant (Sapporo, Hokkaido), Nagoya Plant (Nagoya, Aichi)
- Nikka Whisky Distilling Co., Ltd.: Hokkaido Plant Yoichi Distillery (Yoichi, Hokkaido)
- Asahi Soft Drinks Co., Ltd: Hokuriku Plant (Shimo-Niikawa, Toyama), Okayama Plant (Soja, Okayama)
- Asahi Group Foods, Ltd.: Okayama Plant (Asakuchi, Okayama), Wako Food Industry Co., Ltd. (Nagano City, Nagano), Nippon Freeze Drying Co., Ltd. (Azumino, Nagano)
As of December 2021, 21 of the Asahi Group‘s plants in the Tohoku, Kanto, and Kansai regions*1 had already switched to renewable energy, and this switch will bring the total to 29 of the company‘s 33 plants in Japan. This will bring the amount of electricity purchased from renewable energy sources for all Asahi Group sites in Japan to approximately 79% (251 GWh), reducing annual CO2 emissions by 114,000 tons. The Asahi Group is stepping up its initiatives aimed at achieving “RE100”*2 and “Asahi Carbon Zero,”*3 and is working to make the electric power purchased at all sites in Japan renewable by 2025. In addition, we expect that 62 of our production bases, including those outside Japan, will be converted to renewable energy by 2025, representing approximately 90% of our total of 70 plants (as of March 2022).
The renewable energy that we are buying will be purchased through Hokkaido Electric Power Company Co., Inc. (Hokkaido), Chubu Electric Power Miraiz Co., Inc. (Chubu), and Kansai Electric Power Co., Inc. (Hokuriku and Chugoku). The purchased electric power is credited with environmental value (non-fossil certificates*4 with tracking, etc.) generated by renewable energy power plants, etc.
The Asahi Group has set out “contributing to a sustainable society through our business” as one of the principles of the Asahi Group Philosophy. Moreover, the Asahi Group Environmental Vision 2050 sets the medium- to long-term CO2 emissions reduction target “Asahi Carbon Zero” as a response to climate change, aiming to achieve zero CO2 emissions by the year 2050.
In order to meet “Asahi Carbon Zero,” the entire Asahi Group is working to actively utilize renewable energy at production bases across the world and promote energy conservation through such measures as revising manufacturing processes and improving logistics efficiency. The Group is also actively pursuing research and development, including demonstration tests of fuel-cell-based power-generation system using biomethane gas derived from wastewater and CO2 separation and recovery testing equipment.
In addition to becoming the first company in the Japanese beverage industry to participate in RE100 in October 2020, the “Asahi Carbon Zero” target was certified as a 1.5℃ target by the SBT (Science Based Targets) initiative.*5
With the aim of integrating sustainability into its management, Asahi Group has been working on group-wide sustainability by building a global promotion structure and setting targets. Working to make the one and only future shine, we have defined “Cheer the Future” as our promise to the world of tomorrow. As such, we will contribute to a sustainable society through our business.
- Asahi Breweries, Ltd.: Fukushima, Ibaraki, Kanagawa and Suita plants; Nikka Whisky Distilling Co., Ltd.: Hirosaki, Sendai, Tochigi, Kashiwa, and Nishinomiya plants; Asahi Soft Drinks Co., Ltd.: Gunma, Fujisan, Fuji Yoshida, Akashi, and Rokko plants; Asahi Group Foods, Ltd.: Ibaraki, Tochigi Sakura, Tochigi Koganei, and Osaka plants; Asahi Beer Malt, Ltd.: Koganei and Yasu plants; Asahi Biocycle Co., Ltd.: Gunma plant
- RE100 is an international initiative aimed at making 100% of the electric power used in business activities sourced from renewable energy by the year 2050.
- “Asahi Carbon Zero” is the Asahi Group‘s medium- to long-term target for reducing CO2 emissions. It aims to achieve zero CO2 emissions in Scope 1, Scope 2, and Scope 3 by 2050. The 2030 target is a 70% reduction in CO2 emissions in Scope 1 and 2 (relative to 2019) and a 30% reduction in CO2 emissions in Scope 3 (relative to 2019).
- These are certificates that represent the value of electricity generated from non-fossil power sources, such as solar power, and include tracking information such as the type of power source and the location of the power plants.
- A joint initiative established by the CDP (formerly the Carbon Disclosure Project), the UN Global Compact, the World Resources Institute (WRI), and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) to address the problems caused by increasing greenhouse gas emissions. The initiative encourages companies to set reduction targets consistent with scientific knowledge toward the goal of limiting the average global temperature increase from climate change to 1.5℃ above pre-industrial levels.
About Asahi Group Holdings
Asahi Group Holdings, Ltd. is a global leader offering a diverse collection of brands centered on beer, alcohol and non-alcohol beverages, and food. Our mission is to deliver on our great taste promise and bring more fun to life. Established in Japan in 1889, the Group has always been committed to innovation and quality. This dedication has brought together iconic brands and the expertise of renowned breweries from around the world, including those with a rich heritage spanning over centuries. Our approach has culminated in a globally recognized portfolio of brands that includes premium beers such as Asahi Super Dry, Peroni Nastro Azzurro, Kozel, Pilsner Urquell, and Grolsch. “Make the world shine” articulates Asahi Group’s commitment to build connections among people, thereby paving the way for a sustainable future together. Through these connections, we can contribute to a brighter world, both today and in the future. With a global presence primarily in Japan, Europe, Oceania, and Southeast Asia, we provide over 10 billion liters of beverages to consumers worldwide and generate revenues of over JPY 2.7 trillion annually. Headquartered in Japan, Asahi Group Holdings is listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange (Prime Market: 2502.T).