Global technology firm Epson has reaffirmed its commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions in advance of the 25th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP25).

Reducing greenhouse gas emissions – decarbonisation – is key a component in the work of governments, consumers and industry to mitigate the effects of climate change and move towards a more sustainable existence.

Epson has set targets for reducing its scope 1 and scope 2 greenhouse gas emissions by 19% by 2025 compared to the 2017 financial year. In the 2018 financial year, ended March 2019, Epson stated that it had made ‘large strides toward achieving the target’, including a 15% reduction in its greenhouse gas emissions.

Going forward, the company plans to achieve its target through energy-saving initiatives focused primarily on production innovations and the use of renewable electricity.

Epson noted that its innovations can play a major role in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations.

Epson global president Minoru Usui commented, ‘Political and economic uncertainties are increasing, and the world is facing challenging times. I strongly believe that Epson’s role is to help achieve global sustainability and to make the world a better place. In addition to our eco-conscious products and heat-free inkjet technology, we are combating climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions in production and across our value chain to help drive a transformation toward a decarbonized future. Climate change is a serious issue facing our planet and Epson is doing its utmost to address this issue. We have set targets for reducing GHG emissions in our own business activities and across the value chain to achieve the Paris agreement. These targets have been approved by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) as being consistent with climate change science. I am happy to report that Epson is well on its way to achieving these targets.’

Henning Ohlsson, CSR director at Epson Europe, added, ‘It is no longer responsible or acceptable to wait and see or treat climate change as a normal issue. We all must commit, encourage others, friends and families; lead change by example and drive climate action. In business as well as in private life.’

COP25 is taking place now and runs until 13 December in Madrid, Spain.