Implementing Initiatives Regarding Climate Change Issues including Global Warming
Climate change, which includes global warming, is one of the most important issues confronting humankind today. The Fourth Assessment Report (AR4) released by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) indicated the potential for a strong positive correlation between such greenhouse gas emissions as CO2 and global warming.
Map Outlining Projections Attributable to Global Warming
Projected Temperatures Changes Expressed as the Average for 2070–2100 Relative to the Average for 1960–1990
The continued advance of global warming not only causes changes in the environment, such as a rise in the sea level and abnormal weather, but also significantly affects the ecosystem. In this context, changes in our natural environment, which result in the depletion of water resources, have an escalating affect on both the farming and fishery industries that in turn place an increased burden on our food supply. In addition to causing significant and mounting damage to society, climate change has the potential to substantially impact the financial performance of our business activities. The AR4 is projecting a very real and highly possible surge in living costs associated with an increase of 2-3℃ above current global average temperatures.
Activities Undertaken by the Energy Conservation Subcommittee
In order to ensure that the Group as a whole advances activities that encompass the reduction of CO2 emissions, a greenhouse gas, and the promotion of energy conservation, the Energy Conservation Subcommittee was established as a working group under the CSR Committee on October 1, 2008.
The Energy Conservation Subcommittee has identified annual reduction goals of 1.0% and 1.5% for energy consumption intensity and CO2 emission intensity, respectively, as measured against the average of the results for the period from fiscal 2003 to fiscal 2005. Since its establishment, the subcommittee has met on three separate occasions to follow up on the status of progress, particularly with respect to energy costs and the level of energy conservation improvement. The following pages provide a record of a roundtable meeting held to discuss the various CO2 reduction initiatives and other initiatives implemented by the Group's operating sites. (CSR Meeting 2010 was held on February 24, 2010, in the Boardroom on the 20th floor of the Shin-Nikko Building.)
