Toshiba Group is responding to the global environmental issue of climate change by providing products and services to society and customers. In addition to "mitigation measures" to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and to slow the progression of climate change, we believe it is important to promote "adaptation measures" to minimize the adverse effects of climate change that are already occurring.
As a "mitigation measure," Toshiba Group offers comprehensive energy solutions for power supply, such as energy decarbonization and control to ensure efficient use of energy. For products and services that consume energy, we offer energy-efficient products as well as the components that make such products possible. In addition, our digital solutions help to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions of society and of our customers. Through these initiatives, we aim to achieve carbon neutrality throughout our value chain.
As an "adaptation measure," we develop products and services that help to prevent and to mitigate weather-related disasters caused by climate change. We will contribute to create safe, secure cities by having local governments and private companies, which support social infrastructure, utilize our services.
Products and Services Associated with Power Supply
Toshiba Group helps reduce CO2 emissions by developing renewable energy technologies and improving the efficiency of power infrastructure, including power generation as well as power transmission and distribution facilities.
By making the most of our comprehensive strength and technological capabilities to offer products and services for generating energy, transferring energy, storing energy, and using energy smartly in an integrated manner, we will contribute to achieving carbon neutral as a company that designs the form of future energy.
Generating Power
We have delivered a lot of renewable energy (water, wind, geothermal, solar, biomass power generation, etc.) that will not emit CO2 in the stage of generating power, and drive the development of various technologies (for smaller size, lighter weight, higher efficiency, etc.) for further promotion of such energy. In thermal power generation, which emits CO2, we also contribute to reducing CO2 emissions with a technology to separate and capture CO2 from exhaust gas.
Transferring and Storing Power
Wind and solar power generation requires technologies to stably supply power because the amount of power generated is greatly affected by the weather and time of day. Specifically, we can suppress power fluctuations by appropriately controlling the charge and discharge function of storage batteries, hydrogen (power to chemicals: P2C), etc. with the virtual power plant (VPP) technology. We are also working to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by replacing the high-GWP insulating gas used in gas switching equipment installed in power plants and substations with natural gas.
Storing and Using Power Smartly
When more power has been generated than needed, much power can be stored in the form of hydrogen by converting electric power to hydrogen. In addition, the converted hydrogen can be used for power generation again or can be used as fuel for vehicles and vessels.
Cases
Products and Services Associated with Power Consumption
For our own products, Toshiba Group is working to understand and reduce the burden of greenhouse gas emissions in each phase of the product lifecycle.
To help reduce the environmental impacts on society and on the customers who use Toshiba Group products and services, it is important to reduce greenhouse gas emissions during the use phase of the product lifecycle. These efforts will also lead to a reduction in category 11 (GHG emissions during product use), which is the largest category of Scope 3 emissions for Toshiba Group.
Percentages of CO2 emissions from the lifecycle stages of Toshiba Group’s products
For products and services such as social infrastructure products and office equipment that consume significant power, we are working to improve energy consumption efficiency. In addition, power semiconductors are key devices for improving the energy-saving performance of electrical appliances, and they contribute to improving the energy-saving performance both of our own products and those of our customers.
We believe that digital solutions will play an important role in reducing society's greenhouse gas emissions. For example, we provide asset IoT cloud services for factories and plants, helping customers improve energy efficiency in product manufacturing by increasing productivity and more. In addition, by digitizing receipts, we indirectly contribute to reducing society’s greenhouse gas emissions by reducing the use of paper receipts.
Case
Volume of Contribution to Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction
Toshiba Group calculates the volume of greenhouse gas emissions reduction contribution as an indicator of our contributions to realizing carbon neutrality in society through the provision of products and services, and this figure is a target in our Environmental Action Plan. Specifically, we focus on our contribution to society and our customers, comparing greenhouse gas emissions during the use phase before and after introducing our products and services, and the difference is the volume of contribution to greenhouse gas emissions reduction.
The World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) has issued guidance on the volume of greenhouse gas emissions reduction contribution; meanwhile, international standardization is being considered in the electrical and electronics sector, with Toshiba Group participating in such discussions. We will continue to disclose the volume of greenhouse gas emissions reduction contribution while ensuring consistency with national and international rules.
Breakdown of reductions in GHG emissions during product use by business segment (FY2023 (cumulative total))
* Calculated by adding up the annual GHG reduction per product (CO2 equivalent), the quantity delivered to customers, and the product lifecycle.
Adaptation Measures to Avoid the Effect of Climate Change
Toshiba Group is also focusing on promoting "adaptation measures" to prepare for the impacts of climate change, and we are developing products and services that contribute to disaster prevention and mitigation.
As global warming worsens, flood damage caused by heavy rains is increasing worldwide, so Toshiba Group provides highly accurate weather forecast data (e.g., on rainfall) using our advanced weather radar technology and weather data analysis technology. In addition, when torrential rains occur, Toshiba Group contributes to reducing flooding risks with our AI-based rainwater drainage system.