When NHK conducted a survey of 100 major domestic companies, 80% of the companies answered that they had set specific goals and business plans for decarbonization in-house.
As the movement of decarbonization spreads around the world, we can see the attitude of domestic companies to actively respond.
From July 21st to August 4th, NHK conducted a questionnaire to 100 major domestic companies and asked if they had set specific goals and business plans for the realization of a "decarbonized society." I did.
As a result, 81 companies were "developed", 1 was "not formulated", and 13 were "under consideration".
Regarding the government's goal of reducing greenhouse gases by 46% toward 2030 compared to 2013, 9 companies are "achievable", 51 companies are "strict but can be achieved", and 12 are "difficult to achieve". At the company, 60% of the respondents answered that they could achieve it.
As the movement of decarbonization spreads around the world, we can see the attitude of domestic companies to actively respond.
When asked in multiple answers what they think is necessary to achieve the goal, 68 companies answered "Procurement of renewable energy", 53 companies answered "Technological innovation of decarbonization", and "Promotion of energy saving at their own facilities". Is now 46 companies.
When asked what the government should do to achieve the goal, 74 companies answered "support for carbon dioxide technological innovation", 31 companies answered "economic measures to encourage the purchase of environmentally friendly products and services", and "energy saving". There were 26 companies for "promotion" and 23 companies for "promotion of carbon pricing" where companies and others bear the cost by pricing carbon dioxide.
In addition, 23 companies have "already issued" and "plan to issue in the future" for bonds called "green bonds" that raise funds in the environmental field such as global warming countermeasures by limiting the use of funds. 1 company and 24 companies "considering issuance".
The movement to issue "green bonds" is expanding in Europe, the United States and China, but it can be seen that the movement to strengthen environmental efforts is also expanding in Japan.
Experts
Regarding the results of this questionnaire, Takahiko Tagami of the Institute of Energy Economics, Japan, who is familiar with the economic situation surrounding climate change, said, "It is a very strict goal for each company, but it shows a strong will to achieve it somehow. However, in 2030 There are only nine years left to reach the target, and the means are limited. It is important as a short-term measure to use electricity that does not emit greenhouse gases such as energy saving, renewable energy, and nuclear energy. "
On top of that, "Steel and chemicals are difficult to change raw materials and energy easily, and the transportation industry cannot immediately switch to electric vehicles. Therefore, technological innovation toward 2050, not limited to 2030. It is important to steadily advance the process. It will be especially important to develop technologies that use hydrogen as energy and bury carbon dioxide in the ground. "
"In the United States, China, and Europe, a large amount of money is invested in decarbonization technology development, and there are many places that support the developed technology to the point where it makes a profit in the market. However, in Japan, the situation is uncertain. Currently, there are few companies that can sit down and work on decarbonization technology development. I think it is necessary to develop and nurture competitive technology in Japan as well. "