Hitachi Rail has announced that it has delivered a 30.5% cut in carbon emissions for 2020-21*. The global transport company achieved the major reduction, even after the impact of COVID-19 was neutralised, primarily by improving energy management activities and higher use of renewable energy.
The news comes as the firm launches its new CSR & Sustainability report (2021). The company’s first fully global integrated analysis of its sustainability activities details how it continues to reduce its carbon emissions from its activities and improves transport around the world, as part of its wider Decarbonisation Strategy.
Looking to the future, the report sets a direction of travel for further reductions of CO2. An important part of the plans is the Sustainable Facility programme that includes: investment in solar PV at facilities, 100% renewable energy purchase agreements, increasing access to EVs for staff, and circular economy principles to reduce waste.
Through continued action to cut CO2 equivalent emission, the Rail Group is helping achieve Hitachi Ltd’s global commitment to achieve Net Zero by 2030 and carbon neutrality across its entire value chain by 2050.
To underline the importance Hitachi places on decarbonising society and tackling climate change it is a Principal Sponsor COP26 conference, which begins today (1 Nov). At the conference in Glasgow, Hitachi Rail leaders will be talking to government and business leaders about its solutions to decarbonise transport; these include its world leading battery and electric trains, and Mobility as a Service solutions to make public transport more attractive.
Andrew Barr, Hitachi Rail Group CEO, said: “This cut in CO2 by almost one-third shows that we’re really serious about reducing our environmental impact. We’re putting our Decarbonisation Strategy at the heart of our business and investing to deliver it.
“Hitachi Rail is on an important journey to become a climate change innovator. This means decarbonising our immediate business, as well as working with our customers and suppliers to deliver attractive low carbon forms of transport – modern battery or electric trains, for example – to persuade more people to switch from cars and planes to trains.”
Ulderigo Zona, Chief CSR & Sustainability Officer, said: “We’re pleased that these results make a meaningful contribution to decarbonising our business, and includes all our facilities around the world. But if we want to achieve net-zero, we have more that we must do.
“I’m excited about our future global initiatives, including investments in solar panels, circular economy principles, and partnering with our suppliers and customers to decarbonise across our entire value chain.”
*The period covered by the report includes financial year 2020 – April 1, 2020 to March 31, 2021.
Hitachi Rail’s Sustainability report shows how is reducing its emissions in line with the Science Based Targets:
- Scope 1 emissions, which come directly from the company’s facilities, fell by 39.7%. The reduction was achieved by the transition to more sustainable energy uses, particularly at Hitachi Rail’s manufacturing facilities.
- Scope 2 emissions, covering energy purchased by third parties, fell by 4.8%, driven by the implementation of an energy efficiency programme across European sites.
- Scope 3 emissions, covering upstream and downstream value chain emissions included procured products and services from suppliers or those delivered by Hitachi Rail, fell by 68%, driven by a significant reduction in air travel in favour of virtual meetings.
Although this emissions reduction represents progress, Hitachi Rail recognises there is more to be done be done to achieve carbon neutrality. Future decarbonisation initiatives being investigated by the company include investment in solar PV farms at its manufacturing and maintenance facilities, creating multi-modal networks using EVs at major sites and through the company car fleet policy for employees.
The firm is also enhancing its Life Cycle Assessment principles for new product design and improving supply chain management through its partnership with independent sustainability ratings agency, Ecovadis.
Photo credit: Hitachi Rail
