Contributing to Climate Change Mitigation
The Company supports the TCFD recommendations and the Paris Agreement, the new international framework for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and taking other measures from 2020 onward that replaced the Kyoto Protocol, and aims to proactively disclose climate-related information and achieve its reduction targets. In addition, the Company has set "contributing to the global environment with the power of technology" as a material issue, and will promote the efficient use of electricity through AI and IoT, as well as the introduction, adoption, and expansion of renewable energy to realize a prosperous society through the widespread adoption of renewable energy.
Response to the TCFD recommendations
In April 2020, the Company announced its support for the TCFD (Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures)* recommendations. Based on the TCFD recommendations, the Company strives to proactively disclose and enhance information in accordance with the "Governance, Strategy, Risk Management, and Metrics and Targets" framework recommended by the TCFD for companies.
- [Note]
-
- *Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures: an international initiative established by the Financial Stability Board in 2015 which recommends that companies disclose information about the financial impact of climate-related risks and opportunities on their businesses.
- *
Major initiatives
Climate change mitigation
Initiatives to achieve net zero
The Company is working to achieve net zero by reducing greenhouse gas emissions (Scope 1, 2, and 3) across the entire supply chain to net zero by FY2050.
Group company initiatives
LY Corporation has announced the "2030 Carbon Neutral Declaration" to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the business activities of all LY Corporation Group companies to net zero by FY2030. In June 2022, LY Corporation joined RE100, an international initiative under which participating companies commit to sourcing 100% of the electricity used in their business activities from renewable energy.
Smart forestry R&D
In collaboration with the Forestry and Forest Products Research Institute, the Company has launched a demonstration project aimed at realizing smart forestry through the use of quadruped robots.
The Company will work to address issues such as the declining domestic self-sufficiency rate for timber caused by the aging of Japan's forestry workforce, labor shortages, and a lack of price competitiveness, as well as the environmental impact of reduced CO2 absorption by forests.
External evaluation
CDP Climate Change 2025
"A" rating
The Company has been named to CDP's prestigious "A List," the highest rating awarded by the London-based international non-profit organization, in recognition of its climate-change initiatives and transparent environmental disclosures.
Certified by
the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi)
The short-term target set under "Carbon Neutral 2030" to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2030 and the long-term target set under "net zero" to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2050 have been certified by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) as Science Based Targets (SBTs).
Decarbonization
Management Ranking,
GX (Green Transformation) 500
In the 2025 edition of the "Decarbonization Management Ranking GX500" by The Nikkei, which ranks the decarbonization efforts of the top 500 leading companies, SoftBank Corp. has been ranked first for three consecutive years. The company received high marks for its specific measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and information disclosure.
Adaptation to climate change
| Responding to increasingly severe natural disasters |
To fulfill its responsibilities as a telecommunications operator that supports critical infrastructure in the face of increasingly severe natural disasters, the Company has identified "providing a sustainable communication network" as a material issue and implements measures on an ongoing basis to maintain telecommunications infrastructure in the event of disasters. |
|---|
Reducing greenhouse gas emissions
A range of energy-saving measures such as controlled lighting levels and optimized air-conditioning operating hours in accordance with the Act on the Rational Use of Energy (Energy Saving Act) and the Tokyo Metropolitan Environmental Preservation Ordinance are being implemented at the building that houses the Company's headquarters.
In addition, at the headquarters building, major network centers, and data centers, the Company has obtained ISO 14001 certification, an international standard for environmental management systems, and is actively working to reduce its electricity consumption. The Company optimizes temperature settings of air conditioners at base stations and network centers to enable normal operation of equipment, proactively adopts top-runner energy-efficient equipment, and promotes optimal energy use through the periodic replacement of old or outdated equipment. At data centers in particular, the Company has achieved reductions in electricity consumption through the implementation of heat-flow visualization and localized air conditioning, among other efforts.
Reduction of CO2 emissions
Acquisition of the Eco ICT Mark
The Company supports the aims of the ICT Ecology Guideline Council and has acquired the Eco ICT Mark, which is awarded to corporations that meet certain criteria set by the ICT Ecology Guideline Council. The mark was acquired following a self-assessment by the Company of initiatives to reduce CO2 emissions as a telecommunications operator, such as the formulation of procurement criteria for equipment and services that focus on reducing CO2 emissions.
by telecommunications carriers to reduce CO2 emissions
The Company discloses whether these initiatives have been implemented, together with details of those initiatives, based on the "Self-Assessment Checklist on CO₂ Emissions Reduction Initiatives by Telecommunications Operators and Others."
Required items
| Creation of a voluntary environmental action plan, etc. | |
|---|---|
| Evaluation item | Implementation status and initiative details |
| Have you formulated and put into operation a voluntary environmental action plan which describes various initiatives for the purpose of reducing CO2 emissions through energy conservation? | In addition to enacting environmental action guidelines to engage in the maintenance and preservation of the environment, the Company has established environmental targets for the entire company which include the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, the promotion of paperless practices, the proper disposal of industrial waste, and the implementation of green procurement and environmental education programs. |
| Does the voluntary environmental action plan incorporate specific initiatives which describe various numerical targets for the purpose of reducing CO2 emissions through energy conservation? | As an environmental target, the Company has established a numerical target for reducing greenhouse gas emissions which is being undertaken by the entire company. |
| In addition to internally and externally publicizing the voluntary environmental action plan, are you engaging in activities to educate and communicate with employees to strive to improve their environmental awareness? | The Company has published its Environmental Action Guidelines and environmental targets on this website. Moreover, this information is posted on the CSR page of the Company's intranet for the employees while also striving to improve the awareness of each individual employee by providing regular e-learning and the dissemination of educational information about environmental awareness. |
| Are you releasing information about the status of implementation and achievement of various initiatives described in the voluntary environmental action plan? | The Company publishes information on its environmental initiatives in the "Environment" section of this web site. |
| Procurement-related initiatives | |
| Evaluation item | Implementation status and initiative details |
| Have you created any procurement standards for ICT equipment and data centers based on the evaluation criteria stipulated in these guidelines, and are you conducting procurement in accordance with those standards? | In order to promote the introduction of products which help reduce CO2 emissions, the Company has established "Green Procurement Guidelines" that describe its basic approach to green procurement for its business partners and carries out procurement activities in accordance with those guidelines. |
| Are you conducting green procurement and other forms of procurement which consider energy conservation for business equipment, goods, and distribution used in the office? | The Company promotes the procurement of environmentally friendly products, such as those compliant with the Act on Promoting Green Procurement, particularly in categories like stationery and office supplies. |
| Promotion system | |
| Evaluation item | Implementation status and initiative details |
| Have you established a department or person in charge of initiatives to reduce CO2 emissions through energy conservation? | The Company works to reduce greenhouse gas emissions across the entire company through a secretariat run by the Sustainability Planning & Management Office. |
| Are you appropriately assessing the status of implementation and achievement of targets, etc. listed in the voluntary environmental action plan while also maintaining a system to perform internal audits? | The Company has obtained ISO 14001 certification and, in accordance with its processes, sets and reviews environmental targets as appropriate, checks implementation and achievement status, and conducts internal audits. The Company maintains a system to ensure that this PDCA cycle for its environmental management system is properly executed. |
Optional items
| Initiatives for other environmental measures | |
|---|---|
| Evaluation item | Implementation status and initiative details |
| Does the company engage in environmentally friendly initiatives in addition to energy conservation efforts? | The Company is actively working to promote higher recycling rates for used mobile phones, reduce the use of packaging boxes and bundled paper materials for mobile phones, and reduce waste from telecommunications equipment and construction materials. |
| Does the company engage in environmental conservation activities in cooperation with local communities? | The Company grants two days of volunteer leave per year, and each year several employees use this system to participate in environmental conservation activities conducted in cooperation with local communities, such as afforestation and cleanup activities. |
Improving energy efficiency
at data centers
LY Corporation and the Company work to raise energy efficiency at data centers. The Kitakyushu Data Center (Kitakyushu City, Fukuoka) is the first large commercial data center in Japan to adopt air conditioning using outside air. The data center has realized energy conservation through the optimization of high-density server operations and air conditioning efficiency, and as a result, has won a number of awards.
In addition, at the Shirakawa Data Center in Shirakawa City, Fukushima Prefecture, IDC Frontier, making use of the area's cooler climate and the expertise it gained from operating the Kitakyushu Data Center, has developed an outside-air cooling system that combines a building design capable of drawing external air directly into the facility with air-conditioning functions to process server exhaust heat. This system enables the data center to use cool external air for over 90% of its air conditioning needs.
Completed in 2018, Building No. 5 at the Shirakawa Data Center employs a hybrid air conditioning system that combines external air and water cooling with air cooling functions. It is expected to achieve a high cooling efficiency of a PUE* of approximately 1.2.
In addition, the data center analyzes and verifies energy conservation effects to continuously promote further energy conservation.
- [Note]
-
- *Power Usage Effectiveness
An indicator of data center energy efficiency, PUE is calculated by dividing the overall power consumption of the data center by the power consumption of its IT equipment. In general, data centers in Japan commonly have a PUE value of 2.0 or less.
- *
Promotion and expansion of renewable energy
The devastation caused by the Great East Japan Earthquake and the incident at Tokyo Electric Power's Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant has stimulated interest in energy demand and power-saving programs in Japan and has had a profound effect on the lives of people, not only in East Japan, but throughout the entire country. The Company recognizes energy as a challenge for all of Japan and believes that the promotion and expansion of safe renewable energy is one of the solutions.
The Company established the Renewable Energy Governors' Alliance at the prefectural level and the Renewable Energy Governors' Alliance for Designated Cities at the municipal level, and began serving as secretariat for both alliances, with the Chairperson of the Board and Representative Director, Chairman, President & CEO of the parent company, SoftBank Group Corp., serving as secretary-general. Through the alliances, together with 34 prefectures throughout Japan and the local governments of 20 cities, the Company shares policy recommendations and information as an associate member to promote the spread of renewable energy.
The Company supports public policies that promote renewable energy as a measure against climate change and as a disaster-prevention response to global warming. In 2022, the Company made policy recommendations to the Ministry of the Environment and the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry regarding proactive fiscal measures for achieving a decarbonized society. These recommendations included budgetary measures for achieving carbon neutrality by 2050 and the introduction of carbon pricing.
In addition, at the Company's network center located in Toda City, Saitama Prefecture, the Company has installed solar panels with an annual power generation capacity of approximately 10,000 kWh. The Company has also installed wireless base stations equipped with solar panels, commonly known as "eco base stations." During favorable weather conditions, it is possible to meet all the energy requirements for operating the base stations through solar power generation.
Providing environmentally friendly electricity services
Initiatives for
spreading renewable energy
The Company and SB Power Co., Ltd. offer "Shizen-Denki," a rate plan for households with 100% renewable energy and zero CO2 emissions*1 in the Hokkaido, Tohoku, Tokyo, Chubu, Kansai, Chugoku, Shikoku, and Kyushu power supply areas. In addition, SB Power contributes 50 yen per month per "Shizen-Denki" subscription to support the activities of forest conservation organizations*2. In FY2025, the provision of "Shizen-Denki" resulted in an annual reduction of approximately 26,000 tons of CO2 emissions.
In addition, in order to respond to the accelerating trend toward decarbonization among companies and municipalities, SoftBank Denki for Biz Environmental Option, an electricity service for corporate customers, has offered an optional service with lower environmental impact since February 2021. In FY2025, through the provision of "SoftBank Denki for Biz," the Company achieved an annual CO2 emissions reduction effect of approximately 17,000 t-CO2.
The Company and SB Power will continue to contribute to the realization of an environmentally friendly society by providing electric power services that make substantial use of renewable energy.
- [Notes]
-
- *1By combining the electricity supplied to customers with non-fossil certificates designated as renewable energy, this service realizes the supply of electricity with a renewable energy ratio of 100% and zero CO2 emissions.
- *2Donations to organizations that execute projects certified under the J-Credit Scheme operated by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry; the Ministry of the Environment; and the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.
- *1
Promoting the Sharing Economy
OpenStreet Corporation, a group company, provides an environmentally friendly shared mobility service that allows people to use mobility as a means of transportation without owning it.
Through its shared cycling platform "HELLO CYCLING" and multi-mobility sharing service "HELLO MOBILITY," OpenStreet is developing multi-mobility stations where bicycles, scooters, and micro EVs can be rented from a single location in cooperation with local governments and partner companies. These services are being rolled out in cooperation with local governments and partner companies.
In addition to improving the convenience of urban transportation, this system contributes to the realization of a low-carbon society by supplying a portion of the electricity used for each vehicle from renewable energy sources. Open Street will continue its efforts to promote electric mobility powered by renewable energy and create a society that coexists with the global environment.
As of October 2025, HELLO CYCLING stations had been installed at approximately 12,000 locations across 256 cities, wards, towns, and villages in Japan.
Implementation of policy recommendations and collaboration
with external organizations
to achieve carbon neutrality in Japan
In order to quickly achieve a decarbonized society and resolve climate change issues and the energy crisis, the Company works with external partners that recognize the urgency of the climate crisis and are committed to achieving the 1.5°C target, and promotes global warming countermeasures through collaboration with trade associations and policy advocacy.
The Company regularly checks whether its climate change policies and measures are consistent with those of the organizations to which it belongs. If the Company determines that an organization's policies or measures are partially inadequate, it works with other member companies to strengthen them. If they are significantly inadequate, the Company considers whether to withdraw from that organization.
The Company established the ESG Promotion Committee in March 2020 as an advisory body to the Board of Directors. The President and CEO assumed the role of Chief ESG Officer, holding ultimate responsibility for the overall sustainability activities, including climate change mitigation, under the supervision of the Board of Directors.
Regarding the Company's involvement in external organizations (including trade associations) and engagement in public policy, such as lobbying, the Company reports to the ESG Promotion Committee. The Chief ESG Officer (President and CEO) holds the ultimate responsibility, and significant matters are reported to the Board of Directors.
Furthermore, under the responsibility of the Executive Officer in Charge of ESG and the General Manager of the ESG Promotion Office, the activities and lobbying of the external organizations to which the Company belongs are monitored and evaluated to ensure alignment with the principles of the Paris Agreement.
Activities aimed
at policy recommendations
With the rapid increase of artificial intelligence (AI), data centers—essential infrastructure for large-scale data processing—are becoming increasingly important, and major developments are underway across Japan.
AI services delivered by data centers are catalyzing ecosystem development through collaboration with related industries, which is expected to create mutual value, alleviate labor shortages, and boost productivity.
While these developments contribute to building new digital infrastructure and enhancing industrial competitiveness, the rising energy demand from expanding data centers has become a critical issue globally.
To achieve carbon neutrality, it is essential to secure decarbonized power sources for operating data centers and to accelerate Green Transformation (GX).
In response, the Company's President, Junichi Miyakawa, has participated in expert panels and basic policy subcommittees convened by relevant ministries, making policy recommendations on the need for regional distribution of data centers and local production and consumption of decarbonized power.
These proposals have been reflected in reports and recommendations issued by relevant ministries.
The Company will continue working toward the realization of a carbon-neutral, decarbonized society in Japan and the sustainable development of industry.
Participation in the
Climate Change Initiative
(Japan Climate Initiative: JCI)
The Company participates in the Climate Change Initiative (Japan Climate Initiative: JCI), a network of non-governmental actors in Japan that is actively working to achieve the 1.5℃ target, and works to promote a decarbonized society together with companies, local governments, organizations, and NGOs that are actively working to combat climate change.
Joined Japan Climate Leaders' Partnership (JCLP)
The Company is a supporting member of the "Japan Climate Leaders' Partnership (JCLP)," a corporate group aimed at realizing a sustainable decarbonized society. The Company contributes to the development of a sustainable society by strengthening its own efforts toward decarbonization, through understanding the latest trends in initiatives toward a decarbonized society, and by building relationships with companies that are leading the way.
Joined the
international initiative RE100
The Company has joined RE100, an international collaborative initiative where influential companies worldwide commit to sourcing 100% of the electricity used in their business operations from renewable energy.
Participation in
various trade associations
| GSMA | At the GSMA, a member of the global telecommunications industry association, the Company participates in the Climate Action Task Force, which addresses environmental issues such as climate change. GSMA promotes the setting of SBTs (science-based targets to limit global warming to 1.5°C) for its member companies, including the Company. |
|---|---|
| TCA |
In addition, the Company participates in the Environment Subcommittee of the Telecommunications Carriers Association (TCA), whose members are telecommunications carriers in Japan, and collaborates with member companies to promote climate change countermeasures and resource recycling initiatives as an industry group. The President & CEO of the Company, who also serves as Chief ESG Officer, contributed to the promotion of these activities in FY2020 by serving as Chair of the TCA and as a member of the GSMA Board of Directors. In 2017, TCA developed a carbon neutral action plan for the telecommunications industry in Japan, setting environmental targets, such as improving electricity efficiency per unit of telecommunications traffic, for 2020 (Phase 1) and 2030 (Phase 2). The Company has been involved in the formulation of these targets and related activities in cooperation with member companies. The Phase 1 target, a more than fivefold improvement in power efficiency per unit of communications traffic by FY2020 compared with FY2013, was achieved through a 6.7-fold improvement driven by the introduction of telecommunications equipment with superior energy-saving performance and the promotion of efficient facility construction and operation. In Phase 2, the target is to improve power efficiency tenfold or more by FY2030. |
Activities / Sponsorship
Support for GX League
The Company participates in the "GX League" announced by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. The Company is working with other participating companies to contribute to the transformation of the overall economic and social system and the creation of new markets from the perspective of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050 and achieving a positive cycle of economic growth and environmental sustainability.
Support for COOL CHOICE
The Company supports COOL CHOICE, a national campaign conducted by the Ministry of the Environment to mitigate global warming.
COOL CHOICE encourages people to make environmentally conscious choices, such as choosing energy-efficient, low-carbon products, services and activities.
As part of its initiatives to promote and expand renewable energy, the Company contributes to addressing global warming by offering "Shizen-Denki" plans that utilize renewable energy.
Participating in the
"Fun to Share"
climate change campaign
The Company is a supporter of "Fun to Share", a climate change campaign sponsored by Japan's Ministry of the Environment. Fun to Share encourages the sharing of wisdom and technology to build an enjoyable, prosperous, low-carbon society for everyone. Through participation in the campaign, the Company is promoting increased awareness and voluntary action among employees to implement continuous energy-efficiency efforts at work sites and in work processes, while also encouraging "cool biz" and "warm biz" (wearing lighter clothing during summer and warmer clothing during winter) on the intranet to help realize a low-carbon society.
Participation in the
"Green x Digital Consortium"
The Company participates in the "Green x Digital Consortium" established by the Japan Electronics and Information Technology Industries Association (JEITA). The "Green x Digital Consortium" aims to contribute to the realization of carbon neutrality in 2050 by optimizing the country's industries and society as a whole through initiatives related to the digitization of environment-related fields and the creation of new business models, and the Company contributes to this goal through its net-zero activities.