Rakuten Receives SBTi Certification for Emission Reduction Targets

Rakuten Group, Inc. announced that the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), a corporate climate organization that helps companies set emission reduction targets based on the latest climate science, has certified its greenhouse gas emission reduction targets in line with the Paris Agreement’s goal to hold the increase in the global average temperature to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels and pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels^*1.

Rakuten Group has expanded its greenhouse gas emission reduction targets to include emissions from both the Group’s business activities (Scope 1 and Scope 2), as well as emissions from its entire supply chain (Scope 3), including business partners and suppliers.

SBTi has established methods and minimum requirements for setting greenhouse gas emission reduction targets by industrial sector. Since the Rakuten Group is operating an electricity retail business, the company has adhered to SBTi’s guidance for the power sector and set emission reduction targets for the amount of electricity sold in Scope 3.

Rakuten Group’s greenhouse gas emission reduction targets

Metrics                                                                                    Targets

Scope 1

emissions    Direct greenhouse gas

                    emissions from the company                      · Reduce absolute Scope 1

Scope 2                                                                             and Scope 2 emissions              

emissions    Indirect emissions accompanying                 99.7% by 2032 compared to 2022

                    the use of electricity, heat and                  

                   steam supplied by other companies
Scope 3                                                                         · Reduce absolute Scope 3 emissions 30.0%

emissions   Indirect emissions other than                      by 2032 compared to 2022

                   Scope 1 and Scope 2                                · Reduce Scope 3 emissions from all sold electricity

                                                                                       76.8% per MWh by 2032 compared to 2022

Guided by its mission to contribute to society by creating value through innovation and entrepreneurship, Rakuten has driven efforts to improve energy efficiency and expand the implementation and use of renewable energy across its businesses. In 2023, Rakuten Group achieved carbon neutrality, or net-zero greenhouse gas emissions, from Rakuten Group business operations, including all consolidated subsidiaries*^2,3,4.

In addition to these initiatives, Rakuten launched the "Go Green Together" project in April 2022 to promote environmentally conscious living via lifestyle and shopping options to customers. Moreover, the company also launched a dedicated website, “Rakuten Green Empowerment,” to introduce Rakuten’s energy efficiency actions and opportunities for users to reduce their environmental impact through Rakuten services.

Going forward, Rakuten will increase efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions throughout its entire supply chain to achieve the newly set targets. With its mission to contribute to society by creating value through innovation and entrepreneurship, Rakuten will continue to work together with its customers, partners, communities, employees and all its stakeholders to realize a sustainable society.

Notes
*1 The SBTi is an international climate change initiative jointly established by the United Nations Global Compact, CDP (an international NGO tackling climate change and related issues), WRI (World Resources Institute), and WWF (World Wide Fund for Nature).
*2 Total of scope 1 emissions (direct greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the company itself) and market-based scope 2 emissions (indirect emissions accompanying the use of electricity, heat and steam supplied by other companies), with third-party verification obtained and estimated in accordance with the GHG Protocol, the international standard for estimating and reporting GHG emissions volume.
*3 Rakuten is working to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by improving energy efficiency and introducing renewable energy across the Group. The company uses carbon offsets for remaining emissions that are invested in carbon reduction activities.
*4 Press release: Rakuten Achieves Carbon Neutrality Group-wide in 2023
https://global.rakuten.com/corp/news/press/2024/0531_01.html

 About the Go Green Together Project

Official site: https://global.rakuten.com/corp/event/gogreen/
Launch date: April 22, 2022
Overview: The Go Green Together Project aims to raise awareness of environmental issues and sustainable consumption through Rakuten’s services and other consumer touchpoints, helping shape a sustainable society that is environmentally, socially and economically conscious.

About Rakuten Green Empowerment

Official site: https://corp.rakuten.co.jp/event/green-emp/ (*Japanese page)
Launch date: May 31, 2024
Overview: Rakuten Green Empowerment introduces Rakuten’s efforts to achieve carbon neutrality and opportunities for users to reduce their environmental impact through the use of Rakuten services.

References
Rakuten Receives IT Award in Sustainability Field from Japan Institute of Information Technology’s 40th IT Awards (December 8, 2022)
https://global.rakuten.com/corp/news/update/2022/1208_01.html
Rakuten Mobile, Rakuten Symphony Demonstrate 25% Energy Savings Through AI Model on RAN Intelligent Controller (February 28, 2024)
https://corp.mobile.rakuten.co.jp/english/news/press/2024/0228_01/
Rakuten Mobile Eco-Initiative Reduces Natural Resource Use by Half to Enhance Product Sustainability (September 12, 2024)
https://corp.mobile.rakuten.co.jp/blog/2024/0912_01/ (*Japanese page)

*Company, product and service names appearing in this press release are trademarks or registered trademarks of the respective companies.

*Please note that the information contained in press releases is current as of the date of release.