Climate Change
Our Climate Change Targets
Meiji Group 2026 Medium-Term Management Plan
- Data target range or company leading initiatives
- 1, 3: Meiji Holdings Co., Ltd. and its 31 subsidiaries and affiliates
- 2: Meiji Holdings Co., Ltd. and its 32 subsidiaries and affiliates
| Major initiatives | Metrics | Results | Targets | Medium to long-term targets | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FYE March 2025 | FYE March 2026 | FYE March 2027 | FYE March 2031 | FYE March 2051 | |||
| 1 | Reduce Scope 1 and 2 CO2 emissions by strengthening energy saving and energy creation activities, utilizing carbon credits, etc. | Scope 1, 2 emissions reduction rate (compared to FYE March 2020 as year of reference) |
25.1% | 30.1% | 32% or more | 50% or more | Net-Zero |
| 2 | Reduce CO2 emissions in Scope 3 by reducing GHG emissions in dairy farming, reducing the amount of packaging materials used, and strengthening collaborations with suppliers, etc. | Scope 3 emissions reduction rate (compared to FYE March 2020 as year of reference) |
11.1% | 10.2% | 15% or more | 30% or more | |
| 3 | Promote the transition to renewable energy by expanding the adoption of solar power generation equipment and strengthening the use of electricity derived from renewable energy | Renewable energy ratio | 24.2% | 28.6% | 30% or more | 50% or more | 100% |
Position on Climate Change
The impact of global warming from climate change has resulted in a number of abnormal weather phenomena, including heat waves, dry spells, and concentrated heavy rains. These have caused great damage to the natural environment, including droughts and flooding. The Meiji Group recognizes climate change as a crucial social issue that must be resolved. This is because the Group's business operations originate from the bounty of nature through our value chain.
Meiji Group has set CO2 emissions reduction targets for fiscal years 2030 and 2050 across its entire value chain. The Meiji Group’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction targets “SBT Net-Zero1 and FLAG2” were approved by Science Based Targets (SBT) initiative, a global initiative, on July 5, 2025.
The Meiji Group supports the Paris Agreement, and Japanese laws pertaining to climate change, such as the Act on the Rational Use of Energy and the Act on Promotion of Global Warming Countermeasures, and reports on its progress toward achieving medium- and long-term targets for greenhouse gas emissions and energy consumption every fiscal year.
To encourage greater CO2 reductions, we introduced an internal carbon pricing system in October 2021.
Looking to the future, our efforts to mitigate climate change will continue, and we will focus on introducing energy-saving measures, making use of solar power technology, and purchasing electricity from renewable sources and reducing Scope 3 emissions through collaboration with suppliers and production sites. Meiji Group's target is to attain carbon neutrality by 2050, and we will continue to work towards further reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
CARBON NEUTRALITY BY 2050
Participation in trade associations and Initiatives
The Meiji Group is a member of the Japan Food Industry Center and actively participates in its Sustainability Committee. This center submits policy proposals to the government on critical issues facing the food industry, aiming to promote its healthy development. Through these activities, we are indirectly lobbying government policies on key issues.
Additionally, to stay abreast of the latest information on climate change, we actively participate in seminars organized by government agencies such as the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, the Ministry of the Environment, and the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, as well as industry associations. This ensures that our climate change strategies remain consistent with national and industry trends.
Furthermore, we regularly check our climate change strategies and the activities of the organizations we affiliate to ensure alignment between them. If any discrepancies are identified, they are discussed and resolved in the Group Environmental Conference, which is linked to the Group Sustainability Committee chaired by our CEO. This process ensures consistency between our climate change policies and the positions of the organizations we affiliate.
Reduce CO2 Emissions
| Unit | FYE 3/2022 | FYE 3/2023 | FYE 3/2024 | FYE 3/2025 | FYE 3/2026 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Energy consumption volume (Japan) | oil:10,000 kL | 24.0 | 23.5 | 21.5 | 20.5 | 19.9 | ||
| TJ | 9,424 | 9,236 | 8,315 | 7,956 | 7,703 | |||
| Per unit of sales2 | TJ/hundred million yen | 0.9 | 1.0 | 0.9 | 0.9 | 0.8 | ||
| Energy consumption volume (Global) | Electricity consumption | MWh | 772,659 | 760,199 | 757,827 | 774,189 | 756,451 | |
| Unit | FYE 3/2022 | FYE 3/2023 | FYE 3/2024 | FYE 3/2025 | FYE 3/2026 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Japan | ten thousand tons of CO2 | 43.7 | 42.4 | 36.5 | 34.9 | 32.6 |
| Overseas | ten thousand tons of CO2 | 9.9 | 9.1 | 10.6 | 11.2 | 10.4 |
| Total | ten thousand tons of CO2 | 53.6 | 51.5 | 47.1 | 46.2 | 43.1 |
| Per Unit of Sales2 | t-CO2/hundred million yen | 44.8 | 48.4 | 42.7 | 40.0 | 36.7 |
(Unit: ten thousand tons of CO2)
| FYE 3/2022 | FYE 3/2023 | FYE 3/2024 | FYE 3/2025 | FYE 3/2026 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Japan | 22.1 | 20.5 | 17.7 | 17.3 | 16.4 |
| Overseas | 2.4 | 2.4 | 3.2 | 2.8 | 2.7 |
| Total | 24.5 | 22.9 | 20.9 | 20.0 | 19.1 |
(Unit: ten thousand tons of CO2)
| FYE 3/2022 | FYE 3/2023 | FYE 3/2024 | FYE 3/2025 | FYE 3/2026 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Japan | 21.6 | 21.9 | 18.8 | 17.7 | 16.2 |
| Overseas | 7.5 | 6.6 | 7.5 | 8.5 | 7.7 |
| Total | 29.1 | 28.5 | 26.3 | 26.1 | 24.0 |
(Unit: ten thousand tons of CO2)
| Category | FYE 3/2022 | FYE 3/2023 | FYE 3/2024 | FYE 3/2025 | FYE 3/2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Japan | 302.7 | 348.4 | 420.5 | 415.3 | 430.1 |
| Overseas | 20.0 | 42.1 | 46.0 | 48.9 | 53.0 |
| Total | 322.7 | 390.5 | 466.5 | 464.2 | 483.1 |
Improved Environmental Data Management
We continue to improve our environmental data management system, which provides evidence of our initiatives dealing with climate change and global warming. In addition to consolidated group data collection and disclosure, we have an independent entity draft group management standards and perform audits to verify our environmental management system operations, as well as improve our data transparency and reliability.
Independent practitioner's assurance
We have obtained the independent practitioner's assurance for the energy consumption volume (Global), the CO2 emissions Scope 1 (Global), the CO2 emissions Scope 2 (Global) and the CO2 emissions Scope 3 Category 1 (Japan) in FY2024 by Ernst & Young ShinNihon LLC to improve the reliability of the data.
- Environmental Data FYE 3/2025 (as of August 7, 2025)
- Independent Practitioner's Assurance Report (dated August 7, 2025)
Promotion of calculation of the carbon footprint of product (CFP)1
The Meiji Group calculates and visualizes GHG emissions in each process to help prioritize initiatives.
As specific initiatives for the dairy sector, we used methods unparalleled within the Japanese dairy industry to calculate CFP (for Meiji Organic Milk). In addition to referencing the Environmental Product Declaration (EPD), a program operated based on international standards, and guidelines issued by the International Dairy Federation (IDF) global Carbon Footprint standard for the dairy sector, we also used actual data from dairy farmers. In the confectionery sector, we participated in the Ministry of the Environment’s model business for the carbon footprint initiatives of product and services.
As part of those initiatives, we calculated our CFP for Meiji Milk Chocolate （50g）based on ISO14067.
Moving forward, we will expand CFP calculations to other products and make efforts to reduce GHG emissions with the knowledge gained from these initiatives.
Meiji Organic Milk
Meiji Milk Chocolate（50g）
- Meiji Begins Initiatives to Visualize CO2 Emissions from Meiji Milk Chocolate
- Started to Calculate the Carbon Footprint of Milk Production, the First Effort in Japan
Energy-Saving Measures
The Meiji Group is committed to energy conservation across all aspects of its business activities in order to prevent global warming, which has a significant impact on the global environment, and to realize a decarbonized society. As one example, we are promoting the replacement and installation of high-efficiency equipment, as well as the transition to fuels with lower CO2 emissions.
Introduction of Highly Efficient Energy-Saving Equipment
Some of our plants have introduced equipment covered by Japan's Top Runner Program. In addition, we are further promoting energy efficiency by combining such measures with operational improvements, including the reduction of operating hours.
Energy-efficient transformer at Meiji Seika Pharma's Gifu Plant
The transition to low-carbon fuels
At Meiji Co., Ltd.'s Kyushu Plant, fuel has been converted from heavy oil to LNG (liquefied natural gas), while at the Wakkanai Plant, LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) has been replaced with LNG through the introduction of satellite facilities and high-efficiency gas boilers. LNG contains almost no carbon monoxide or sulfur and is widely known as a fuel that emits significantly lower levels of carbon dioxide, which is a major contributor to global warming, and nitrogen oxides, which cause air pollution, during combustion compared to coal and oil. This fuel conversion has reduced CO2 emissions by approximately 900 tons per year.
Meiji Co., Ltd. Wakkanai Plant
Eco-Friendly Logistics Initiatives Such as the Introduction of Modal Shift
The Meiji Group aims to reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions by increasing load efficiency. In urban areas, we are working to improve load efficiency in the distribution of our products. In regional areas, we promote joint distribution with other manufacturers, thereby improving load efficiency and achieving CO2 reductions through enhanced transportation efficiency.
In addition, we are promoting modal shift initiatives, including a modal shift for transportation from Hokkaido to the Tokyo–Nagoya–Osaka regions to maritime and rail transport. As a result, the modal shift ratio (ton-kilometer basis) reached 28.6% in FY2024.
At logistics warehouses, we are reducing electricity consumption by converting lighting (mercury and fluorescent lamps) to LED.
In refrigerated warehouses, we are also working to reduce CO2 emissions by systematically replacing refrigeration equipment using specific fluorocarbons (CFCs and HCFCs) with energy-efficient systems that use natural refrigerants or alternative fluorocarbons.
Initiatives to transition to eco-friendly vehicles (including hybrid vehicles) and reduce the number of vehicles
Since fiscal 2012, we have been gradually replacing our company vehicles with eco-friendly vehicles. In addition, we are reducing the number of vehicles by implementing a shared-use system in which multiple employees share the same vehicles.
Reduction of Scope 3 Emissions
As it is difficult to achieve carbon neutrality through the Meiji Group's efforts alone, we are working in collaboration with suppliers and producers to reduce CO2 and other GHG emissions. For primary suppliers, we assess their CO2 reduction targets and initiatives and conduct engagement based on this understanding. In addition, we promote initiatives with producers upstream in the supply chain.
Action for raw milk and dairy ingredients
The Meiji Group is striving to achieve sustainable dairy farming by working to improve social issues impacting the dairy industry. The GHG emissions resulting from dairy farming (the methane and nitrous oxide (N2O) resulting from cow belching and cow manure) are a social issue. In addition to promoting reductions in GHG emissions, we are aiming to link initiatives to sustainability in the dairy farming industry by positioning reduction initiatives as a new revenue source for dairy farmers.
As part of those efforts, we launched initiatives aimed at reducing N2O derived from manure produced during dairy farming and maintaining the livelihoods of dairy farmers using amino acid-balanced feed, one of the methodologies defined in the J-Credit Scheme1. In August 2023, we participated in the "Doto Carbon Farming Study Group" which promotes carbon farming2 in Betsukai Town, Japanese largest milk producer, as a verification field to reduce GHG emissions in dairy.
Overview of initiatives
From March 2023, The Meiji group are collaborating with Ajinomoto Co., Inc. to launch a project aimed at reducing N2O derived from manure produced during dairy farming via the J-Credit methodology. Using amino acid- balanced feed enables dairy cows to absorb nutrients more efficiently than conventional feed, limiting the N2O emitted from manure due to the excess nutrients. The reduced GHG emissions will be converted to Credits and purchased by the Meiji Group. We will connect the credits to new revenue sources for dairy farmers and offset GHG emissions related to dairy farming along our entire value chain. We will use these initiatives as a opportunity for expanding future collaborations and promoting GHG reductions.
<Business model based on the J-Credit Scheme>
- The Meiji Group and Ajinomoto Co., Inc. started a collaboration to realize sustainable dairy farming
<The activities of the Doto Carbon Farming Study Group>
The Meiji Group has established the "Doto Carbon Farming Study Group" (hereinafter referred to as "Doto CF Study Group") with General Incorporated Association Doto Sustainable Agriculture Promotion Association in order to promote initiatives that lead to GHG emissions reduction in dairy. The Doto CF Study Group will promote evaluation, research, and practice of "Carbon Farming" in Betsukai Town, Hokkaido, the largest milk producer in Japan. The Doto CF Study Group will contribute to the realization of sustainable dairy by increasing carbon storage in soil . This will be the first initiative in Japan in which the local community, local residents, and dairy manufacturers will collaborate to experiment with carbon farming from the dairy and propose to society how the dairy should be in the future. In September 2023, we started a survey of carbon sequestration in the soil at the farms of members of the General Incorporated Association Doto Sustainable Agriculture Promotion Association. In 2024, we measured the effects of cover crops2 and compost application on soil, and this work is continuing in 2025.
The members of the Doto CF Study Group, including the Meiji Group, also participate in the "Hokkaido Carbon Farming Promotion Council " established (May 25, 2023) by the Department of Agriculture, Hokkaido Government as a forum for information exchange and collaboration among a wide range of stakeholders, including producers, industry, academia, government, and financial institution, with the aim of decarbonizing agriculture in Hokkaido. Through this council, the spread of carbon farming is expected to expand throughout Hokkaido.
Kick-off meeting at Betsukai Town Hall on July 14, 2023
Action for Cocoa
We participate in the Cocoa & Forests Initiative, a global partnership for the protection and restoration of forests, and work with the government of Ghana and related organizations to aid forest conservation. In addition, we are working with cocoa farmers in Tomé-Açu, Brazil, to promote agroforestry farming*, a form of agriculture that creates forests, in our forest conservation work.
As Meiji Cocoa Support, our unique cocoa farmer support program, we donate wells, distribute free seedlings, and provide guidance on farm management, activities leading to the conservation of forests that will sequester CO2.
*"Agroforestry farming:" A combination of the words "agriculture" and "forestry." This is an agricultural method in which a diverse set of agriculture and forestry is cultivated in keeping with the natural ecosystem on land after trees have been harvested.
Action for Palm oil
Promoting replacement to RSPO-certified palm oil
We have achieved 100% replacement to palm oil certified by the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) by FY2023. This helps prevent deforestation, thereby promoting CO2 capture.
Action for Plastic
By reducing the weight of plastic containers and packaging, we are working to reduce CO2 emissions during product manufacturing, delivery, and disposal. We are also working with suppliers and others to switch their container and packaging raw materials from fossil fuel-derived plastics to recycled plastics and bioplastics, which have a smaller environmental impact, while still ensuring product quality.
In February 2021, we began blending bioplastics into straws, plastic cups, and other containers and packaging. Furthermore, from July 2022, we will gradually switch to bioplastics for use in the caps of Meiji Oishii Gyunyu and other products. As a result, we reduce CO2 emissions from containers by approximately 10% to 15%* compared to conventional methods.
*Our CO2 reduction rate is certified by Carbon Trust.
Action for paper raw materials
By FY2023, we have switched 100% of product containers and packaging materials to eco-friendly paper raw materials (FSC® -certified or other forest certified paper, including recycled paper). This helps prevent deforestation, thereby promoting CO2 capture.
Introduction of Internal Carbon Pricing (ICP)
The Meiji Group has implemented an internal carbon pricing (ICP) framework for capital investments that contribute to reducing CO2 emissions. An internal carbon price of JPY 15,000 per t-CO2 is applied, and the resulting emission reductions are monetized as cost benefits and incorporated into investment decision-making.
Promotion of Renewable Energy
Renewable power sources such as solar, wind, and biomass power not only help reduce consumption of non-renewable resources like petroleum, also help curb emissions of greenhouse gases including CO2. The Meiji Group is contributing to fight against climate change through a range of energy-related initiatives.
Introduction of renewable energy facilities, including solar power generation systems
The Meiji Group is promoting the installation of solar power generation systems as part of its efforts to reduce CO2 emissions.
| Number of Sites | Sites | |
|---|---|---|
| Meiji Co., Ltd. (Non-consolidated) |
11 | Tokachi Plant/ Eniwa Plant/ Tohoku Plant/ Moriya Plant/ Gunma Plant, Gunma Nutritionals Plant/ Sakado Plant/ Aichi Plant/ Kyoto Plant/ Kansai Plant, Kansai Ice Cream Plant, Kansai Nutritionals Plant/ Osaka Plant/ Kyushu Plant |
| Meiji Co., Ltd. (Domestic Group Companies) |
3 | Tochigi Meiji Milk Products Co., Ltd./ Tokai Meiji Co., Ltd./ Meiji Oils and Fats Co., Ltd./ Meiji Feed Co., Ltd. |
| Meiji Co., Ltd. (Overseas Group Companies) |
1 | PT MEIJI FOOD INDONESIA |
| Meiji Seika Pharma Co., Ltd. (Non-consolidated) |
1 | The Lilyx Training Center |
| Meiji Seika Pharma Co., Ltd. (Group Companies) |
2 | Thai Meiji Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd./ Meiji Pharma Spain, S.A. |
| KM Biologics Co., Ltd. | 2 | Kikuchi Research Center/ Distribution Center |
| Total | 20 |
The number of sites installing solar power generation systems and their total generation capacity as of FY2024 are shown below.
Sites Fitted with Solar Power Generating Equipment in FY2023
Moriya Plant (Operations commenced in July 2024.)
KM Biologics Co., Ltd. Kikuchi Research Center
Purchase of electricity from renewable sources
The Meiji Group is also working to reduce CO2 emissions by systematically procuring electricity from renewable energy sources.
The sites where renewable-energy-derived electricity is purchased (FY2024 results) are as follows.
| Number of Sites | Site Name (100% Renewable Electricity Sites in Bold Italics) |
|
|---|---|---|
| Meiji Co., Ltd. (Non-consolidated) |
6 | Aichi Plant/ Tokai Plant/ Sakado Plant/ Saitama Plant/ Tokachi Plant/ Hachioji Research Laboratory |
| Meiji Co., Ltd. (Domestic Group Companies) |
4 | Donan Shokuhin Co., Ltd./ Gunma Meiji Milk Products Co., Ltd./ Tokai Meiji Co., Ltd./ Meiji Chewing Gum Co., Ltd. |
| Meiji Co., Ltd. (Overseas Group Companies) |
5 | Meiji Seika (Singapore) Pte. Ltd./ Meiji America Inc./ Meiji Confectionery (Shanghai) Co./ Meiji Ice Cream (Guang Zhou) Co., Ltd./ MEIJI FOOD (GUANGZHOU) CO.,LTD. |
| Meiji Seika Pharma Co., Ltd. (Non-consolidated) |
2 | Gifu Plant/ Pharmaceutical Research Center |
| Meiji Seika Pharma Co., Ltd. (Group Companies) |
3 | Ohkura Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd./ Medreich Limited/ Thai Meiji Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. |
| KM Biologics Co., Ltd. | 4 | Headquarters and Kumamoto Production Center/ Kikuchi Research Center/ Koshi Production Center/ Aso Production Center |
| Total | 24 |
The ratio of renewable electricity (FY2024 results) has progressed as follows.
Utilization of bioenergy
At the Sakado Plant of Meiji Co., Ltd., methane gas generated through anaerobic digestion is utilized as fuel for boilers and other equipment.
In addition, at the Tokachi Plant of Meiji Co., Ltd., a facility has been introduced to treat wastewater using methane fermentation of whey residue generated during cheese production. The introduction of this facility enables the Tokachi Plant to reduce annual industrial waste by approximately 54%* and CO2 emissions by approximately 5.9%*.
Eliminate Specific CFCs
The reduction of emissions of specific CFCs, such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), which contribute to global warming by depleting the ozone layer, has become a critical social issue.
In response, the Meiji Group, in line with the Montreal Protocol, is working to reduce the risk of leakage of these substances through regular equipment inspections, while also promoting the transition to natural refrigerants and advancing measures to address climate change.
The trend in the reduction rate of holdings of specific CFCs (as of FY2024), aimed at the complete phase-out of specific CFCs by FY2030, is shown below.
Reduction Rate
Out of 56 locations, 25 have completely eliminated the use of specified fluorocarbons.