Measures to Address Global Warming

  As part of its measures to counter global warming, the Yamaha Group has worked to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions through the use of optimal production methods and equipment configuration, improvements to how air conditioning equipment is operated, installation of equipment with high energy efficiency, and extensive energy management, including adjustments to facility operating hours and thermostat settings. The Group has also introduced cogeneration systems and converted to more environmentally friendly fuel sources.

  In December 2003, we set the target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 6% of fiscal 1990 levels by fiscal 2010, and we worked Group-wide to achieve this target.

  Our CO₂ emissions in Japan during fiscal 2011 totaled 62,700 tons- CO₂. This represents a reduction of 42% versus fiscal 1990 levels, far greater than our target. In addition to the measures described above, this achievement is attributable to the sale of certain businesses, and a decrease in production due to the worsening economy. We plan to formulate a new target for beyond, while referring to relevant government targets.

  We also aim to continuously reduce CO₂ emissions per unit of sales, and target a 1% or more reduction compared with the previous fiscal year. In fiscal  2011, we failed to achieve our target, reaching 23.7 tons per ¥100 million, a decrease of 2.7% year on year. CO₂ equivalent emissions of other greenhouse gases totaled 6,900 tons, a reduction of 600 tons from the previous fiscal year.

CO₂Emissions (from energy consumption)

Energy Conservation Activities at Hangzhou Yamaha Musical Instruments

  Hangzhou Yamaha Musical Instruments Co., Ltd. has taken steps to promote energy saving measures in order to suppress growing energy consumption resulting from an increase in production.

  In fiscal 2011, the factory reduced energy consumption by 15% per unit of sales on a year-on-year basis. This result can be attributed to improvements made to achieve a 5% reduction target that included a 3% reduction through technological enhancements and a 2% reduction by enhancing the level of management in daily operations. The factory passed a Cleaner Production Audit at the end of 2011 from Hangzhou City officials pursuant to China’s Cleaner Production Promotion Law due to these initiatives to conserve energy as well as efforts to reduce waste and strengthen environmental risk responsiveness.

  In addition, the factory worked on the acquisition of ISO 14001 certification and received approval in May 2012 following a review by outside authorities in April.

  *1 Cleaner Production Audit

  China’s Cleaner Production Promotion Law was enacted in China in 2003 with the aim of preventing environmental pollution through the realization of clean product manufacturing using clean energy, raw materials and production technology. The key feature of this law is the objective of preventing pollution before it happens rather than taking care of it afterward such as by regulating emissions, which is the traditional approach.

  Cleaner Production Audit is granted by a government agency in each region to companies recognized as promoting clean manufacturing as defined in the Cleaner Production Promotion Law, improving resource usage efficiency, reducing and preventing pollutant emissions, protecting the environment, safeguarding people’s health and promoting societal development, with the aim of reducing environmental impact in the manufacturing industry.

Promoting CO₂ Emission Reduction Measures through the Integration of Domestic Piano Manufacturing Processes

  Yamaha Corporation has implemented various energy conservation measures when relocating the grand piano manufacturing process from its headquarters factory to its Kakegawa Factory and consolidating it with upright piano production processes. The introduction of a cogeneration system, a 33% space saving from the production line consolidation and the introduction of an indoor dust collection system combined with optimized operation of production equipment culminated in a reduction in CO₂ emissions of over 3,000 tons for the year.

  The Yamaha Group is actively working to increase energy efficiency and reduce CO₂ emissions in logistics operations. Guided by a basic policy of raising transport efficiency, we continually review transport routes, adopt routes that incorporate more efficient modes of transport, raise container loading ratios, streamline loading sites and warehouse facilities, and conduct joint transport with other companies. Efforts are also being made to reduce CO₂ emissions by disposing of waste locally and switching from air to sea for international shipping.

  The Yamaha Group's total domestic transport volume and CO₂ emissions in fiscal 2011 remained the same as to 19.34 million ton-kilometers and to 3,093 tons- CO₂. The change in these figures was due in part to the above initiatives, but mainly to the sale of some business and a decline in the volume of products shipped due to the worsening economy.

  Reducing CO₂ emissions from logistics requires the cooperation of transport companies, so we are working with them to develop appropriate systems. Specific measures include requesting participation in environmental efforts at meetings with the companies and incorporating environmental matters into questionnaires.

  Previously, Yamaha used disposable iron packing racks when transporting piano frames from Japan to Hangzhou Yamaha Musical Instruments Co., Ltd.

  To eliminate this waste, we started introducing returnable packing racks that can be used multiple times in July 2011. In October of the same year, we switched to returnable packing racks for all piano frames bound for China. At the same time, we shortened the transport route. These efforts resulted in a 60-ton reduction in CO₂ emissions associated with the disposal of iron packing and a 1,050-ton reduction in iron resource costs for the year. Going forward, we will examine the possibility of shortening transport distance and reducing disposable packing materials, including for parts aside from piano frames.