Japan Tobacco Inc. is one of the world’s tobacco giants with operations in 130 countries and more than 63,000 employees. JT manufactures and sells several of the most famous brands in the tobacco industry, including Winston, Camel, MEVIUS, LD cigarettes and so on. In addition, JT Group also devotes itself to the development and promotion of new harm reduced tobacco products. At present, there are many brands headed by Ploom of Japan Tobacco Inc.
Japan Tobacco Inc. released its latest Environmental Plan in May 2019, which sets out JT’s new goals up to 2030. This plan is an important part of JT’s sustainable business plan and will soon replace the current environmental protection plan 2020.
The main target areas and objectives of JT
Energy Saving and Gas Emission
Reduce greenhouse gas production, strive to achieve zero carbon emissions, abide by the Paris Agreement, and strive to address the issue of global climate change.
Goal 1: The proportion of renewable energy currently used will be 25%, which is expected to double by 2030 and eventually reach 100% by 2050.
Goal 2: JT plans to reduce 32% of greenhouse gases (including direct emissions from factories in the production of products, and greenhouse gases from indirect energy sources such as electricity, heat, and steam) consumed by companies, and 23% of greenhouse gases (non-tobacco products, such as product packaging) generated by purchasing other products and services in the supply chain.
Natural Resources
Work to protect the global water resources effectively, reduce the water consumption in the supply chain, and strengthen the risk management of water resources. Sustainable timber supply should be implemented to further protect forest resources.
Goal 1: Reduce drainage associated with the tobacco industry by 15%.
Goal 2: By 2020, scientifically assess the causes of deforestation and replace forest timber resources used in tobacco processing with renewable fuels
Waste Discharge
Reduce the environmental impact of business activities
Goal: Reduce waste discharged from tobacco production by 20%. By 2020, JT will be looking for suitable ways to use and handle materials such as plastics.
Chigusa Ogawa, Deputy Minister of sustainable management, said, “The new plan reflects changes in all aspects of our business: renewal of business models, expectations from society, and understanding of science and environmental protection. We look forward to realize it one day. Our new goals far exceed our current plans, while emphasizing that broader environmental issues not only mean changes in business behavior, but also demonstrate the core values of JT. Recently, we are very proud of the endorsement and support of the Scientific Based Targets Initiative, a global initiative launched by the World Wide Fund for Nature, the Center for Global Environmental Information Research, the World Resources Institute and four international non-governmental organizations of the United Nations Global Compact Organization. We will strive to achieve this goal and regularly confirm that the plan can involve wider society besides shareholders of JT.
JT Group launched its environmental protection plan for the first time in 2014 to mitigate the impact of enterprises on the environment. In 2017, JT achieved its original goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 20% three years ahead of schedule after implementation. However, how can JT achieve full use of new energy without generating any greenhouse gases by 2050 then finally become eco friendly? Let’s wait and see.
