YKK Corporation is chipping away at its sustainability goals.
The Japanese zipper and trims manufacturer announced this week that it has achieved a 56.2 percent decrease in Scope 1 and 2 emissions and a 32.7 percent reduction in Scope 3 emissions for FY2023, in comparison to the FY2018 baseline figures.
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This surpasses YKK’s target, recognized by SBTi, to half the company’s Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2030.
Part of YKK’s strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions is through increasing its use of electricity derived from renewable energy sources and installing solar power generation equipment. The company is also expanding the adoption of energy-saving production equipment and plant infrastructure facilities.
The CDP “A List” rated company transitioned six additional sites to 100 percent renewable energy this past fiscal year, bringing the global count to 37 YKK sites operating on green energy. The proportion of renewable energy in the company’s overall electricity mix has increased from 46.1 percent in FY2022 to 56.5 percent in FY2023.
In 2020, YKK unveiled Sustainability Vision 2050, objectives across five key areas (climate change, material resources, water resources, chemical management, and respect for people) that aligned with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. YKK said it is revising and adding new KPIs to “accelerate efforts towards realizing a circular society, focusing on biodiversity and resource circulation.” The updated sustainability strategy will be published in August.
“Going forward, under the YKK Sustainability Vision 2050, which aims to achieve climate neutrality and coexistence with nature by 2050, we will continue to focus strongly on climate change, biodiversity, and resource recycling, including promoting the use of sustainable materials, and actively address environmental issues in the apparel industry throughout our supply chain,” said Asako Yoshioka, VP and general manager, sustainability department, YKK Corporation.