We established the Group Environmental Policy in fiscal 2015 in order to accelerate global environmental initiatives, including those of overseas affiliates.

Based on the Management Principles of the Yaskawa Group, we recognize that the conservation of the global environment is one of the most important issues for all humankind. In every stage of our business operation, we contribute to the realization of a sustainable society through our proactive environmentally conscious actions.

Yaskawa and affiliated companies have continued to promote the environmental programs in accordance with group-wide policies and implementation plans that have been deliberated and decided by the Company-Wide Environmental Promotion Committee.

The Group Environmental Policy is incorporated into the environmental targets of each affiliated company, and environmental activities are carried out in accordance with the business contents.

Yaskawa began acquiring ISO 14001 (Environmental Management System) certification for its manufacturing facilities in 1998, and we acquired integrated certification for our manufacturing facilities in Japan in 2014^*1.

We are also expanding the scope of certification to include Group companies, and we will continue to promote environmental management globally based on ISO 14001.

*1　Scope of ISO 14001 at Yaskawa: All stages of manufacturing activities, products, and services in the departments of the Iruma Plant, Yahata-nishi Plant, Nakama Plant, Yukuhashi Plant, and Yahata-higashi Plant and in affiliated companies on the premises of those plants.

For comprehensive adherence to laws and regulations pertaining to the environment, Yaskawa has stipulated internal regulations for confirmation of legislation that are applicable to each of its business sites, the content to be addressed, and the methods of implementation for such initiatives. In addition, the ISO administrative office and promotion offices at each business site are engaged in compliance verification.
No violations or penalties occurred with regard to laws and regulations during FY2023. There was also no pollution that could adversely affect the environment.

With the focus set on the responsibility of the waste generator, we perform, by use of our common audit check sheets, on-site checks of waste collection/transport companies and disposal companies under contract with our production plants.
Until FY2023, none of our contractors have violated laws and regulations. We will continue to perform these checks in the future.

The Yaskawa Group discloses information on its environmental activities and actively communicates with stakeholders to deepen mutual understanding. ​We are also disseminating information on our environmental initiatives and views widely through our integrated report and website, and will continue to strengthen our efforts.

The Yahata-nishi Plant “Robot Village” in Kitakyushu has been implementing the “Clean Power 100 Project,” an initiative to reduce CO₂ emissions from electricity to zero by FY2021.
Robot Village focuses on five perspectives on energy: “create,” “store,” “recover,” “reduce,” and “smart use,” and also actively incorporates the Yaskawa’s own environmentally friendly technologies.
At the Yaskawa Technology Center, which opened in the spring of 2021, in addition to the building’s superior environmental performance, we are also working to improve the efficiency of energy use by introducing environmentally friendly technologies, including the installation of more than 70 AC drives, matrix converters, IPM motors, and other Yaskawa environmentally friendly products, as well as solar power generation.
Furthermore, the Clean Power 100 Project achieved its goal one year ahead of schedule as a result of the adoption of 100% renewable energy-derived electricity in the Robot Village.
The environmental technologies used in the Robot Village are explained in an easy-to-understand manner to visitors of the Yaskawa Innovation Center.

Robot Village was awarded the Energy Conservation Center Japan chairman’s prize in the 2015 Energy Conservation Grand Prize. In the products and business model category, it also received the minister’s prize, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, for Yaskawa Matrix Converter U1000.

The head office building of Yaskawa Electric received the FY2017 Carbon Neutral Grand Prize^*3.
Even after completion of the project, energy conservation operations have been thoroughly carried out and a 76% energy cut was implemented in comparison to standard buildings.
The head office also received the Kyushu Bureau of Economy, Trade and Industry’s Director General Award at the 2019 Excellent Energy Conservation Factory & Building Awards competition for its everyday energy-saving activities.

*3　An award system has been implemented annually by the Japanese Association of Building Mechanical and Electrical Engineers. It aims to contribute to building a “carbon-neutral” society in which CO₂ emissions by buildings are reduced to nearly zero.

YASKAWA EUROPE GmbH ROBOTICS DIVISION in Germany obtained ISO 50001 certification in December 2016. We have improved energy performance by implementing energy-saving measures.

YASKAWA EUROPE GmbH ROBOTICS DIVISION uses an energy management system that delivers data on energy use and efficiency in a visual format. We save energy by reviewing work procedures and eliminating redundant processes.
In FY2019, (YEU)R reduced energy consumption by 3.11% compared to FY2018. We are also undertaking “2019 -2021 Energy and Environment Campaign” to raise employees’ awareness on environmental conservation and energy savings. We created a sticker featuring the catchphrase “Green YASKAWA Footprint” for the campaign.

On March 22, 2019, the Global Safety Summit was held in Delhi, India and YASKAWA INDIA was awarded the “Best Environmental Practice Award.” This Summit is an annual conference focused on the themes of environmental preservation and global sustainability, and is steered by the World Safety Forum, BCTOAD Hyperlink Ltd, and unions in 193 countries around the world. YASKAWA INDIA focuses on the safety of employees and preservation of the environment in the course of operations, and recognizes that environmental and climate change impacts as well as health and safety of employees and local communities are of utmost importance. For environmental protection in particular, the following initiatives are taken.
– Organic waste, solid waste, and e-waste are disposed of by operators who have appropriate qualifications in accordance with the regulations of the “Central Pollution Control Board.”
– For an operation permit by the water and air pollution control acts, noise level is tested once a year.
– Inspection results of air, water quality, and waste disposal are reported to the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board once every six months.

On March 30, 2022, our Yahata-nishi Plant and Kokura Plant, which are located in Kitakyushu, were certified under the “Kitakyushu Certification System for Decarbonized Energy” as a Leading Company in Decarbonization for their early adoption of CO₂-free energy.
Aiming to become a zero carbon city by 2050, Kitakyushu promotes the use of renewable energy through its Kitakyushu Model for 100% Renewable Energy that aims to have all public facilities make the switch to 100% renewable energy by 2025. The main purpose of this certification system is to accelerate the decarbonization trend by urging companies in the city to join in as well.
Certified companies receive perks such as a “certification sticker and logo.”