Reducing of CO₂ Emissions at Our Sites and Supply Chain

Sapporo Group Basic Environmental Philosophy

In accordance with our management philosophy “As an intrinsic part of people's lives, Sapporo will contribute to the evolution of creative, enriching and rewarding lifestyles,” the Sapporo Group is committed to ensuring that each and every one of its employees strives to protect the global environment and acts proactively to create a sustainable society throughout the entire lifecycles of the products and services that the Group provides in all of its business fields.

Promotion of global warming prevention by incorporating unused energy sources

Developments in waste heat (unused energy source) collection, which had not been applied up to this point, are progressing and being effectively applied as a heat source for beer brewing processes and other processes to reduce environmental impact (waste water treatment). Energy formerly used for activities such as heating water have been reduced by applying unused energy sources including heat from beer fermentation and waste heat from boiling processes, combustion, equipment, and waste water treatment.

Example of systems installed in factories

Incorporation and development of new technologies

At Sapporo Breweries, we are working to reduce the amount of fuel and electricity used at our plants by increasing the efficiency of utility facilities* used in the beer production process and reducing operational losses through a review of the volume control system.

* Boilers, refrigerators, compressors, cogeneration systems, heat pumps, etc.

Ozone layer protection and suppression of fluorocarbon

Sapporo Breweries is actively moving forward with environmentally-friendly measures in freezing facilities for beer manufacturing processes. With the aim of protecting the ozone layer and curbing global warming, we began switching refrigerants in the refrigeration equipment used in the beer manufacturing process in 2018, and are replacing some of the refrigeration facilities with equipment that uses low-GWP refrigerants or natural refrigerants. Furthermore, equipment inspections are regularly made under the Fluorocarbon Emissions Control Act to ensure legal compliance.

Initiatives to improve transportation efficiency

Since the 2000s, the Sapporo Group has been promoting the joint transportation of goods with companies inside and outside the industry, working to reduce environmental impact through improved vehicle loading rates and reduction in the number of vehicles.

In a recent example, we began joint transportation with NISSIN FOOD PRODUCTS CO., LTD. in March 2022 to carry a combination of beer and instant noodles.

On the Shizuoka-Osaka route, we achieved "round transportation" by carrying mixed products from both companies on the outbound route, and recycled empty containers and pallets on the return route.

This transportation will achieve a 100% loading ratio and reduce CO₂ emissions by approximately 10 tons per year compared to the previous method.

Suzuyo Co., Ltd. and six other companies jointly received the highest award, the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Award, at the "FY2022 Green Logistics Partnership Excellent Company Award" for their efforts in collaborative transportation. By setting up relay points in the long-distance transportation section and combining driver switches and ferry transportation to the relay points, they were able to improve the working environment for drivers. In addition, it is expected that the reduction in the number of vehicles used will lead to a reduction in CO₂ emissions of approximately 299 tons annually compared to the conventional method.

In December 2019, we started joint transportation on the Okayama-Kyushu route with Ebara Foods Industry, Inc. and Japan Pallet Rental Corp.
In the past, each company had to arrange for a one-way vehicle, but through this joint transportation, the loading ratio has been improved while securing stable trunk line transportation.
In addition, CO₂ emissions have been reduced by approximately 15 tons per year compared to the previous method.

Initiatives to improve transportation efficiency

Promotion of modal shift

Sapporo Breweries promotes a modal shift, which is to switch distribution methods from trucks to trains and marine transportation, which results in less CO₂ emission. The company has been certified by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism as a company that is committed to environmentally friendly rail freight transportation, and was the first in the beer industry to receive the “Eco-Rail Mark” in 2006.

In April 2018, four companies (Sapporo Breweries, Ltd., Asahi Breweries, Ltd., Kirin Brewery Company, Limited, and Suntory Beer Limited) began joint transportation between Kansai, Chugoku, and Kyushu.
As for new initiatives in marine transportation, we are implementing a modal shift to marine transportation between Chiba and Osaka from November 2019 by using RORO ships*.

* RORO ship is a vessel in which a truck or chassis (cargo bed) carrying cargo is boarded and transported.

In July 2020, we switched from truck transportation to marine transportation using coastal vessels between the Sapporo Vietnam Long An Plant in southern Vietnam and northern Vietnam (a distance of approximately 1,600 km). We estimate that this will reduce CO₂ emissions by about 450 tons per year, and we are working to reduce our environmental impact.

“Green Management Certification” acquired

SAPPORO LOGISTICS SYSTEMS CO., LTD has acquired "Green Management Certification" for its head office and offices, and has also been satisfying certificate renewal criteria every two years since 2008 (certification registration has been completed in May 2020).

SAPPORO LOGISTICS SYSTEMS CO., LTD has been certified and registered for satisfying all items in the Green Management Certification Standards of “Implementing structures/systems for environmental conservation,” “Implementing eco-driving,” “Incorporating low-emission vehicles,” “Vehicle inspection and maintenance,” “Promotion of recycling, proper disposal and disposal control of waste and vehicle scrap,” and “Promotion of environmental conservation in the management department (office).”

Products labelling their carbon footprint

In 2004, for the first time in the industry, Sapporo Breweries implemented LCA based on ISO14040 to quantitatively assess the utilized resources and emission of greenhouse gases throughout the entire process of beer manufacturing, from raw materials to manufacturing products and disposal. In 2008, the carbon footprint of “Sapporo Draft Beer Black Label” (CO₂ emissions per can) was calculated and displayed at the “Zero Emission House” at the Hokkaido Toyako Summit. In 2009, canned beer with labelling of its carbon footprint was released for sale in Hokkaido for the first time in the world. The calculation was conducted based on "Beer Products" of the Carbon Footprint Product of a Product - Product Category Rule (CFP-PCR) which enabled us to determine the weight, etc. of each process in the product's life cycle. Based on this knowledge, Sapporo Breweries is promoting environmental measures for its products, such as reducing the weight of containers and packaging, as effective measures to reduce CO₂ emissions.

POKKA SAPPORO's manufacturing plants (food and beverage) are steadily engaged in energy-saving activities every year. To further reduce energy consumption, all the boilers have been switched to once-through boiler operation at the Nagoya factory, and the solar panels have been installed on the plant roof and the LED lighting has been introduced at the Gunma factory.

Sapporo Lion has been developing environmentally-friendly restaurants in various forms to reduce CO₂ emissions.
For “Yebisu Bar,” which has been developing in recent years, and for “Ginza Lion,” which has been growing with new restaurants in various regions, energy-conserving LED lighting has been used for most hall lighting. In existing restaurants as well, lighting has been changed to LED lighting and kitchens have also been transitioning to environmentally-friendly refrigerators and icemakers.
Furthermore, energy and water conservation pamphlets have been distributed to each restaurant and water and utility charges have also been visualized to grasp excess and uneven use in different time slots. Based on information from these activities, energy conservation activities are being implemented during business hours, such as frequently turning switches on and off, configuring proper temperatures for air conditioning and kitchen equipment, along with appropriate operation methods.

Efforts to save energy

At "Ebisu Garden Place," we are committed to promoting energy conservation through various measures. In addition to improving the operation of office building air conditioning systems, we have implemented high-performance Low-E glass windows with excellent heat and insulation properties. We have also gradually transitioned to LED lighting and introduced high-efficiency equipment in line with equipment updates. These efforts are aimed at reducing energy consumption and promoting energy efficiency.

Aiming for zero CO₂ emissions

Sapporo Real Estate Development is actively pursuing the transition to renewable energy by using non-fossil fuel certificates for the properties in its portfolio. The electricity sourced by procuring non-fossil fuel certificates is equivalent to 100% renewable energy, resulting in zero CO₂ emissions. In addition, we have established a renewable energy roadmap to achieve decarbonization as a company in the medium term, aiming to transition electricity and other energy sources, such as city gas and thermal energy, to renewable sources.