- Increased costs for product development in response to climate change.
- Drop in sales of seasonal products due to global warming.
- Reputation risk due to insufficient response to climate change.
- Flood damage to Kao plants due to increased frequency of heavy rainfall.
- Supply chain disruption impacting product supply.
- Increased costs of raw materials due to restrictions on the use of fossil fuels.
- Increased costs for responding to regulations resulting from the introduction of carbon taxes.
Kao Corporation
Greenhouse gas emissions & sustainability report data
In its 2023 reporting, Kao Corporation disclosed greenhouse gas emissions of 10.1K thousand tons-CO2e (2023). By scope: Scope 2: 539 thousand tons-CO2e (2023); Scope 3: 10.8K thousand tons-CO2e (2023). Figures are as stated in the company's own report and may use different boundaries, units or methods (for example market-based vs location-based Scope 2), so compare with care.
GHG Emissions
10.1K thousand tons-CO2e (2023)
2023
Renewable Energy
72% of all electricity purchased, 57% of all electricity used (2023)
of total energy
Energy Use
16.7 PJ (2023)
2023
📊 Emissions by Scope (2023)
| Scope | What it covers | Reported value |
|---|---|---|
| Scope 2 | Indirect emissions from purchased electricity, steam, heat and cooling. | 539 thousand tons-CO2e (2023) |
| Scope 3 | Other indirect emissions across the value chain (purchased goods, business travel, use of sold products, etc.). | 10.8K thousand tons-CO2e (2023) |
New to scopes? Read Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions explained and market-based vs location-based Scope 2.
📈 Emissions by Report Period
| Report period | Headline emissions figure reported |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 10.1K thousand tons-CO2e (2023) |
Each row is the headline figure extracted from a different report; scope coverage and methodology can change between years.
✅ Reported Environmental Achievements
- Reduced CO2 emissions across the entire product lifecycle by 15% compared to 2017.
- Achieved 100% renewable energy for purchased electricity in Japan by the end of 2023.
- Reduced energy consumption per unit of sales by 6% compared to the previous year.
- Reduced greenhouse gas emissions (Scope 1+2) by 35% compared to 2017.
🎯 Climate & Sustainability Targets
🔜 Short-term
- Reduce energy consumed at all Kao Group sites by at least 1% per year.
📅 Medium-term
- Reduce greenhouse gas emissions at all Kao Group sites (Scope 1+2) by 55% (compared to 2017).
- Reduce greenhouse gas emissions throughout the product lifecycle (Scope 1+2+3) by 22% (compared to 2017).
- 100% renewable energy for electricity purchased by all Kao Group sites by 2025.
- 100% renewable energy for electricity used by all Kao Group sites by 2030.
🔭 Long-term
- Reduce net carbon emissions to zero by 2040.
- Become carbon negative by 2050.
🌱 ESG Focus Areas
Climate ChangeDecarbonizationWater ConservationResponsible SourcingStakeholder Engagement