Global sustainable trims leader YKK will attain climate neutrality by 2050. This is part of its Sustainability Vision 2050, announced at the Copenhagen Fashion Summit, to address issues such as climate change, material resources, water resources, chemical management and human rights. The Sustainability Vision 2050 has five themes with corresponding goals.
The YKK Sustainability Vision 2050 will serve as a roadmap to the company achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. The Sustainability Vision 2050 consists of five themes with corresponding sustainability goals, as well as ten SDGs.Global sustainable trims leader YKK will attain climate neutrality by 2050. This is part of its Sustainability Vision 2050, announced at the Copenhagen Fashion Summit, to address issues such as climate change, material resources, water resources, chemical management and human rights. The Sustainability Vision 2050 has five themes with corresponding goals.#
Theme 1 is Climate Change which involves tackling greenhouse gas emissions and increasing use of renewable energy. With the goal of being carbon neutral by 2050, YKK has committed to a 50 per cent reduction of Scope 1 (direct emissions) and Scope 2 (indirect emissions) emissions from a 2018 baseline year by 2030. It has also committed to a 30 per cent reduction in Scope 3 emissions (all indirect emissions not included in Scope 2 that occur in its value chain).
To achieve these targets, YKK will reduce energy consumption through improved manufacturing and auxiliary equipment efficiency, streamlined operations and processes; stop the construction of new facilities using coal by 2019 and abolish all coal use in YKK facilities by 2030; install renewable power sources at YKK owned facilities for power generation where feasible; reduce Scope 2 emissions by purchasing renewable energy wherever possible; and reduce Scope 3 emissions by switching to 100 per cent sustainable textile materials by 2030.
Theme 2 is Material Resources which pertains to increasing use of sustainable materials. The company has committed to reducing waste and the use of petroleum derived materials throughout the lifecycle of its fastening products. It has also committed to contributing to the transition to a circular society by eliminating production and plastic waste and by developing products designed for circularity.
In order to achieve these targets, YKK will switch to 100 per cent sustainable textile materials (recycled materials, naturally derived materials, etc) by 2030; replace all vinyl/plastic packaging materials with sustainable packaging, including recyclable / reusable forms by 2030; and reduce the amount of waste to be landfilled or incinerated at all productions sites and increase waste recycling rate to 90 per cent by 2030.
Theme 3 relates to Water Resources which is aimed at reducing water use and managing wastewater. To combat serious water resource depletion and degradation, YKK has committed to reducing water intake through efficient usage, the development of new water saving production methods, and increased recycling of wastewater; and strictly managing wastewater at all manufacturing sites in accordance with government regulations and YKK in-house standards established based on industry standards such as Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals (ZDHC).
Theme 4 is Chemical Management with a purpose to manage and reduce chemical usage. To ensure a healthy environment for future generations, YKK will reduce the environmental impact caused by chemicals used in the manufacture of its products by managing and further reducing the use of chemical substances in product manufacturing from input to output in accordance with YKK's own standards (YKK Restricted Substance List), which was established based on industry standards such as the ZDHC Manufacturing Restricted Substances List (ZDHC MRSL); confirming that finished products meet industry standards such as Standard 100 by Oeko-Tex, ensuring they are free of harmful substances; and developing new production methods that reduce and eliminate the use of toxic chemicals.
Theme 5 is on respecting people by upholding human rights and ensuring fair, safe work environments. YKK has pledged to uphold the universal philosophy of respecting the dignity and rights of all human beings. It has committed to being inclusive and improving work environments throughout its supply chains by implementing the YKK Global Criteria of Compliance (YGCC) audit, a comprehensive standard based upon YKK's "Cycle of Goodness" philosophy and the ISO26000 guidelines, at YKK Group facilities; and conducting periodic evaluations by third party auditors to assure transparency and improvement of sustainable practices.
To ensure that its sustainability roadmap is aligned with needs of society, YKK has mapped each of its five themes with the UN SDGs. While the company intends to tackle all 17 SDGs, ten has been identified as the ones on which YKK could make the most impact. These are on gender equality, clean water and sanitation, affordable and clean energy, decent work and economic growth, reduced inequalities, responsible consumption and production, climate action, life below water, life on land, and peace, justice and strong institutions.
"YKK is constantly pursuing the creation of a sustainable society through our business," said Hiroaki Otani, president, YKK Corporation. "At the core of all our corporate activities is the philosophy of YKK founder Tadao Yoshida, the 'Cycle of Goodness.' The idea that 'no one prospers without rendering benefit to others' clearly expresses the YKK Group's corporate spirit of continuing to prosper together with society and related industries, and we consider it to be a concept that leads to sustainability. Under the 'Cycle of Goodness,' YKK will address the essence of sustainability through our businesses and products and will continue to take on challenges in order to remain a socially good company."
Fibre2Fashion News Desk (SV)
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