Sustainability | EnvironmentEnvironmental Policy and Environmental Vision

Environmental Policy / TDK Environmental Charter

TDK has established the TDK Environmental Charter, consisting of the Basic Principle on the Environment and the Basic Policy on the Environment, as our entire group's environment policy, aimed at contributing to the sustainable development of society. In line with the Charter, TDK formulated the Environmental Vision and Environmental Action Plan as a fundamental framework for implementing specific environmental activities.

Looking Ahead to 2050

As materiality to be tackled by the Group as a whole, TDK calls for the effective use of energy and increased use of renewable energy toward the realization of net zero CO₂ emissions by 2050, the supply of products and solutions creating clean energy toward the realization of a carbon-free society, and the supply of products and solutions realizing an energy-efficient society through the storage, conversion, and control of energy.
In addition, TDK already achieved carbon neutrality in fiscal 2014 through the concept of offsetting CO₂ emissions from its manufacturing sites by means of TDK products that improve energy efficiency and thereby contribute to CO₂ reduction. Currently TDK is promoting further net zero CO₂ emissions from the perspective of the entire supply chain. Specifically, TDK is strengthening its activities for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, including further expansion of the scope of coverage to include emissions in other Scope 3 categories as well as Scope 1, Scope 2, and Scope 3 Category 11 and the setting of key performance indicators and monitoring indicators, toward the realization of a society with net zero CO₂ emissions by 2050.

As proclaimed in the TDK Environmental Charter, TDK recognizes the importance of adopting measures to counter climate change and respecting biodiversity and the limited resources of the Earth. Under the slogan of “Eco TDK,” TDK will further promote related activities, including the realization of a circular economy.

TDK Environmental Vision 2035

Halving the CO₂ emission basic-unit in a life-cycle perspective by 2035

The TDK Group achieved its carbon neutral target, originally outlined in our third basic environmental action plan “TDK Environmental Action 2020,” far ahead of schedule in fiscal 2014. In 2015, prior to the formulation of our next regular environmental vision, “ Vision 2035,” a corporate commitment keyed to the Company’s centennial year was formulated. In Vision 2035, TDK pledge to strive to achieve further innovation and create value for customers through the delivery of outstanding quality products and se vices, by utilizing the diverse global resources. Based on this corporate motto, TDK will continue to “contribute to culture and industry through creativity”, by revitalizing and protecting the global environment and creating a pleasant and safe society.
Our Environmental Vision comprises one phase of Vision 2035, we envision business operations under the environmental load within natural circulation. According to this idea, the goal of "halving CO2 emissions intensity by fiscal 2035 in comparison with fiscal 2014 under the theme of reducing environmental footprints from a life-cycle perspective" has been formulated as “TDK Environmental Vision 2035.” in 2016.
This stance stems from the belief that minimizing the environmental load in business activities, and revitalizing the natural environment, is the duty of companies that supply products designed to contribute to its customers and the society. Moreover, modeled on the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP 21) Paris Agreement, which seeks to curb global warming by achieving a balance between greenhouse gas emissions and absorption sources, this is also considered the ideal corporate posture for all TDK activities.
Within TDK Environmental Vision 2035, the declaration is made to reduce the environmental load from a lifecycle perspective. This represents an initiative not limited to measures at the manufacturing stage in factories and the use stage for customers, aspects outlined in the conventional TDK Environmental Action 2020 policy. To expand in this way, we deem it critical for all TDK Group employees to share the same vision and move forward with the same objectives in mind. The “revitalizing and protecting the global environment” expressed in this corporate vision refers to the skillful operation of our business hand in hand with the natural environment. Without that commitment, there will be no sustainable development on the horizon. The entire Group shares an Arubeki-Sugata (ideal process) and undertakes voluntary initiatives in pursuit of that vision.

Basic Environmental Action Plan “TDK Environment, Health and Safety Action 2025”

Conceived on the cornerstone of TDK Environmental Vision 2035 was a new basic environmental plan extending through year 2025, namely TDK Environment, Health and Safety Action 2025. The action categories and target figures of "TDK Environment, Health and Safety Action 2025" reflect dual consideration for "backcasting" from TDK Environmental Vision 2035, and continuity and "forecasting" from "TDK Environmental Action 2020".
At present, we are integrating the environmental load in each action category by CO₂ equivalence and conducting activities toward achievement of the ideal targets outlined in TDK Environmental Vision 2035.
With regard to safety and health as well, steps will be taken to newly stipulate original action categories and goals, thus moving to realize truly safe and healthy workplace environments.

Creating a Framework for Gauging Product Contributions

Expand reduction of CO₂ emissions through products (product contributions) is one of the core initiatives within TDK Environmental Vision 2035 and Environment, Health and Safety Action 2025. To mount potent appeals for the social contributions by TDK products as the fruits of technical initiatives, these product contributions have been calculated and disclosed from TDK Environmental Action 2020 (the Company’s previous medium- to long term plan).
Public awareness activities are also being advanced to gain understanding of the contributions of electronic components as intermediary parts, along with moves to formulate coherent industry standards for calculation methods positioned to serve as the basis for earning appropriate evaluations of product contributions performance, and the results were released in the form of guidance by industry groups.
Based on these results, TDK established the Guideline for Calculation of Product Contributions, supplemented the assessment requirements during the product development stage by adding calculation of product contributions and is promoting the diffusion of global calculation work throughout the entire TDK Group.
In fiscal 2020 TDK’s sustainability activities, including the reduction of CO₂ emissions by its products, were highly acclaimed and commended by customers. Going forward, TDK will continue to establish calculation rules and endeavor to disseminate them throughout the Group.