There are three categories for greenhouse gases (GHG) emitted during the course of business activities: Direct emissions from use of energy (SCOPE 1), Indirect emissions from energy use (SCOPE 2) and Indirect emissions other than from energy use (SCOPE 3). GHG emissions cannot be easily measured, so we concentrate on energy use and reducing energy consumption.
Results of Efforts to Reduce Greenhouse Gases and Energy Consumption
In FY2018, the amount of GHG emitted by the entire group decreased by 3,000 t-CO2e compared to FY2017. Specifically, the sites in Japan decreased their emissions to 188,000 t-CO2e from 194,000 t-CO2e in FY2017, while the sites outside Japan increased to 306,000 t-CO2e from 303,000 t-CO2e in FY2017 (see G1).
The amount of energy used by the entire Group increased by 3,000 kL compared to FY2017. Specifically, the sites in Japan increased their usage to 95,000 kL from 94,000 kL in FY2017, while the sites outside Japan increased to 131,000 kL from 129,000 kL in FY2017 (see G2).
Energy usage is broken down into 92% for SCOPE 2 and 8% for SCOPE 1 (see G3).
Improvement in energy intensity, which we aim to achieve in the medium term environmental target, was 19.8% in FY2016 and FY2018 on average (see G4).
We will continue to review production processes with a focus on core products to further improve the production efficiency and lower energy usage.
- Note: Changes in the conversion factor have a major impact on GHG calculations, so the medium environmental targets were set according to energy consumption (crude oil equivalent), a factor that has measure able results.
- Note: GHG emissions are calculated using GHG Protocol factors (electricity by country).
- Note: GHG emissions in Japan have been corrected after reviewing the electricity-CO2 conversion factor.
G1: GHG Emissions
(calculated from total energy consumption)
G2: Energy Consumption
(crude oil equivalent)
G3: Breakdown of Energy Consumption
(crude oil equivalent)
G4: Average Energy Consumption Per Unit
(results compared to target)
Efforts on Indirect Emissions Other than from Energy Use (SCOPE 3)
In recent years, there has been a growing demand from our stakeholders to disclose information on SCOPE 3 emissions, in addition to information on SCOPE 1 and SCOPE 2 emissions. To meet this demand, we are working to obtain a clear picture of our SCOPE 3 emissions.
We have ascertained that our GHG emissions from purchased goods and services in FY2018 were 345,000 tons-CO2e (group), 7,608 tons-CO2e from commutes (domestic sites), 462 tons-CO2e from business trips (domestic sites), 5,651 tons-CO2e from disposal and processing of waste (domestic sites), and 39,517 tons-CO2e from transporting products (group).
We strive to reduce environmental effect on biodiversity while coexisting with nature, and we use the 3Rs (reduce, reuse, recycle) to reduce waste and make effective use of water resources.
Results of Reducing Waste
The amount of waste generated in FY2018 by the entire group increased to 23,300 t from 22,600 t in FY2017. This was caused by an increase in production volume and other factors (see G1).
The waste (including valuables) mainly consists of waste plastic, sludge, and waste oil (see G2).
The final amount of waste disposed of in Japan decreased to 3 t from 5 t in FY2017. The waste recycling rate, which we aim to improve in the medium term, was 99.9% (see G3).
The final amount of waste disposed of outside Japan decreased from 1,900 t in FY2017 to 1,800 t (see G4).
Improvement in waste generation per unit of production, which we aim to achieve in the medium-term environmental target, was 8.6% on average for FY2016 - FY2018 (see G5). The final amount of waste disposed of per unit of production was improved by 35.8% on average for FY2016 - FY2018 (see G6).
We will continue working to reduce waste volumes, boost in-house recycling rates, and recycle waste into resources at our overseas sites.
Resource Recycling Efforts
99.9% of the waste generated in the course of our business activities is recycled and reused as resources in society. However, we are also promoting efforts to reuse waste for the business activities of the Taiyo Yuden Group.
For solvent A, which is the most frequently used solvent in our business activities, 13% of the amount used is recycled waste solvent.
In addition, for reels that are used for packaging electronic parts, strict quality checks are performed and 14% of all the reels are recycled reels.
Results of Water Resource Efforts
The water usage of the entire group decreased from 4,581,000 m3 in FY2017 to 4,422,000 m3 in FY2018. Specifically, the sites in Japan decreased their usage to 1,709,000 m3 from 1,717,000 m3 in FY2017, while the sites outside Japan also decreased to 2,713,000 m3 from 2,864,000 m3 in FY2017 (see G7).
Improvement in water usage per unit of production, which we aim to achieve in the medium-term environmental target, was 20.6% on average for FY2016 - FY2018 (see G8).
The amount of recycled water was 1,203,000 m3.
G7: Water Use
G8: Average Water Use Per Unit
(results compared to target)