Environment | Reduce CO₂ emissions
CO₂ reduction across our operations

Reducing CO₂ emissions (Scope 1 and 2)
Reducing Scope 3 CO₂ emissions from raw material, distribution, and after-use

Reducing CO₂ emissions (Scope 1 and 2)

CO₂ emission (Scope 1 and 2) reduction target in manufacturing

The Bridgestone Group has set a new target in Milestone 2030 to reduce its absolute CO₂ emissions (Scope 1 and 2^*1) by 50%, compared to 2011 by 2030. The Group has set an interim goal of reducing Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 30% or more by 2023, compared to 2011.

In 2021, the Group continued its efforts to improve energy efficiency and introduce renewable energy sources, and achieving a 25.0% reduction compared to 2011. In 2022, the Group submitted a commitment letter to the Science-based Target Initiative (SBTi), an international environmental initiative that offers target-setting resources and guidance, and independently assess and approves companies’ greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction targets that are scientifically consistent with the targets set forth in the Paris Agreement. The Group is in the review process to obtain SBT approval, and it believes that Group-wide activities will be advanced to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.

^*1 Scope 1 covers all direct CO₂ emissions by a company (from boilers of manufacturing facilities, etc.) Scope 2 covers indirect energy-related CO₂ emissions (from consumption of purchased electricity etc.) Scope 3 covers CO₂ emissions from raw material procurement, distribution, customers’ use, and after-use of lifecycle stages.

Independent Assurance Statement (243KB)
Actual calculation (86KB)

ISO 50001 certification

ISO 50001 certificate of San Jose Plant

In May 2012, Bridgestone Europe Technology Center in Rome was the first to acquire ISO 50001 certification in Italy. Bridgestone Europe, Russia, Middle East, India, and Africa (BSEMIA) has been focusing on enhancing energy management, acquiring ISO 50001 certification for all of its tire plants in Europe by 2020. In addition, the certification was obtained by the plants in Izmit and Aksaray (Turkey). Other examples of certification acquisition include Thai Bridgestone Co., Ltd. in the Rangsit Plant and in the Nong Khae Plant in 2015, Bridgestone (China) Investment Co., Ltd. in the Huizhou Plant in 2016, and Bridgestone de Costa Rica S.A. in the San Jose Plant in 2018.

The Group is working to improve energy management by identifying the major causes of energy consumption, defining effective indicators, implementing continuous monitoring in real time (as per the “Smart Energy” project in Europe), setting targets, promoting awareness among employees, improving the skills of technicians involved with equipment and engaging in initiatives including forming specialized energy conservation teams.

Transition to renewable energy sources (electricity)

Chonburi Plant (Thailand)

As part of its efforts towards carbon neutrality, the Bridgestone Group is expanding its use of renewable energy sources at manufacturing and other facilities including non production sites. In 2021, the Group has switched all electricity purchased to renewable energy sources at all of BSEMIA’s Europe locations, four plants in Japan (Hikone, Shimonoseki, Tosu, and Kitakyushu) and two plants in China (Tianjin and Wuxi). The Chonburi plant in Thailand installed 2,160 photovoltaic panels on its roof and started supplying 1MW of solar power in 2021. Also, a large 9.2MW solar power system will be in operation at the Burgos plant in Spain in 2022. In addition, the Group is introducing renewable energy at its non-manufacturing sites and has switched all electricity to renewable energy at its research center in Thailand.

As a result of these initiatives, the renewable energy ratio (electricity) in the Group reached 16.3% in 2021. With the goal of expanding this ratio to more than 50% by 2023, it will continue to expand the introduction of renewable energy while considering the local characteristics of each SBU.

Wuxi Plant (China)

Aiken Plant (United States)

Wuxi Plant (China) and Pune Plant (India) began using electricity generated by large-scale, solar power generators installed on the facilities’ roofs with electricity suppliers in 2018.

In addition, large-scale solar power generation (2MW) has begun operating at Aiken Plant (United States) in 2020.

In Japan, since 2019, four Bridgestone Group tire manufacturing facilities (Torisu, Tochigi, Kitakyushu and Kurume), Chemical & Industrial Products Technology Center (Yokohama) and Global-Manufacturing Education Center (Tokyo) have introduced solar photovoltaic power generation systems.

For more details on renewable energy use, see “ESG Data.”

Transition to renewable energy sources (fuel)

Energy efficient biomass boiler

Wood pellet biomass fuel

Bridgestone Costa Rica (BSCR) introduced a biomass boiler to produce heat for its San Jose Plant in 2014. The company successfully reduced CO₂ emissions for the facility by approximately 50% by replacing oil with wood pellets as fuel for the boiler. This BSCR initiative is helping the Republic of Costa Rica achieve carbon neutrality.

In addition, Bridgestone India Private Limited Pune Plant installed and started to use Biomass boiler to cover 100% of the Plant’s steam demand in 2021.

Group-wide energy survey to identify energy losses

Energy survey at a tire plant

Even as the manufacturing volumes grow in response to demand, the Bridgestone Group will continue to work to reduce its energy consumption to achieve the CO₂ emissions reduction goals. Since 2009, Bridgestone’s Technology Center has proactively conducted energy surveys to identify energy losses and areas for improvement at plant facilities. The Group is also continuously developing the ability of the personnel to recognize and implement energy-saving opportunities. In Milestone 2030, the Group aims to improve our energy efficiency by 0.5% per year, and it will continue to promote these activities throughout the Group.

Reducing Scope 3 CO₂ emissions from raw material, distribution and after-use

In Milestone 2030, Bridgestone Group set a target to reduce CO₂ emissions across the lifecycle and value chain (Scope 3) of its products and services exceeding five times its operation’s (Scope 1 and 2) CO₂ emissions by 2030 (base year 2020). In 2021, the contribution to CO₂ reduction combined with the activities of the entire value chain is equivalent to approximately 1.6 million tons^*. This is 0.5 times the amount of CO₂ emissions from its operations.

* Calculated using Bridgestone's proprietary calculation method based on the "Tyre LCCO₂ Calculation Guidelines Ver. 3.0.1” (The Japan Automobile Tyre Manufacturers Association, Inc)Bridgestone’s CO₂ emissions are verified by LRQA Limited, a third-party institution, to ensure the accuracy and transparency of this information.

Independent Assurance Statement (243KB)
Actual calculation (86KB)

For detailed emissions data, see “ESG data.”

CO₂ reduction at logistics in Japan

Promoting modal shift between Kanto and Kyushu

As a large shipper, Bridgestone Corporation is working with logistics companies, including its affiliated company Bridgestone Logistics, to reduce annual CO₂ emissions per energy intensity by 1% on average. For trucks, the Company adopted low-emission vehicles such as hybrid cars, introduced eco-driving and increased the size of vehicles to enhance transportation efficiency, as well as expanded round-trip use of containers and vehicles by reducing the return of empty containers and using a comprehensive vehicle allocation system to shorten shipping distances by improving logistics routes. The Company is also working to reduce CO₂ emissions associated with shipping from plants to distribution centers through modal shift, such as by switching to rail and ship transportation.

Building certified Gold for LEED®

Bridgestone Americas headquarters

Bridgestone Americas Headquarters

In 2018, the Bridgestone Americas headquarters tower in downtown Nashville, Tennessee, U.S. received the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) Gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council. Many Bridgestone products used in the 48,588 square-meter, 31-story building helped secure the LEED certification.

For more information, please see news release.

Bridgestone B-Innovation (Japan)

B-Innovation

B-Innovation, an innovation center located within Bridgestone Innovation Park (Kodaira City, Tokyo) has been awarded LEED® GOLD certification in 2022. Multiple sustainability features has evaluated including: the building design which achieved an energy reduction of 24.2% from the energy efficiency standard stipulated by LEED, the use of a solar power generation system, and the reuse and recycling of more than 50% of construction waste, etc.

For more information, please see news release.

Environment | Reduce CO₂ emissions
CO₂ reduction across our operations