- Major Japanese brands including global camera company Nikon & instant foods producer Nissin join the RE100 initiative today.
- RE100 reaches milestone of 50 Japanese businesses committed to 100% renewable power, now accounting for 1/6 of global membership.
- Policymakers expected to revise Japan’s renewable electricity target to help deliver on net zero goal but will it be enough to meet growing demand?
Corporate demand for clean energy in Japan is reaching new heights, building pressure on the government to play its part by increasing renewable electricity deployment.
Ichigo Inc., Kumagai Gumi Co., Ltd, Nikon Corporation, and Nissin Foods Holdings are the latest Japanese companies to join the global RE100 initiative. RE100 is led by the Climate Group in partnership with CDP, and brings together almost 300 major businesses committed to using 100% renewable electricity for their operations.
As of today, Japan is home to 50 of these leading companies; the second highest number of RE100 members after the United States. It also plays host to 60 global RE100 members with international operations in Japan.
Despite increasing corporate demand for clean energy, Japan was recently cited as one of the most challenging markets in the world by RE100 members. High cost and limited availability mean Japanese companies have tended to set much later goals for reaching 100% renewable power compared to the global average (2028).
However, over the coming weeks, policymakers are expected to revise Japan’s renewable energy mix in light of its new 2050 net zero emissions goal. Recently, over 160 Japanese companies backed a more ambitious national target of 50% renewable electricity by 2030 (up from 22%), to unlock a faster clean energy transition.
It’s fantastic to reach this milestone reflecting the rising corporate demand for clean energy, but RE100 research shows that high costs and a lack of availability in Japan are stopping major companies from switching to renewables at speed. As policymakers review Japan’s energy mix over the coming weeks, they must seize the opportunity to align with the net zero goal and target 50% renewable electricity by 2030. This will send the right signals to the market and help improve supply – a win-win for business and government, Helen Clarkson, CEO, the Climate Group
A statement by Kenichi Ishida, Managing Officer, Sekisui House, Ltd., Toshihiro Kawakami, Leader, Environmental Management Department, LIXIL Corporation, and Kahori Miyake, Executive Officer, CSR & Communication, AEON CO., Ltd, Co-Chairs of JCLP – Regional Delivery Partner for RE100, says, We are pleased that the number of RE100 Japanese member companies has reached 50. 29 are JCLP members. We are getting into the very important transition stage for Japanese companies to be competitive, and this turning point depends on the success of bringing renewable energy to the next phase. There is enough potential to generate renewable energy to cover the total consumption in Japan. We hope that the number of RE100 member companies will increase further, aiming for carbon neutrality in 2050. JCLP, as a regional partner of RE100, is supporting Japanese companies who are interested in joining RE100.
