Climate Change Data

Environmental Metrics

ESG Focus Areas

• Strengthening bonds between people and communities
• Health and wellbeing
• The environment
• Offering safe and reliable products
• Human rights and labor practices
• Fair operating practices

Environmental Achievements

• In 2013 CO2 emissions from manufacturing, distribution and office operations in Japan were reduced by 55% from the 1990 level
• Kirin Beverage introduced the R100PET bottle—a sustainable 100% recycled PET bottle—for its Kirin Gogo-no-Kocha Oishii Muto. The R100PET bottle uses 100% mechanically recycled PET materials free of impurities. Compared with existing PET bottles using petroleum-derived materials, a R100PET bottle has 90% less petroleum-derived materials and 60% less CO2 emissions.
• Reduced water intensity: 4.9% at Kirin Brewery, 5.5% at Lion, and 2.0% at Brasil Kirin.

Social Achievements

• Launched Hyoketsu Wanashi (Japanese pear), a drink using nashi pears grown in Fukushima Prefecture, supporting the agricultural sector of Fukushima.
• Kirin KIZUNA Relief-Support Project: a six billion yen commitment over three years to reconstruction efforts in the Tohoku region, focusing on restoring local food culture, bringing smiles to children, and enhancing mental and physical wellbeing.
• Brasil Kirin’s Qualifica Project aimed at improving the local employment rate and enhancing the skills of employees.

Governance Achievements

• Established a unified system to promote customer service across Kirin Brewery, Kirin Beverage, and Mercian.
• Established the Diversity Promotion Office to create a corporate culture that actively promotes diversity.
• Participation in the United Nations Global Compact.

Climate Goals & Targets

Environmental Challenges

• Lifestyle-induced diseases
• Alcohol-related problems
• Weakening ties between people and within communities
• Securing supplies of high-quality raw materials and water
• Human rights risks in overseas Group companies

Mitigation Strategies

• Product development focusing on health benefits (Kirin Plus-i brand)
• Public awareness campaigns on responsible drinking
• Voluntary standards on alcohol advertising and promotion
• Partnerships with communities to sustainably use biological resources
• Risk management system to identify and monitor human rights risks

Supply Chain Management

Supplier Audits: Annual supplier assessments

Responsible Procurement

• Kirin Group Supplier CSR Guidelines
• Supplier CSR Confirmation

Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities

Physical Risks

• Not disclosed

Transition Risks

• Not disclosed

Opportunities

• Not disclosed

Reporting Standards

Frameworks Used: Global Reporting Initiative (GRI)

Certifications: Null

Third-party Assurance: Not disclosed

UN Sustainable Development Goals

• Not disclosed

Not disclosed

Sustainable Products & Innovation

• R100PET bottle

Awards & Recognition

• Inclusion in the Dow Jones Sustainability Index 2013
• Inclusion in the FTSE4Good Index
• Various awards for environmental achievements and R&D

Environmental Metrics

ESG Focus Areas

• Sustainable use of biological resources
• Sustainable use of water resources
• Sustainable recycling of containers and packaging
• Overcoming climate change

Environmental Achievements

• Reduced GHG emissions by -18% (Scope 1+2) and -1% (Scope 3) compared to 2019.
• Increased ratio of renewable energy in plant purchased electric power to 27%.
• Achieved 100% use of FSC-certified paper in paper containers and office paper for alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages businesses in Japan.
• Increased ratio of recycled resin for PET bottles to 8.3%.
• Reduced food waste by -92% compared with 2015 levels.

Social Achievements

• Supported Sri Lankan tea farms to obtain Rainforest Alliance certification (94 large farms, 120 small farms).
• Supported coffee farms in Vietnam to acquire Rainforest Alliance certification (350 robusta, 309 arabica).

Governance Achievements

• Incorporated environmental targets into CSV Commitment and performance-linked remuneration for senior officers.

Climate Goals & Targets

Environmental Challenges

• Decline in yields of major agricultural products due to climate change.
• Disruptions to operations owing to floods and droughts.
• Negative impact of PET bottles on natural capital.
• Increase in energy costs due to carbon pricing.
• Concerns surrounding the destruction of forests.

Mitigation Strategies

• Brewing technology that does not rely on barley.
• Mass plant propagation technologies.
• Support for farms to acquire certification for sustainable agriculture.
• GHG emissions reduction.
• Expansion of mechanical and chemical recycling.
• Promotion of sustainable forestry and agriculture.

Supply Chain Management

Responsible Procurement

• Sustainable farming certification (Rainforest Alliance, UTZ).
• RSPO certified palm oil.
• FSC certified paper.

Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities

Physical Risks

• Declining yields of agricultural products.
• Disruptions to operations owing to floods and droughts.
• Increased risk of infectious diseases and heatstroke.

Transition Risks

• Carbon pricing and energy procurement costs.
• Financial impact on agricultural product procurement from carbon pricing.
• Impact on currently held assets.

Opportunities

• Increased market for immunity and health supplements.
• Increased market for non-alcoholic beverages that prevent heatstroke.

Reporting Standards

Frameworks Used: GRI Standards, TCFD Recommendations, TNFD Framework, SASB Standards

Certifications: FSC, Rainforest Alliance, RSPO, Climate Active, Toitū carbon zero

UN Sustainable Development Goals

• Goal 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation)
• Goal 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy)
• Goal 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production)
• Goal 13 (Climate Action)
• Goal 15 (Life on Land)

Kirin's initiatives contribute to these SDGs through various environmental and social programs.

Sustainable Products & Innovation

• R100 PET bottles.
• Low-malt and no-malt beer products.
• Products with functional claims (e.g., LC Plasma).

Awards & Recognition

• CDP A-List (climate change and water security).
• CDP Supplier Engagement Rating Leader Board.
• WorldStar Packaging Awards.
• Kinoshita Prize.
• Green Cities Awards.
• Nikkei SDGs Management Grand Prix.