Hitachi targets carbon-neutral value chain by 2050

Hitachi, one of the Principal Partners to the COP26 conference, has revised its sustainability targets with a new plan to achieve carbon neutrality across its entire value chain by 2050.


Hitachi targets carbon-neutral value chain by 2050

To help deliver the goal of carbon neutrality

Hitachi has set the carbon-neutrality goal for 2050 and it will cover the entire value chain, including production, procurement and the use of products and services. It builds on an existing commitment of making all its offices and factories carbon neutral globally by 2030.

The new goals strengthen a previous commitment to deliver an 80% reduction in emissions by 2050, which was set back in 2016.

To help deliver the goal of carbon neutrality, Hitachi will invest around €10bn over a three-year period on R&D technologies that decarbonise through digital innovation. Solutions earmarked for backing include high-efficiency digital products, energy management systems and hydrogen technologies.

Hitachi’s chief environmental officer Alistair Dormer said: “We already had science-based carbon emission targets but these new targets underline our commitment to pass on a prosperous planet to future generations. Digital technology has a key role to play in helping society reach Net Zero and today’s announcement is another sign of Hitachi’s commitment.

“As a Principal Partner of COP26 and a social, purposeful business, we need to do much more than put our own house in order. Green technology in a digital world is a real engine for growth and it’s an exciting time to help cities, governments and companies cut carbon whilst accelerating our own potential as a climate change innovator.”

Hitachi had already joined the UN’s Race to Zero campaign through the Business Ambition for 1.5C, committing to aligning its business with the most ambitious aim of the Paris Agreement – to limit global temperature rise to 1.5degC above preindustrial levels.

Hitachi is a principal partner of COP26. edie recently spoke to the company’s COP26 director Hans Daems as part of its “26 voices for COP26” two-part feature. In the piece, Daems said that “it’s too late to be talking about wake-up calls – it’s time for action”.

“Yes, COP26 is a key moment – but most importantly, it needs to inspire momentum around global climate action. Hitachi’s aim is to help achieve a society that is decarbonised, resource efficient and harmonised with nature,” Daems said.

“To achieve this, we are orienting our business towards the sustainable technology of the future.  I, for one, am proud of the role we can play, with partners, to create solutions that help achieve the goals of the UNFCCC and mitigate the impact of global climate change. My hope for COP26 is that it inspires others too.”

Worldwide net-zero

In related news, technology manufacturer Cisco has unveiled a net-zero emissions target set for 2040. The net-zero target will cover all scope and will be supported by near-term targets to reach net-zero across Scope 1 and 2 emissions globally by 2025.

Targets for Scope 3 emissions, which include the use of sold products and supply chain emissions, will be finalised later this year. The publication of these wider targets will also outline how Cisco plans to invest in renewables and carbon removal solutions.

“The devastating effects of the climate disasters over the past few weeks could not be a clearer sign of the urgent need to address climate change now,” Cisco’s chief people, policy and purpose officer Fran Katsoudas said.

“As a global technology leader, we must set the standard for sustainable business practices and support our customers, partners, and suppliers in their efforts to reduce their impact on the environment as well.”

Matt Mace

Comments (1)

  1. Kim Warren says:

    Unacceptable Hitachi – we don’t have 30 years to fix this, so get those emissions down much, much faster.

Action inspires action. Stay ahead of the curve with sustainability and energy newsletters from edie

Subscribe