环保面的工作开展
Reduction of GHG Emissions
In our Medium-Term Environmental Plan, we posted the target of reducing GHG emissions (from Kuraray sites) by 10% or 136,000 tons relative to 1990 by fiscal 2010. The major measures being taken to this end are: 1) promotion of energy conservation, 2) switch to clean fuel, and 3) introduction of new energy.
In fiscal 2008, GHG emissions from Kuraray sites came to 1,190,000 tons, down 120,000 tons from fiscal 2007.
This amount is 12.7% less than in fiscal 1990, and indicates that we more than met the 10-percent mediumterm target. The fiscal 2008 figure, however, includes the effect (76,000 tons) of reduced production accompanying the global economic crisis. The reduction attributable to more efficient utilization of energy, improved production processes, and other such steps came to 44,000 tons.
GHG Emissions
- * Emissions of overseas affiliated companies are totals beginning in FY2007
* Excluding CO2 emissions deriving from production
of activated carbon from coconut husks at domestic
affiliated companies beginning in FY2008 report.
Our affiliated companies purchase their entire supply of energy from outside sources. In fiscal 2008, GHG emissions deriving from energy were calculated at 48,000 tons in Japan and 549,000 tons in other countries, for a Group total of 1,787,000 tons (down 81,000 tons from fiscal 2007).
We are considering medium-term measures to mitigate global warming beginning in fiscal 2010 together with long-term targets on the Group level, while monitoring the course of negotiations now under way concerning a new international framework for a post-Kyoto Protocol.
Effects of Measures for GHG Reduction
All Kuraray sites produce on their premises almost all of the electrical power and steam they need. They implemented initiatives including promotion of energy conservation, switches from fuel oil to natural gas, and generation of power with biomass to reduce GHG emissions by 309,000 tons over the eight-year period of fiscal 2000-2008. This reduction is equivalent to 22.7% of the GHG emission level in fiscal 1990.
For fiscal 2009, we are attempting to achieve a further GHG emission reduction of 38,000 tons, mainly through improvement of production processes.
Cumulative GHG Emission Reductions
Breakdown of Energy Use by Type (Crude Oil Equivalent)
Reduction of Environmental Burden during Transportation
The amended Law Concerning the Rational Use of Energy contains the target of reducing the units of energy utilization by an average of 1% per year. To attain this target, Kuraray is taking various steps for more efficient transportation, including modal shifts*. In fiscal 2008, our CO2 emissions totaled 11,300 tons, for a decrease of 1,500 tons (11.4%) from fiscal 2007. Although the unit energy consumption* increased by 2%, we reduced it by 3.2% over the two-year period beginning in fiscal 2006, when the amended version of the aforementioned law went into effect.
- * Modal Shift
Switching mode of transportation from trucks to rail and sea transport which place less burden on the environment. - * Unit energy consumption
The prime unit of utilization of energy; it is used as an indicator for theimprovement in energy consumption in reports to the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. It is obtained by dividing the amount of energy used by the value closely related to the amount of energy used (sales in Kuraray’s case).
Education about Global Warming
In light of the increasing seriousness of the global warming problem, we held an environmental lecture for our executives in fiscal 2008. The lecture was entitled “Risks Associated with Global Warming and the Impact on Corporate Management”, and was delivered by Mr. Takejiro Sueyoshi of the United Nations Environmental Programme. Treating topics including response to global warming in various countries and future corporate strategy to combat GHG emissions, it served to deepen awareness of environmental problems.
The Kuraray Group RC* Convention held in July took global warming as its main theme. It included a presentation by the Global Warming Prevention Committee on the trend of and outlook for GHG emissions and cases of emission reduction in the Kuraray Group, and a special lecture by Ms. Atsuko Suzuki of the Environmental Business Agency with the theme of “Environmental Approaches in Corporate Activities”.
As for activities at each plant, employee families were encouraged to do environmental accounting in the home and to take part in environmental activities sponsored by local governments.
- * Responsible Care (RC) Activities
Responsible Care (RC) activities are those where corporations that handle chemical substances maintain the environment, safety, and health by taking responsibilities at all stages from development to production, use, and disposal of products, and disclose the content of these activities. Kuraray has participated in the Japan Responsible Care Council since it was established in 1995.
“Future Forest Planting”, an environmental preservation activity
Scene at the RC Convention
