Canon is committed to be carbon net zero by 2050

Goals and Renewables

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Contributing to a low carbon future

Canon is working towards the reduction of CO₂ emissions throughout its business

We are all experiencing the devastating impact of climate change on our planet, most notably, through a global increase of natural disasters caused by extreme weather events. This is a critical time for everybody to act.

Our aim is to protect the global environment by reducing the impact of our products. We are focused on reducing our CO₂ emissions from the procurement and use of raw materials and parts through to operational site activities and logistics.

Becoming carbon net zero

We are committed to becoming carbon net zero by 2050.

“Net-zero” is achieved when the amount of carbon we add to the atmosphere is no more than the amount removed.

To meet this target, we are actively reducing our greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. We quantify our emissions during the whole product lifecycle to reduce emissions at every single stage.

Our target is to reduce our product lifecycle CO₂ emissions per product by 3% year on year. If sustained, it will equate to roughly a 50% reduction in emissions from 2008 levels by 2030.

Currently, we are on track to achieve this target, having recorded an average improvement of 4.1% between 2008 – 2022. The cumulative reduction since 2008 amounts to 43%.

Externally validating our targets

We’ve made considerable progress on this target and others set across our business since 2008. Our commitment has never wavered. We always carry out regular reviews on our long-term targets to check our contributions are in line with our aim of contributing to a low carbon society and achieving net zero by 2050.

It’s not enough to just look at our own projections and contributions, but to have targets that are developed in line with the latest climate science and what is necessary to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement. We have validated our short term absolute targets through the SBTi (Science Based Targets initiative). We aim to reduce absolute scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions 42% and absolute scope 3 GHG emissions (category 1 and 11) 25% by 2030 from a 2022 base year in line with the SBTi’s criteria.

Understanding the figures behind our targets

Canon applies both intensity and absolute targets to its business.

Our intensity target is a reduction specifically focused on our product lifecycle. We set a target for a 50% reduction in our CO₂ emissions by 2030 compared to 2008 levels throughout the product lifecycle. By this we mean how our products are designed, manufactured, shipped and through customer use.

An absolute target considers total emissions of a business, such as our offices, transportation used by our employees, how we power and operate our production sites and also through our supply chain.

In order to be considered for SBTi validation, we must include an absolute target with a baseline figure of no earlier than 2015 for total organisation emissions.

We aim to reduce absolute scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions 42% and absolute scope 3 GHG emissions (category 1 and 11) 25% by 2030 from a 2022 base year in line with the SBTi’s criteria.

Our reduction actions and overall targets have not changed, and we are still as committed as ever to reduce our impact on the environment and to reach net zero by 2050.

Recognition in the CDP A- list

For 2023, Canon has been awarded an A score for climate change by CDP, the third time we have been included on their highest-ranking A list and placing us in the top 2% of companies assessed in this category.

The CDP is an international environmental non-profit organisation which evaluates major companies and organisations worldwide on their efforts to tackle environmental issues.

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Switching to renewable energy

82% of our electric power in Europe is generated from renewable sources

We are using renewable energy in our European operations as much as possible and continue to increase our use of renewable sources to reduce the CO₂ emissions.

In 2021, 45% of our total energy needs in Europe was from electric power. And of that, 82% was generated from renewable sources. Our manufacturing site in Poing, Germany, uses 100% renewable energy.

Our new EMEA headquarters and UK& Ireland headquarters have obtained BREEAM* Excellent ratings for its energy efficient design and use of renewable energy. The new BMS system and PV panels on the roof have seen the building achieve an almost 50% reduction in energy consumption.

Our building in Venlo, Netherlands uses a heat pump system, efficient storage systems for hot and cold water, and LED lighting to reduce its energy consumption. We also have solar panels and charging points for electric vehicles at both sites.

We aim to make use of the most of renewable energy as an effective energy source as we progress towards achieving net-zero CO₂ emissions by 2050.

Goals and Renewables

Sustainability Report

Read our latest annual sustainability report

Protecting and Conserving the Environment

Steps we are making to protect our environment and contribute towards a greener world

Renewable Energy

Our continued efforts to expand our use of renewable energy