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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE No. 3289

TOKYO, June 28, 2019 - Mitsubishi Electric Corporation (TOKYO: 6503) announced today that it has issued its Environmental Report 2019 documenting the results and achievements of environmental initiatives conducted by the Mitsubishi Electric in the fiscal year that ended in March 2019. The report confirmed that favorable progress was achieved in the reduction of CO2 from production operations and the reduction of resource inputs, helping to beat annual targets under Mitsubishi Electric's three-year ninth Environmental Plan to fiscal 2021, a blueprint for reduced carbon, increased recycling and greater harmony with nature.

Major Initiatives and Results in Fiscal 2019

  1. 1) Creating low-carbon societies: Reducing greenhouse gas emissions in both production and use

    In the just-ended fiscal 2019, total CO2 emissions from production (greenhouse gas other than CO2 converted into CO2 mass) were reduced to 1.3 million tons, beating the target of 1.43 million tons, thanks to measures such as the introduction of high-efficiency equipment and revised operations1. Energy-derived CO2 emissions, which had been forecasted to rise 60,000 tons due to increased production during the year, actually rose only 30,000 tons due to the introduction of high-efficiency, energy-saving equipment and new measures to eliminate waste at production facilities. Non-CO2 greenhouse gas emissions came to 180,000 tons (CO2 equivalent2), greatly improving on 250,000-ton target, which was achieved by switching to refrigerants with low global-warming potential and enhancing operations.

    CO2 emissions from products in use in the market were reduced by 36 percent compared to the 35 percent target. Contribution volume to reducing CO2 emissions from product use was 77 million tons, exceeding the 70 million-ton target. The strong reduction was accomplished by increasing energy savings achieved with power devices, air conditioners, water-heating systems, etc.

    1. 1CO2 emission coefficient of 0.487 t-CO2/MWh from The Federation of Electric Power Companies of Japan in fiscal 2013
    2. 2Global warming potential of non-CO2 greenhouse gas based on value used in IPCC Second Assessment Report 1995
  2. 2) Creating recycling societies: Reducing product sizes and weights to cut resource input and water use

    Resource input was reduced by 45 percent compared with the fiscal 2001 rate, bettering the 40 percent target, by reducing the sizes and weights of products such as gas circuit breakers, servo motors and large video systems.

    Water use per unit of sales was cut by 23 percent compared to the fiscal 2011 base rate, far higher than the 8 percent target rate (calculated by adding one percentage point to the reduction rate every year from fiscal 2011). Global measures included more water recycling in production processes and the reuse of waste water that previous had been discharged.

    Mitsubishi Electric and its affiliates in Japan achieved their targets for the effective use of resources in terms of final resource disposal rate, but the 0.52 percent rate for overseas affiliates fell slightly short of the 0.5 percent target despite improved performance in this category in the previous year.

  3. 3) Creating societies in tune with nature: Expanding biodiversity activities around sites in Japan

    To help preserve biodiversity, including rare and endemic species, the group conducts on-site biological surveys at all 24 plant sites in Japan and also carries out "Improvement of Green Quality" activities. Nature-appreciation excursions for adults and children, conducted under the Mitsubishi Electric Outdoor Classrooms and Satoyama Woodland Preservation Project initiatives, attracted some 4,000 participants as planned.

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