In order to achieve the globally shared long-term goals set forth in the Paris Agreement, the realization of carbon neutrality throughout society is imperative, and efforts to achieve a decarbonized society (climate change mitigation) must be accelerated. There is also a need to adapt to environmental changes, such as the intensification of natural disasters caused by climate change.
The Mitsui Chemicals Group considers climate change to be a top priority issue and has formulated and published a climate change policy in 2019.
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Endeavor to create a circular economy
Climate Change Policy
Mitsui Chemicals Group Climate Change Policy
Taking climate change as a top priority issue, the Mitsui Chemicals Group will undertake initiatives for collaboration and co-creation in the global value chain.
Mitigation
Realizing a low-carbon society by reducing GHG emissions
Opportunities and risks
Low-carbon manufacturing
- Energy conservation and renewable energy
- Switching to alternative raw materials and fuels
Product-driven GHG reductions
- Blue Value™ products
Improved recycling technology
- Innovation in materials and design
Maximization of value chain contributions
Adaptation
Realizing a society resistant to climate change risks that ensures health and well-being
Opportunities and risks
Improving water security
- Risk management at production sites
- Effective use of water resources
Expanding lineup of adaptable products
- Rose Value™ products
Strengthening of value chain resilience
Climate change
Mitigation Measures: Realizing a low-carbon society by reducing GHG emissions
The Mitsui Chemicals Group focuses on reducing GHG emissions as one means of mitigating climate change. We aim to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, by reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions within our Group, and working to decarbonize the entire value chain, including all products and services. GHG emissions reduction is incorporated in our Carbon Neutral Strategy, which was established in FY2020, and we are now moving forward with concrete measures.
Low-carbon manufacturing
Chemical products mainly use fossil-derived raw materials, which emit a large amount of GHGs through manufacturing processes involving chemical reactions at high temperatures and fuel combustion at utility facilities for producing steam or electricity. We believe that we contribute greatly to reducing GHG emissions in the manufacturing of our chemical products by implementing various measures, including saving energy in the manufacturing process by mainly using high-performance catalysts and installing energy-efficient equipment, actively utilizing renewable energy, and switching to low-carbon raw materials and fuels.
Product-driven GHG reduction
Chemical products are involved in various stages of the product lifecycle, not only in processes in which our Group is directly involved, such as raw material procurement and manufacturing, but also indirectly in intermediate processing, use of final products, and disposal.
The Group certifies products that make significant environmental contributions as Blue Value™ products, and evaluates the GHG reduction effect over the entire product life cycle, with "CO2 reduction" as one of the contribution categories. By expanding Blue Value™ products, we will contribute to reducing GHG emissions in the society as a whole.
Improving recycling technologies
Resource recycling not only helps reduce the use of fossil materials and fuels by efficiently utilizing such resources, but it also decreases waste plastic and GHG emissions throughout the value chain. Under its recycling strategy, the Mitsui Chemicals Group is refining its technologies for plastic waste chemical and mechanical recycling, as well as mono-material production of packaging, with the aim of commercializing such technologies.
Climate change
Adaptation Measures: Realizing a society resistant to climate change risks that ensures health and well-being
As a measure to adapt to environmental changes caused by climate change, the Mitsui Chemicals Group is working to build resilient businesses and society by strengthening the resilience of the entire value chain, including by properly assessing risks and expanding lineup of adaptable products.
Improving water security
Damage from wind, floods, and drought are expected to increase as unrelenting global warming causes major changes in climate phenomena. Population increase and economic development are also expected to trigger large-scale water shortages. Owing to the fact that a lot of water is required in the manufacturing of chemical products—for example, for heating/cooling and product purification—changes in the available water supply or its quality could have a negative impact on our business activities. Given that the Mitsui Chemicals Group maintains production sites in multiple regions around the world, we evaluate risks according to each region and take measures to minimize physical and human risks.
Expanding lineup of adaptable products
Global warming is having a profound impact on people’s health and lives, as well as on agriculture and the ecosystem. The Mitsui Chemicals Group certifies products that help improve QOL, such as those that “enrich life and society,” “extend healthy life-span,” and “protect food,” as Rose Value™ products. By expanding Rose Value™ products that can help solve social issues such as infectious diseases, and prevent and mitigate disasters, we aim to realize a healthy and safe society that is resilient to climate change risks and can adapt to environmental changes.