Climate Action
Because we all play a part in climate change, we should all be committed to mitigating its impact.
Making our climate the priority
As global temperatures rise due to the increasing concentration of greenhouse gases (GHGs), we are witnessing extreme weather events, rising sea levels, and widespread ecological damage. At Sharp, we recognise the urgency of addressing climate change and are committed to taking action to mitigate its impact. To this end, we are intensifying our efforts with the goal of achieving net zero CO₂ emissions in all Sharp business activities by 2050.
On this page, you’ll learn more about our sustainability initiatives, from reducing emissions and transitioning to renewable energy, developing innovative clean energy solutions and promoting a circular economy.
Our climate action focuses on
- Reducing GHG emissions
- Increasing the use of renewable energy
- Prioritising recyclability
- Making supply chains safe and sustainable
- Advancing global climate initiatives
Through the Science Based Targets initiative, we are ensuring measurable progress. For instance, Sharp Group’s GHG emissions from business activities were reduced by 13.9% in fiscal 2023, totalling 1,175,000 tonnes of CO₂, compared to the previous fiscal year.
Our strategy includes improving factory efficiency, adopting renewable energy, and transitioning to eco-friendly transport options. Each production base is strengthening efforts to optimise energy efficiency and reduce emissions. This involves enhancing all equipment and systems – ranging from production lines to utilities, such as electricity, gas, and water. In particular, our energy-intensive LCD and electronic component plants are key areas of focus for improvement.
Along with installing solar power systems across plants and other sites, our teams are actively collaborating to minimise electricity required during the course of the day – and lower our overall energy usage.
Our sustainability initiatives
Producing clean energy
Beyond actively upgrading our facilities, services, and products to increase sustainability, our goal is to achieve 100% renewable energy across all business activities. An example of this is our manufacturing base in China, which generated 5,511,960 kWh of renewable energy in 2023 fiscal year.
In alignment with our Sharp Eco Vision and RE100, we are accelerating efforts to produce more clean energy than the total amount consumed across our supply chain.
We are focused on three core areas:
- Solar Power: Expanding solar installations across facilities for more renewable energy production
- Electric Vehicles: Transitioning company fleets to electric vehicles to produce less GHGs
- RE100: Preparing to join the RE100 initiative, committing to achieving 100% renewable energy
Saving energy through product design
At Sharp, sustainability influences every stage of our product design, ensuring reduced energy consumption and a lower carbon footprint
Our energy-efficient multifunction printers reduce standby-mode energy usage by 40%, similarly our innovative zero-watt ePaper displays consume no power when not in use, setting a new standard for energy efficiency.
High-efficiency solar modules maximise energy generation from smaller areas by leveraging advanced technology. Additionally, our displays are shipped with energy-saving presets that minimise energy consumption and extend product lifespans. We further complement these efforts by designing 100% recyclable packaging for our displays.
Protecting the environment
At Sharp, energy efficiency and resource conservation are central to our production processes, supporting our Net Zero by 2050 pledge. We adhere to strict environmental, health, and safety standards, to minimise risks and ensure compliance. Chemical safety remains a top priority, with controlled practices that reduce consumption without compromising efficiency.
In fiscal 2023, we reduced water usage by 6% and new water consumption by 9% compared to the previous year. Through a closed-loop recycling system, all discharged water is collected and reused, maintaining a recycling rate of at least 60%.
We also strive to eliminate hazardous substances within our products, avoiding heavy metals and rare earth elements to minimise environmental impact. By monitoring potentially harmful materials, we ensure these substances are kept to a minimum, reinforcing our commitment to environmental and human health.
Reducing packaging
Our commitment to sustainability extends across our supply chain. We’ve made significant strides in reducing our environmental impact through smarter packaging and transportation strategies.
For example, we have already reduced plastic packaging across our latest MFPs by 17% while Display product packaging is now 100% recyclable. By optimising Display packaging sizes, we have reduced material usage and cut freight costs, saving up to 35% in CO₂ emissions from transport. These emissions have been cut further by reduction in airfreight volumes – the result of switching to suppliers located closer to factories.
Investing in recyclability
Recyclability is at the core of Sharp’s commitment to sustainability. We ensure our products are designed with the environment in mind, incorporating recyclable materials across various technologies.
For instance, our toner cartridges are crafted to meet Waste, Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) guidelines, achieving 97% recyclability. We are increasing the recycled content and recyclability of our products and aim to use 50% recycled plastic in MFP production, while our solar panels are made from recyclable materials such as glass, aluminium, and silicon. Our Digital Signage Displays feature a recyclable metal chassis, achieving a 97.4% recycling rate and supporting a circular economy approach.
By embedding these practices into our manufacturing processes, Sharp is making substantial progress in taking action to reduce environmental impact.
Advancing sustainability
Sharp is dedicated to advancing sustainability through innovative climate financing and solar technology solutions. These efforts are key to creating a more sustainable future while driving impactful environmental solutions.
Innovative solutions set new standards in solar technology
Two ground-breaking compound technologies have the potential to significantly influence the future of solar energy.
- Tandem-Junction/Silicon Stacked Solar Cells
The next level in compound technology is a combination of tandem double-junction solar cell modules and silicon solar cell modules, with an outstanding conversion efficiency of 33.66%, The prototype solar cell module has achieved high efficiency by converting light of various wavelengths into energy. Improving efficiency with Triple-Junction Solar Cells
Sharp’s triple-junction solar cells achieve an outstanding conversion efficiency of 32.65%. These cells have already proven their worth in space applications and recently powered JAXA’s (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) lunar mission in January 2024.We have built a partnership with JAXA for the past 50 years, supplying solar cells for space. During this time, we have deepened our knowledge of solar power generation, refined our technology, and are proud to have played a part in space exploration.
Going forward, Sharp will continue to conduct research and development to improve solar cell efficiency with a view to installing them in electric vehicles and mobile equipment. These ground breaking developments highlight our leadership in creating a cleaner, greener future.
Carbon Capture Partnership
Sharp’s Carbon Capture Partnership demonstrates our dedication to sustainability by supporting projects beyond our immediate value chain.
Through our partnership with Atmoz, we invest in carbon capture initiatives like the Brandon Project, which removes carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and repurposes it, combined with other materials, into manufactured limestone. This aligns with the Sharp Eco Vision, our roadmap to achieve net zero emissions by 2050 and promote green technology innovation.
