Toshiba Sets Expanded Target to Cut GHG Emissions

Japan's Toshiba Corp. set a new target to reduce its total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, in addition to its current target to cut emissions per unit of production, according to the Toshiba Group Environmental Report 2008, published on October 3, 2008. Up to now, Toshiba has been pursuing a reduction in environmental impacts, while increasing sales, by using relative indexes such as emission reduction targets on a production-unit basis. This new goal is the first time for the company to establish a net reduction target to curb the amount of its absolute emissions.

In the late 1990s, Toshiba was able to significantly reduce its emissions of GHGs other than carbon dioxide (CO2). In recent years, however, the company's CO2 emissions have been on the rise due to the expansion of its semiconductor and liquid-crystal devices business. Under its new reduction scenario, GHG emissions are set to peak at 70 percent or less of the fiscal 1990 level by the end of fiscal 2012, and then decrease by 10 percent from the peak level by fiscal 2025. Toshiba intends to make further efforts to reduce all GHG emissions, particularly CO2 emissions, according to this scenario.

Since its business units that manufacture semiconductors and liquid-crystal devices are expected to continue growing, Toshiba plans to take a variety of measures to achieve its new goal, which will include maximizing energy efficiency in clean rooms, using alternatives to GHGs in production processes, installing GHG abatement systems, and introducing high-efficiency equipment.

- Toshiba Corp. official website
http://www.toshiba.co.jp/index.htm

Posted: 2009/02/28 06:00:15 AM