The Kao Group has set new sustainability goals—and has a target to reduce its carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions to zero by 2040. And by 2050, the company plans to be carbon-negative.

Kao is now seeking to upgrade the 2.0°C target certification it was awarded by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi)*1 in 2019 to 1.5°C. It has also signed up to the “Business Ambition for 1.5°C” initiative, which was launched by the UN Global Compact, the SBTi, and We Mean Business.

This is a corporate pledge for businesses to set science-based targets aligned with limiting global temperature rise to 1.5°C instead of 2.0°C. In addition, Kao is aiming to join RE100, an international program which brings together hundreds of large businesses committed to 100% renewable electricity.

Reducing Environmental Impact Through Product Lifecycles

The Kao Group has been working with a variety of stakeholders to reduce the environmental impact throughout their products lifecycles.

In April 2019, Kao defined a sustainable lifestyle in an age of increasing consumer needs as the Kirei Lifestyle, and developed the Kirei Lifestyle Plan (KLP), a new ESG Strategy.

The Japanese word 'kirei' describes something that is both clean and beautiful. For Kao, Kirei not only encapsulates appearance, but also attitude—to create beauty for oneself, other people, and for the world around us. Mid- to long-term targets have been announced for each of the 19 “Kao Actions” as specified by the KLP, which includes decarbonization.

Recently, Kao’s responsibilities have grown as well as the role it is expected to play in relation to tackling climate change caused by global warming. In order to be able to deliver a Kirei Lifestyle not only to today’s consumers but also to the consumers of the future, Kao has set new decarbonization objectives aimed at the realization of a decarbonized society.