Climate Change Countermeasures
Basic Approach
Hitachi High-Tech Group is promoting systematic activities to reduce energy-induced and non-energy-induced CO2 emissions as a response to climate change. Specifically, we are making efforts to reduce CO2 emissions throughout the value chain through ongoing efforts such as use of renewable energy, promotion of environmental investment, improvement of manufacturing processes, and environmentally conscious design at all domestic and overseas sites by FY2027 and throughout the entire supply chain by FY2050, aiming at the creation of a decarbonized society.
As part of this, we hold regular briefing sessions for our suppliers to explain the importance of climate change countermeasures and to request that they develop and promote specific CO2 emissions reduction plans.
Independent Assurance
In order to enhance the credibility of this report, FY2023 figures marked with 
have received independent assurance from SOCOTEC Certification Japan Co., Ltd. in accordance with the International Standard on Assurance Engagements (ISAE) 3000 and ISO14064-3.
Initiatives
Toward the Realization of a Decarbonized Society
Approximately 95% of the energy used in our Group's business activities is electric power. In order to more efficiently reduce CO2 emissions, including at our sites outside Japan, we have assigned top priority to switching over to 100％ renewable energy, with the aim of achieving zero CO2 emissions by FY2027. We also give due consideration to the perspective of additionality when expanding renewable energy.
Promotion of switching to a decarbonization menu for contracted electric power at sites (Reduction of Scope 2 emissions)
Scope 2 emissions were reduced to zero by switching over to renewable energy sources for electric power and making active use of renewable energy value at the Hitachi High-Tech head office (April 2020),at Hitachi High-Tech, Kasado Area (2023),at Hitachi High-Tech Saitama Site (April 2020), at the Hitachi High-Tech Manufacturing & Service Corp. head office (April 2020) and 6th branch office (May 2020), at the Hitachi High-Tech Science Fuji Oyama Works (April 2020), at Hitachi High-Tech Kyushu (February 2019), and at Hitachi High-Tech Solutions Mito Division (June 2021). Also, in March 2021, we constructed a semiconductor manufacturing equipment manufacturing site "Naka-Marine Site" in Hitachinaka City, Ibaraki Prefecture, and it uses renewable energy power and emits zero CO2 since its completion.
Similarly, we switched to renewable energy sources in the Hitachi High-Tech Kasado Area, a semiconductor manufacturing site, in July 2023.
We are also expanding the switch to renewable energy sources at domestic branches and sales offices and overseas sites (10 sites in FY2023), and we will work to further expand the use of renewable energy sources in the future.
Promoting Reduction of Fuel Used at Sites (Scope 1 Emissions Reduction)
The Hitachi High-Tech Group consumes fuel for cargo handling and drying of paints at manufacturing sites, and by commercial vehicle operations. In order to realize a decarbonized society, we are investigating switching to electric power for cargo handling equipment and to EVs for company vehicles as well as capture and processing of greenhouse gases (non-energy-derived) such as SF6 and HFCs (such as SF6 used in transmission electron microscopes) and considering alternatives.
Hitachi High-Tech Saitama Site, Hitachi High-Tech Manufacturing & Service Corp. 6th branch office, Hitachi High-Tech Science Fuji Oyama Works, and Hitachi High-Tech Solutions Mito Division, and Naka-Marine Site used offset credits to achieve zero emissions in Scope 1 in FY2023.
Status of Promotion of Carbon Neutrality
Hitachi High-Tech Corporation Head Office, Hitachi High-Tech Saitama Site, Hitachi High-Tech Manufacturing & Service Corp. 6th branch office, Hitachi High-Tech Science Fuji Oyama Works, Hitachi High-Tech Solutions Mito Division, Hitachi High-Tech Kyushu Corporation, and Naka-Marine Site have achieved carbon neutrality through initiatives such as switching to renewable energy power, utilizing renewable energy values and offset credits, and switching to EV vehicles.
We will continue our efforts on a global basis, aiming to achieve carbon neutrality at all Hitachi High-Tech Group sites by FY2027.
Promoting Energy Conservation with Environmental Investment and Process Reforms, and Promoting the Introduction of Internal Carbon Pricing*
Hitachi High-Tech Group established the Environmental Investment Guidelines in FY2016 to improve the ease and efficiency of environmental investment. Since the investments made in FY2017, these guidelines have contributed to the growth of environmental investment and improvement in the reduction effect in the amount of CO2 versus investment. In FY2021, we introduced an Internal Carbon Pricing system (internal carbon price of 14,000 yen/t-CO2) to further promote environmental investment, and began applying the system to investments made in FY2022.
We are also actively working to save energy by streamlining our manufacturing processes.
* Internal Carbon Pricing: A system in which a company places a price on its own carbon emissions in order to quantitatively clarify the impact on current and/or future business activities and to facilitate strategic decision-making, based on the premise that addressing climate change will present both costs and opportunities.
FY2023 Energy Saving Examples
At the Hitachi High-Tech Group, we have worked to introduce LED floor lighting in offices and communal areas, etc.
In addition, we are replacing transformers and air-conditioning units with highly efficient equipment, and improving manufacturing processes, at our manufacturing sites.
Energy-Saving Activities at Business Sites
| Item | Measure |
|---|---|
| Renewable energy | Installation of solar panels on building rooftops (including onsite PPA) |
| Air Conditioning System | Improvement in air conditioner operation mode for clean rooms (Adjustment of the control accuracy for holidays and nighttime, discrete control of cleanliness for each compartment) Installation of controllers of the energy-saving type in air conditioner Installation of air conditioning remote monitoring system Installation of hybrid fans Installation of underfloor air conditioning systems Installation of watering system to exterior unit |
| Air Conditioning and Power utilization efficiency | Less power loss through installation of phase advance capacitors Installation of super-amorphous transformers Installation of automatic power factor regulators Reduce energy consumption of IT infrastructure |
| Various equipment and facilities | Installation of air conditioner compressors controlled by the number of air conditioner units in
operation Installation of inverter-controlled cooling water supply equipment Installation of EV charging stations Periodic replacement of air conditioning equipment, compressors, transformers, and other equipment |
| Lighting | Installation of a system for automatic selection of illuminance Installation of lights for automatic detecting the presence of persons Installation of LED lights Installation of inverter ballasts with luminaires Fewer lights are lit and unnecessary lights are turned off when not needed. |
| Building | Laying double roofs Implementation of thermal barrier coating Replacement with thermal windows |
| Enlightenment activity | Handbills are distributed and signboards are installed in energy-saving months. Cool Biz and Warm Biz “Green” walls on building windows and walls |
In FY2023, annual CO2 emissions were 19,555 tons, compared to a target for energy-induced CO2 of 19,732 tons, and thus, we achieved our target. This achievement was influenced by greater than planned progress in switching over to renewable energy sources for the electric power used as well continuous promotion of environmental investment and other such factors.
Based on these results, we will continue taking initiatives to reduce CO2 emissions to zero and to save energy by installing equipment and facilities of an energy-saving type, by efficiently using energy, and by generating renewable energy.
Performance Data
Changes in Volume of CO2 Emissions in Japan
* Reporting boundary：Hitachi High-Tech and group companies in Japan
* Calculation method: Conforms to the Manual for Calculation and Reporting of Greenhouse Gas Emissions (Ministry of the Environment and Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry) CO2 emissions volume calculated using conversion factors adjusted for power options provided by electric power companies and retail power suppliers.
* The total of energy-induced CO2 and non-energy-induced CO2
Changes in CO2 Emissions per Unit of Revenue in Japan
* Reporting boundary: Manufacturing sites of Hitachi High-Tech Corporation Head Office and group manufacturing companies in Japan
* Calculation method: Conforms to the Manual for Calculation and Reporting of Greenhouse Gas Emissions (Ministry of the Environment and Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry). CO2 emissions volume is the total value for energy-induced Scope 1 and 2 emissions; emissions for electric power are calculated using conversion factors adjusted for power options provided by electric power companies and retail power suppliers.
Changes in Energy Usage (Crude Oil Equivalent)
* Reporting boundary: All Hitachi High-Tech Group companies (Excluding Hitachi High-Tech Ireland and Hitachi High-Tech Israel. The figures from FY2018 include Hitachi High-Tech Analytical Science and excludes Hitachi High-Tech Russia and Hitachi High-Tech Kuwait Office in FY2020.)
* Calculation method: Conforms to the stipulations of the Act on the Rational Use of Energy
Changes in Energy Usage Improvement Rate per Unit of Sales in Japan (Crude Oil Equivalent)
* Reporting boundary: Hitachi High-Tech Group companies in Japan. The Naka-Marine Site has been included since FY2022.
* Calculation method: Conforms to the stipulations of the Act on the Rational Use of Energy
* Energy usage improvement rate per unit: The rate of improvement over the base FY 2010 {(1 - base units of the relevant site for the relevant fiscal year/base units of the relevant site for the base year) x environmental impact at the relevant site for the base year calculated by group companies in Japan}
Changes in Volume of CO2 Emissions Outside Japan
* Reporting boundary: Overseas subsidiaries (excluding Hitachi High-Tech Ireland and Hitachi High-Tech Israel)
* Calculation method: Conforms to the Manual for Calculation and Reporting of Greenhouse Gas Emissions (Ministry of the Environment and Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry). However, the FY2021 CO2 emission factor for electric power is based on the value published by the IEA (International Energy Agency) in 2021 for 2019. For FY2020, values published by the IEA in 2020 for 2018 were used; For FY2019, values published by the IEA in 2019 for 2017 were used; for FY2018, values published by the IEA in FY2017 for 2015 were used; for FY2017 and earlier, 2005 values published by the IEA in 2010 were used. (If IEA factors for 2017 were used for the calculation of the FY2018 figure, CO2 emissions would have been 10,349 tons.)
Information Disclosure Based on TCFD Recommendations*
We have been instituting measures to support TCFD since we began studies of it in FY2018. We established a working group (the TCFD Study Group) under the Sustainability Promotion Committee in November 2020. The Study Group conducted scenario analysis (identification of specific climate change risks and opportunities, consideration of measures to address them, etc.) for each of the Hitachi High-Tech Group's businesses. We will continue actively promoting specific initiatives for management strategy and risk management addressing climate-related risks, in particular.
We will disclose climate-related information obtained from these efforts in accordance with the TCFD recommendations. In engaging in disclosure as a member of the Hitachi Group, which supported the recommendations by TCFD, we will also coordinate with Hitachi, Ltd., our parent company, in our efforts to achieve substantial disclosure.
* The Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) recommended that corporations and other enterprises disclose information relating to climate change risks, opportunities, and so on.
CDP*1 Evaluation
We have responded to CDP climate change questionnaires at the Hitachi High-Tech Group. In FY2022, we received a score of " Leadership: A" for “best practices in the managing environmental issues” in our businesses for the first time. We were also selected for the second consecutive year as a Supplier Engagement Leader, the highest rating in the Supplier Engagement Rating (SER) assessment performed by CDP. This is the first time we have been selected for our actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions across the entire Hitachi High-Tech supply chain.
Our Group will work toward improvements in corporate value, while making effective efforts to address climate change risks.
*1 CDP: A UK-based independent non-profit organization. It receives requests from investors around the world, and investigates, evaluates, and discloses information relating to companies’ effects on climate change, water security, and forests.