Climate Change Measures

Mitigating and adapting to the threat posed by climate change requires active involvement by national governments, local governments, corporations, citizens, and others. Astellas recognizes that climate change will become a constraint on conducting sustained corporate activity, and considers it one of management's most important problems to address.
Astellas has adopted the method for setting reduction targets recommended by the Science Based Targets (SBT) Initiative. This method is designed to achieve the 2°C target of the Paris Agreement, which entered force in 2016. In November 2018, the SBT Initiative certified the targets laid out in Astellas’ Environmental Action Plan.
To address climate change as a management issue, we have adopted as an indicator the 2°C Scenario of the International Energy Agency (IEA 2DS). We are currently moving forward toward setting a long-term target of Net Zero by 2050.

 

Progress on Action Plan (SBT): Change in Actual GHG Emissions Volume 

Our progress toward SBT targets calculated based on the GHG Protocol is as follows:

The indicators subject to independent assurance are GHG emissions (Scope 1 and Scope 2).
Data for fiscal 2020 has been revised due to revision in the amount of electricity purchased at some sites in fiscal 2020.

Progress on Environmental Action Plan (Scope 3 / revenue)

	Fiscal 2015	Fiscal 2019	Fiscal 2020*	Fiscal 2021
GHG emissions (Scope 3) (Tons)	271,010	229,953	194,534	200,019
Revenue (billion Yen)	1,373	1,301	1,250	1,296
Emission per unit of revenue (tons/billion Yen)	197	177	156	154
Ratio to Base-year (%)	--	-10.5	-21.1	-21.8

The indicators subject to independent assurance are GHG emissions (Scope 3) and emission per unit of revenue.
* Scope 3 category data for fiscal 2020 has been revised due to revisions in the amount of electricity purchased at some sites in fiscal 2020.

Changes in Actual GHG Emissions Volume 

The actual volume of GHG emissions of Astellas in fiscal 2021 was 119 kilotons (Scope 1: 64 kilotons, Scope 2: 55 kilotons).

Changes in Actual GHG Emissions Volume by Area

(Unit: Tons)

	Fiscal 2015	Ratio (%)	Fiscal 2019	Ratio (%)	Fiscal 2020	Ratio (%)	Fiscal 2021	Ratio (%)
Japan	166,857	75	132,888	80	94,522	77	89,725	76
Scope 1	61,036		48,842		46,217		46,662
Scope 2	105,821		84,046		48,305		43,063
US	31,185	14	13,022	8	13,880	11	12,448	10
Scope 1	20,742		7,878		7,139		5,686
Scope 2	10,443		5,143		6,741		6,762
Established Markets	16,725	8	12,131	9	8,601	7	9,913	8
Scope 1	13,073		10,743		7,799		9,115
Scope 2	3,652		1,389		802		798
Greater China	3,349	2	3,941	2	3,623	3	3,956	3
Scope 1	14		18		29		47
Scope 2	3,335		3,923		3,594		3,909
International Markets	4,628	2	4,155	3	2,695	2	2,636	2
Scope 1	3,635		3,417		2,092		2,181
Scope 2	994		738		603		455
Total	222,744	-	166,138	-	123,320	-	118,679	-
Scope 1	98,500		70,898		63,276		63,691
Scope 2	124,244		95,239		60,044		54,988

Non-energy GHG emissions are less than 5% of total emissions and therefore not included in the disclosed data.
 

Our Efforts to Reduce GHG Emissions

In order to reduce GHG emissions, Astellas must implement management practices that involve the entire Group from a medium-term perspective. Astellas’ manufacturing plants, research centers, sales and marketing divisions, and offices are implementing a variety of initiatives with the aim of mitigating climate change.
Regarding tangible elements, efforts to improve facilities, which include the introduction of high-efficiency equipment and the conversion to alternative fuels, are expected to make a significant contribution to reducing the level of GHG emissions generated by energy sources. Regarding intangible aspects, employees’ participation in energy saving through improvements of daily work is also important. To this end, each facility adopts a two-pronged approach, comprising measures related to both tangible and intangible elements.

Investment Plan for Climate Change Mitigation Measures

In fiscal 2021, Astellas planned to invest approximately ¥1.1 billion in mainly energy-saving measures at each business facility, the renewal of air conditioning equipment, and the introduction of LED lighting. An investment of ¥900 million was actually completed, resulting in reduction of 1,933 tons of GHG.
Going forward, Astellas will keep on conducting continuous reviews of investment plans related to matters such as introducing renewable energy.

Understanding GHG Emissions in the Supply Chain

Although the Environmental Action Plan concerning climate change is targeting emissions directly generated by business activities (Scope 1 and Scope 2), Astellas is also striving to assess emissions produced throughout the entire supply chain (Scope 3). We have also set SBTs for GHG emissions from major categories within Scope 3, and are striving to reduce them. In addition, we encourage our production contractors to support and cooperate with our measures to reduce GHG emissions.
Details of Scope 3 are available in the section on indirect GHG emissions (Scope 3).

indirect GHG emissions (Scope 3).
 

Priority Use of Gaseous Fuel

At Astellas’ research and production bases, we use boilers fueled by city gas, LPG and LNG (liquefied natural gas), all of which generate low GHG emissions during combustion. These boilers not only contribute to reducing GHG emissions but also to reducing SOx emissions, another air pollutant.

Introduction of Energy Monitoring Systems

Knowing exactly how much energy we use is useful for the formulation of new strategies. We have introduced energy monitoring systems that can visually monitor energy usage at our facilities.

Reduction of GHG Emissions Generated by Sales Activities 

Since fiscal 2008, Astellas has been striving to reduce GHG emissions associated with the use of sales fleets. In each region, we are continuously switching over to vehicles with low environmental impact (e.g., hybrid cars, electric vehicles). In Japan and the US, where the rate of introducing hybrid vehicles is high, the volume of GHG emissions relative to the number of vehicles has been reduced more than in other regions.
GHG emissions associated with the use of sales fleets are reported under Scope 1.

Changes in GHG Emissions Volume

(Unit: Tons)

	Fiscal 2019	Fiscal 2020	Fiscal 2021
Total emissions	20,333	12,980	12,697

When it cannot be directly measured, CO2 emissions are estimated based on fuel purchase costs, annual average fuel usage by company vehicles or private vehicles (if used in sales activities) and other factors. Figures do not include data from Asia/Oceania region (with partial exception).

Impact of COVID-19

In fiscal 2021, continuing on from fiscal 2020, COVID-19 had an impact on our business activities. Activities continued for pharmaceutical development and supply at research and production sites, but significant restrictions were placed on sales activities and employees’ business trips. By fiscal 2021, the new style of working environment had taken root and sales activities and R&D were conducted in ways not involving travel. Compared to activities before COVID-19, the change in sales activities resulted in reduced use of vehicles for sales activities resulting in a reduction of about 7,600 tons in emissions and restrictions on aircraft use for business trips resulting in a reduction of about 32,000 tons of emissions (compared to fiscal 2019).

Using Renewable Energy

The use of renewable energy is one of the most effective climate change countermeasures. Astellas is introducing photovoltaic panels and wind power generation, and such equipment as biomass boilers, and purchases electricity derived from renewable energy sources to reduce GHG emissions. We will continue to strive expanding the use of renewable energies in the future.
Usage of Renewable Energy 

 

Usage of renewable energy (Breakdown data)

Type of renewable energy	Energy consumed
Purchase of electricity generated by renewable energy sources	95,882 MWh
Wind turbine generation	1,486 MWh
Photovoltaics	163 MWh
Use of biomass boilers	40,761 GJ
Use of geothermal heat	604 GJ

Starting in April 2020, Astellas switched all electricity consumed by its three research and production sites in Japan (Tsukuba Research Center, Tsukuba Biotechnology Research Center and Takahagi Chemistry & Technology Development Center) to hydroelectric power(*), which is free of GHG emissions.  This enabled a reduction of emissions of 29,700 tons. Moreover, we are also moving ahead on switching to electricity generated by renewable energy sources in areas outside of Japan as well as it becomes possible to do so.
Looking ahead, Astellas will continue to explore opportunities for using renewable energy, and it will also consider formulating targets for the use of renewable energy.
(*) The Aqua Premium plan provided by TEPCO Energy Partner, Inc.

Participation in the Federation of Economic Organizations’ Carbon Neutrality Action Plan

Astellas is participating in the Carbon Neutrality Action Plan^* formulated by the Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers’ Associations of Japan, which is based on requests from the Federation of Economic Organizations, and is considering setting new targets.

* With a long-term vision of Net Zero CO2 emissions by 2050, the Phase II target (2030 target) is to reduce CO2 emissions in fiscal 2030 by 46% (from laboratories, plants, offices and vehicles used in sales) from the fiscal 2013 level.