YKK has announced the YKK Sustainability Vision 2050, to serve as a roadmap to the company achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, amid other targets. The Sustainability Vision 2050 entails five themes with corresponding sustainability goals, as well as ten SDGs.
Theme 1
Climate Change – Tackle greenhouse gas emissions and increase the use of renewable energy
To be carbon neutral by 2050, YKK commits to a 50-percent reduction of Scope 1 (direct emissions) and Scope 2 (indirect emissions) emissions from a 2018 baseline year by 2030. It also commits to a 30-percent 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.
Reduce Scope 3 emissions by switching to 100% sustainable textile materials by 2030.
Theme 2
Material Resources – Increase the use of sustainable materials
YKK commits to reducing waste and the use of petroleum-derived materials throughout the lifecycle of its Fastening products. It further commits to contributing to the transition to a circular society by eliminating production and plastic waste and by developing products designed for circularity. To achieve these targets, YKK will:
Switch to 100-percent 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.
Reduce the amount of waste to be landfilled or incinerated at all production sites and increase the waste recycling rate to 90 percent by 2030.
Theme 3
Water Resources – Reduce water use and manage wastewater
To combat serious water resource depletion and degradation, YKK commits to the following actions:
Reduce water intake through efficient usage, the development of new water-saving production methods, and the increased recycling of wastewater.
Strictly manage wastewater at all manufacturing sites by government regulations and YKK in-house standards established based on industry standards such as Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals (ZDHC).
Theme 4
Chemical Management – 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 using the following measures:
Manage and further reduce the use of chemical substances in product manufacturing from input to output by 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).
Confirm that finished products meet industry standards such as Standard 100 by OEKO-TEX®, ensuring they are free of harmful substances.
Develop new production methods that reduce and eliminate the use of toxic chemicals.
Theme 5
Respect people – Uphold human rights and ensure fair, safe work environments
YKK pledges to uphold the universal philosophy of respecting the dignity and rights of all human beings. The company commits 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.
