Person in charge (department and title at the time of interview))
Head Office Planning Headquarters Sustainability Promotion Department Environmental Planning Section Manager
Mr. Toshiyuki Yamamoto
Precision Machinery & Robot Company Planning Headquarters Robot Management Department Manager
Mr. Saki Imahori
Greenhouse gas (GHG) emission amount, such as CO2, are calculated as Scopes 1 to 3. Unlike Scopes 1 and 2, which are completed within a company, calculating and reducing Scope 3 emissions, which requires cooperation from other companies related to the company, such as suppliers, is a Issue for many companies. In fact, Zeroboard has received consultations about this, and is providing support for supplier initiatives. So, this time we spoke to Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Company (hereinafter referred to as Kawasaki Heavy Industries), with Zeroboard has provided support through study sessions for suppliers, about the Issue of Scope 3 reduction, efforts to resolve them, and future prospects.
Issue and background to introduction
It is difficult to reduce Scope 3 emissions on your own
Building a cooperative system with suppliers
Reasons for choosing Zeroboard
To support efforts to reduce Scope 3 emissions
Trust due to the expertise and careful communication of Zeroboard personnel
Introduction effects and expected effects in the future
Holding briefings and study sessions for suppliers
Clarifying the path to Scope 3 reduction
Building momentum towards carbon neutrality within the company
The Issue to achieving carbon neutrality is Scope 3 reduction
--This time, we will be talking to you two, who are working on carbon neutrality at the head office and the robot division. First, please tell us about the work you are in charge of.
Yamamoto: At the head office, I am responsible for Settings targets and drawing up a roadmap for achieving carbon neutrality for the entire Kawasaki Heavy Industries Group. I also handle ESG evaluations, which are becoming increasingly important.
Imahori: I am in charge of carbon neutrality-related work in the Robot Division, which is primarily responsible for the development, Manufacturing , and sales of Industry robots. As the secretariat for the Carbon Neutrality Committee within the Robot Division, which was established at the end of 2022, I am promoting the division's carbon neutrality activity. As the Robot Division has many customers in the semiconductor and automotive industries, who have high awareness and requirements for carbon neutrality, we established this committee within the division in parallel with the efforts of the entire Kawasaki Heavy Industries Group in order to quickly provide the value that customers and society desire.
Yamamoto: For Scope 3, we have set a goal of becoming "Zero-Carbon Ready" and are working to line up CO2-free solutions by 2040. For Category 1, we aim to reduce emissions by 80% by 2040 compared to fiscal 2021. To reduce emissions, we first need to make CO2 visible, so after speaking with several companies, we ultimately decided on Zeroboard.
Head Office Planning Division Sustainability Promotion Department Environmental Planning Section Manager Toshiyuki Yamamoto
Consulted Zeroboard to reduce Scope 3 emissions. The deciding factor was their expertise and thoroughness in supporting suppliers.
-Please tell us why you decided on Zeroboard.
Yamamoto: The deciding factors were Zeroboard's expertise, attentive support, and the fact that they support us in holding study sessions on carbon neutrality for Kawasaki Heavy Industries' suppliers. We had been calculating Scope 3 at our headquarters using Excel, but we decided that we had reached our limit in doing it ourselves and decided to seek Zeroboard's assistance. We had been calculating all Scope 3 emissions from Categories 1 to 15 with support from the Ministry of the Environment since around 2014, but after looking at the recent GHG Protocol, we felt the need for specialized knowledge, so we thought it would be best to get advice from Zeroboard from an objective perspective.
--The decision to hold study sessions for suppliers was also a deciding factor. Could you tell us more about it?
Imahori: Kawasaki Heavy Industries' Robot Division has been leading the way in conducting study sessions for suppliers, and after the first briefing session in June 2023, four study sessions were held during the fiscal year.
At the study session, we explained what carbon neutrality is, what Scope 1 to 3 are, the background and calculation Contents of greenhouse gas reduction, the difference between primary and secondary data, specific calculation Contents using calculation templates, and carbon footprints.
When holding the study session, we received very detailed advice from the person in charge at Zeroboard, taking into account examples from other companies. At first, the level of understanding among suppliers varied, with many of them asking, ``What is carbon neutrality?'' However, through conversations with procurement staff, understanding of carbon neutrality and empathy for its necessity gradually increased. I feel that I am able to do it.
- Regarding your initiatives with suppliers, did you have an idea of how you would proceed before you approached Zeroboard?
Imahori: We started with little practical knowledge about how to achieve carbon neutrality, so we didn't have a clear image of what to do. Of course, we study on our own, but we also learn from Zeroboard, including examples from other companies, and move forward with guidance from scratch. We discuss the Contents of the study sessions and when to hold them, and at the first briefing session, they even helped us proofread the Contents so that we could accurately convey Kawasaki Heavy Industries' thinking and direction to suppliers.
We were also advised by Zeroboard experts that "asking suppliers to suddenly calculate their CO2 emission amount may confuse them," so we are starting with careful educational activity. Rather than asking them to fill out the CO2 emission amount figures from the beginning, we started by asking about their current efforts, whether they have an organization that is working towards carbon neutrality, and whether they would be willing to cooperate positively if the Robot Division made any Contents.
Currently, in order to proceed with primary data replacement starting from the parts that account for the largest emission amount for our company, we have selected several suppliers with whom we do a lot of business, and as ``leading suppliers'' we are consulting with them individually to consider calculating emission amount. I am at the stage where I am receiving it. Zeroboard also gave us advice on how to proceed. One of the reasons I'm glad I chose Zeroboard is that they suggest things that we, inexperienced, would not have thought of on our own.
Working with suppliers to reduce Scope 3 emissions and fostering momentum within the company to achieve carbon neutrality
--Could you tell us about the good points of Zeroboard, which you use for Scope 3 calculations?
Yamamoto: At the head office, we calculate the Kawasaki Heavy Industries Group's GHG emissions on a monetary basis, while the Robot Division, primarily the Procurement Department, has begun weight-based calculations. By importing procurement-based data into Zeroboard, we are able to produce figures without much manpower, which is very helpful. Even when we are unsure about the Emission factor, it is relatively easy to use and can be solved Action, which is very helpful.
Imahori: When it comes to organizing the calculation data for the Robot Division, Zeroboard's experts have been helping us with even the most detailed practical questions, such as which Emission factor is appropriate for a certain item. Also, once procurement staff Import the data into Zeroboard , they can immediately check it on the Dashboard, which is very helpful for the secretariat, who wants to check the results. They've been working alongside us more meticulously than we expected, and I feel like Kawasaki Heavy Industries' members alone wouldn't have been able to organize the data this quickly from the start.
Mr. Saki Imahori, Director, Robot Management Department, Planning Headquarters, Precision Machinery & Robot Company
--What was Zeroboard's support for supplier initiatives like?
Imahori: I'm very satisfied with the system in place, where if I have any questions, a sales representative will respond immediately, and if there's any specialized matter, Zeroboard's in-house experts will handle it. It would have been difficult to hold a study session for suppliers on our own, so they are an indispensable presence. I'm also grateful that Zeroboard continues to hold so many study sessions for suppliers, as I didn't expect them to do so.
--With Zeroboard's support, has the path to reducing Scope 3 emissions become clear?
Imahori: I think we have a rough idea of how to calculate the main categories. In particular, we have a good idea of how to obtain data from suppliers and transport companies for categories 1 and 4.
We have been conducting awareness-raising activity for about a year, so the next phase will be to collect data from suppliers, increase the proportion of primary data, and work with suppliers to improve its accuracy. Going one step further than the study sessions, I think it would be easier to move forward if Zeroboard could also get involved in individual consultations with individual suppliers, so we look forward to your support in this area as well.
-- Scope 3 is a step higher than Scope 1 and 2, so many companies are struggling to respond. Could you give us some final advice?
Yamamoto: First, we need to visualize CO2 emission amount using Zeroboard , and then work with suppliers that have large emission amount to reduce them. We want to prioritize the largest emission amount first and work together to implement measures.
Imahori: When we held a briefing session for suppliers to reduce Scope 3 emissions, I was initially hesitant to talk about "CO2 reduction," which is a completely different topic from our usual work, as many suppliers gathered. However, once we actually started, we were able to understand the situation on the supplier side and found that many suppliers were cooperative, so we were able to make progress step by step. Once we took the first step, the path to the next step became clear, so I realized that it was important to just give it a try.
Yamamoto: From the headquarters' perspective, we believe that the Robotics Division's first step is a big step for Kawasaki Heavy Industries. I think the initial briefing and study session was a turning point. Using Zeroboard has had a positive impact not only externally but also internally. At first, some people were unable to fully grasp that carbon neutrality is something that applies to them. Our efforts with Zeroboard have also had a significant effect in sending a message to the company that we are serious about this company-wide.
