"Future Stories" is a series of interviews with employees of the Group about their efforts to lead to a future of Space for your Smile.

This time, the Business Administration Division of SKY Perfect JSAT Corporation, which is the department that promotes "Contributing to the environment for the realization of a decarbonized society and a circular economy Living with the Earth among the key issues of the Company We heard from two people from the General Affairs Department.

We will introduce our efforts to reduce CO2 emissions by promoting the use of renewable energy and energy efficiency improvements in satellites and Ground-based facilities, etc., promotion of proper waste treatment, reuse, and recycling, and environmentally friendly procurement.

―――Members Interviewed

From left to right: Mr. Iwatani, Mr. Fujisawa

Initiatives for the realization of a decarbonized society and a circular economy

―――First of all, please tell us about your activities related to the reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions toward the realization of a decarbonized society.

Mr. Fujisawa: We are switching to renewable energy for the electricity used at each site, including group companies, and the Substantial renewable energy usage ratio has reached 99.55% as of the end of February 2024 (target: domestic bases) due to the progress of coordination and initiatives with the person in charge at each site. Last year, we decided to bring forward our carbon neutrality target (*1) to achieve net-zero GHG emissions by five years from 2030 to FY2025.

※1: Scope 1 (direct emissions from the company's own energy) and Scope 2 (indirect emissions from the use of supplied energy) are eligible

In addition, if it is difficult to switch due to unique circumstances such as overseas bases, we are considering offsetting (*2) by using carbon credits.

※2: Offset through the use of carbon credits: The idea of making up for emissions of greenhouse gases that are difficult to reduce elsewhere. Ways to make up for this include purchasing emission reduction and absorption credits and supporting projects that reduce greenhouse gases.

Source: J-Credit Scheme and Carbon Offsetting | Global Environment and International Environmental Cooperation | Ministry of the Environment (env.go.jp)

▼Transition Plan to Achieve Carbon Neutrality

▼Click here for press release

SKY Perfect JSAT Group FY2025 Aims to Achieve Carbon Neutrality by 5 Years Ahead of Schedule Bringing Forward Initial Target of 2030 to Realize a Decarbonized Society | SKY Perfect JSAT HD | SKY Perfect JSAT Group (skyperfectjsat.space)

―――Next, as an initiative to realize a circular economy, you are promoting the proper treatment, reuse, and recycling of waste.

Mr. Fujisawa: Waste is divided into industrial waste generated in the course of business activities and general waste that you dispose of on a daily basis.

Regarding the proper disposal of industrial waste, we conducted an e-learning last year to ensure that employees reaffirmed the laws and rules and complied with the procedures. As for general waste, in addition to reducing the amount of waste itself, we would like to increase the recycling rate. The aim is to reduce the amount of waste dumped at final disposal sites by reusing waste as a new resource as much as possible.

When changing the layout at each site, we have achieved a reduction in waste by selling furniture and other items that are no longer in use to a reuse company or having them used by other sites and employees, rather than throwing away furniture that is no longer in use. In the future, I would like to go one step further and make sure that the furniture I buy is made from scrap materials and recycled plastics. In addition, as part of our efforts to promote employee recycling, we have posted a pop-up on the trash can at the Akasaka Intercity AIR head office to make it easier to understand how to separate the waste cans. I would like to continue to devise ways to improve the accuracy of sorting for employees.

▼Garbage separation display at Akasaka Intercity AIR Headquarters.

Recently, we conducted a tour of the recycling plant by the relevant departments, and we would like to continue to look for ways to recycle efficiently and effectively based on an accurate understanding of the current situation.

▼Tour of the recycling plant

―――Environmentally-friendly procurement is one of our materialities, but please tell us about your initiatives, goals, and challenges.

Mr. Fujisawa: We start with general purchases such as stationery that are familiar to us. In accordance with the Green Procurement Policy formulated in April last year, we have changed the settings so that only environmentally friendly products can be purchased on the office supply ordering site "Tanomeru" that we use, and we are asking for the cooperation of our employees.

▼We have set it so that you can only purchase products with environmental labels.

Mr. Iwatani: As another initiative, we renewed our staff jumpers last year, and we chose environmentally friendly materials. There were several manufacturers that were candidates, but we chose a manufacturer that would make it from recycled materials. The jumpers we had been using were collected and sent for recycling. I'm very happy that everyone is wearing a jumper that is quite good, matching, and environmentally friendly.

▼Staff jumpers made of recycled materials

Thoughts on work and connection with society

―――What do you think about when you work on your work? Do you ever feel connected to society?

Mr. Fujisawa: When I work on the environment, I realize that there are many highly motivated people in the company. In interacting with such people, I have many opportunities to be encouraged to work harder. I'm also stimulated and studying for qualifications. After all, when I hear news related to the environment, I feel bad, and my sense of crisis has increased considerably.

Mr. Iwatani: The melting of Antarctic ice seemed to happen someday, but it was already happening right in front of my eyes. To be honest, there are times when I feel uneasy about what we can do because the scale of environmental problems is too large, but I would like to work on it little by little, including promoting the work we are doing now.

(Interview date: December 19, 2023)