Initiatives to Address Climate Change
We at Tokyu Construction have identified climate change (mitigation and adaptation) as a material issue and recognize that tackling climate change is a top priority. In our Long-Term Management Plan "To zero, from zero.", we have set decarbonization, zero waste and disaster risk reduction as three pillars of the value we provide, and are taking on the challenge of achieving net zero carbon emissions by being actively involved in relevant initiatives and implementing various measures.
Obtaining SBTi Approval for our Greenhouse Gas Reduction Targets
To help achieve the goal of limiting global temperature rise to below 2°C under the Paris Agreement, we followed the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), an international framework for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and set targets to reduce Scopes 1 and 2 emissions by 30% by 2030 and 100% by 2050, as well as Scope 3 (supply chain) emissions by 30% by 2030 from a 2018 base year.
In April 2020, we obtained approval for these medium- to long-term targets from SBTi.
We will continue carrying out our initiatives to achieve these targets.
Environmental Performance Data: 3-1. Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions
As one of our climate change initiatives, we have obtained certification as a ZEB (Zero Energy Building) Planner and are promoting ZEB for new constructions and renovations.
CDP Response
Since 2019, we have been responding to the CDP’s climate change questionnaire, which carries out global surveys and evaluation of corporate environmental disclosure. On a scale with eight levels ranging from A to D, we received a B- rating for our response in FY2019, followed by B- in FY2020, B in FY2021, A- in FY2022, and A- in FY2023.
We are working on improving items pointed out in the evaluation and promoting the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions while managing risks related to environmental disclosure.
Support for TCFD Recommendations
Tokyu Construction endorsed the recommendations of the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) in November 2020. We are now carrying out initiatives on climate-related disclosures. We will continue to work on better disclosures in line with the TCFD recommendations on the analysis of our corporate risks and opportunities from climate change, and our strategies based on the analysis results.
Participation in RE100
In March 2021, we joined the RE100 initiative, which brings together globally influential companies on the goal of achieving 100% renewable electricity for business activities. Our goal is to convert all our electricity consumption for business activities, including construction and offices, to electricity from renewable sources by 2030.
Pursuit of Three Values reducing climate change risks
Environmental Targets and Performance on Environmental Actions
Tokyu Construction has set targets for critical actions on tackling climate change and effective use of resources, and is continuously monitoring the progress on these actions.
Environmental Performance Data: 3-1. Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions
Environmental Performance Data: 3-2. Energy consumed
Environmental Performance Data: 3-3. Fuel consumed
Environmental Performance Data: 3-4. Main materials
Environmental Performance Data: 3-5. Waste generated
FY2023 Non-consolidated Targets and Performance
| Action | Items | Category | Unit | FY2021 | FY2022 | FY2023 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Performance | Performance | Target Value | Performance | Evaluation *1 | ||||||
| Climate Change Mitigation | 1 | CO2 emission | Civil works | Tunnels | t-CO2 | 10,258 | 5,594 | 11,042 or less | 7,061 | ◎ |
| Other | t-CO2 | 9,794 | 15,381 | 10,694 or less | 6,988 | ◎ | ||||
| Construction | t-CO2 | 17,897 | 13,728 | 15,407 or less | 14,652 | 〇 | ||||
| Overseas construction *2 | t-CO2 | ー | 3,691 | 1,185 or less | 8,344 | × | ||||
| 2 | Energy consumed *3 | All office work | kWh/m2 | 54.94 | 54.52 | 62.41 | 61.62 | 〇 | ||
| Effective use of resources | 3 | Waste plastic emissions *4 | Civil works | t | 817.5 | 819.1 | 1,137.0 or less | 1000.1 | ◎ | |
| Construction | t | 3,560.4 | 3,916.0 | 4,453.0 or less | 3,543.4 | ◎ | ||||
| 4 | Mixed waste emissions *4 | Civil works | t | 561.3 | 358.8 | 598.0 or less | 372.1 | ◎ | ||
| Construction | t | 1,318.1 | 673.9 | 3,311.0 or less | 1,398.2 | ◎ | ||||
1 ◎:Well above target (10% or more above target) 〇:Target achieved ×:Target not achieved
2 Starting in FY2022, overseas construction projects have been included in target management.
3 Starting in FY2023, the scope of applicable offices has been revised.
4 Scope: Domestic new installations and new construction projects.
Click here for metrics and targets
FY2023 Contribution of In-house Architectural Design to Emissions Reduction During Use
Unit (t-CO2: standardized for 60-year service life)
| Number | Design emissions | Standard emissions | Emissions Reduction | Reduction rate | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Design part | 16 | 402,158 | 685,682 | 283,525 | 41.3% | Applicable only during operation after completion |
| Completion part | 15 | 692,438 | 1,114,541 | 422,103 | 37.9% | Applicable only during operation after completion |
Reducing Environmental Impact of Our Business Activities
Initiatives for Scopes 1 and 2 Emissions
Use of Electricity from Renewable Energy
As a member of RE100, we have set a goal to convert 100% of the electricity used in our business activities to renewable energy by FY2030, working toward the early realization of a decarbonized society. As part of this initiative, in FY2023, we collaborated with a solar power company to install 47 dedicated non-FIT solar power plants with a total generation capacity of 4,311 kW. For FY2023, we acquired environmental value for 4,322 MWh of electricity generated annually through virtual PPA, reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 1,890 t-CO2. This pioneering initiative to address the unique challenges of construction sites by adopting virtual PPA services was recognized with the Chairman’s Award for Installation Activities from the New Energy Foundation in the FY2023 New Energy Award. Combined with our ongoing reception of RE100-compliant renewable energy electricity, in FY2023, we achieved 25,532 MWh of renewable energy for domestic construction projects, resulting in an 83.9% adoption rate. Additionally, in response to on-site PPA service demand, we have completed the installation of a solar power facility with a generation capacity of 156 kW, which supplies electricity directly to customers at their premises. This facility began supplying electricity in May 2024.
Tokyu Construction and Clean Energy Connect jointly awarded the FY2023 New Energy Award
Environmental Performance Data: 3-1. Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions
Environmental Performance Data: 3-2. Energy consumed
Deployment of low-carbon fuels
Scope 1 emissions account for around 75% of all GHG emissions from construction sites. Furthermore, most of these Scope 1 emissions arise from the use of diesel fuel. As a measure to reduce the quantity of emissions from diesel fuel, we are promoting the deployment of GTL (gas to liquids) fuels, which are liquid fuels derived from natural gas that have properties similar to diesel fuel.
In April 2022, we also began introducing renewable diesel (RD), which is manufactured using waste cooking oil, animal and vegetable oils, etc. as raw materials. On an LCA basis, renewable diesel cuts CO2 emissions by about 90%. We also started to introduce B100 fuel in FY2023. B100 is a carbon-neutral fuel made from waste cooking oil that effectively reduces CO2 emissions by 100%. In FY2023, we replaced 358.6kL of diesel fuel use with GTL, 22.8kL with RD, 14.2kL with B100,and 0.2kL with B5, thereby cutting CO2 emissions by a total of 178.01tonnes.
Initiatives for Scope 3 Emissions
ZEB and ZEH-M Initiatives
In our business, the CO2 emissions generated by buildings after we have completed them (Scope 3) is extremely high. Therefore, to help the customers who order construction from us to reduce emissions, we actively offer them building materials and equipment with low environmental impacts, as well as zero-energy buildings (ZEB) and zero-energy apartment buildings (ZEH-M). Since FY2016, we have offered ZEB and ZEH-M buildings based on our own designs. In FY2023, we completed the construction of four ZEB-designed buildings (“ZEB”: 1, ZEB Ready: 2, and ZEB Oriented: 1) and the design of eight new ZEB buildings. The ZEB renovation of the Company’s Institute of Technology has cut energy consumption by 76 to 79% for six straight years since it was completed. At all the ZEB buildings we complete, we collect detailed measurements (on air conditioning, ventilation, lighting, hot water supply, elevators, and PV solar systems) on a monthly basis, then compare design values with real-world measurements. Our support for energy management and the accumulation and verification of obtained data provides us with valuable feedback for the planning and design of ZEBs. To respond flexibly to the needs of our customers, we also registered as a “ZEH Developer,” so that we can contribute to the acceleration of decarbonization, not only of buildings, but also of residential construction.
Environmental Performance Data: 3-1. Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions
Environmental Performance Data: 3-2. Energy consumed
Tools for ZEB and ZEH-M Solutions
We are developing and operating simulation tools that encourage our customers to adopt ZEB and ZEH-M solutions. We released a demo version for office buildings at the Construction Technology Expo 2020 held in November that year, and have since been working to expand its functions by adding the ability to select building uses and energy-saving technologies. In the future, we plan to publicly release the tool on our corporate website for the use of our customers. We aim to become a leading ZEB and ZEH-M solutions company, and continue to develop more detailed ZEB and ZEH-M design proposal tools using digital technology.
Developing Technologies to Support the MOC+ Brand of Wooden Construction
The use of carbon-absorbing wood in buildings and furniture is expected to play a significant role in achieving decarbonization because of wood’s ability to store carbon for a long period of time. At the Tokyu Construction Institute of Technology, we are developing various technologies to support our MOC+ brand of wooden construction.
One example is our development of timber columns with wood sheathing and semi-fireproof performance, which was certified by Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (60-minute semi-fireproof construction). These timber columns can be used as independent columns with all four sides visible, providing an aesthetically pleasing display that emanates the comforting warmth of wood. In addition, SQ Silence 50, a high sound insulation double floor system jointly developed with Nice Corporation and Awaji Giken Co. Ltd., won acclaim, including an award in the Social Design Category (Architecture, Space, Building Materials, and Components) at the Wood Design Awards 2020. Furthermore, our track record of successfully constructing medium- to large-scale wooden buildings, such as the ROOFLAG Exhibition of Rental Housing for Tomorrow, which uses cross laminated timbers (CLT), has earned a high reputation among our customers.
Specific Initiatives at Construction Sites
Greenhouse gas emissions from construction sites are mostly due to the use of heavy machineries and transportation vehicles. Reducing their use is essential to minimizing our environmental impact. As emissions from civil engineering works are particularly high, taking measures for the process of transporting earth dug out from the site and other materials results in significant emissions reduction, while simultaneously enhancing safety by reducing the number of vehicle trips. At Tokyu Construction, all our construction site employees and workers remain committed to cutting our CO2 emissions and minimizing our environmental impact.
Developing Materials for Reducing Environmental Impact
In the field of concrete, a major construction material, we are taking on the challenge of achieving decarbonization and zero waste by leveraging three technologies: CELBIC , a low-carbon concrete; SUSTAR , an alternative mortar with lower environmental impact; and concrete using electric arc furnace oxidizing slag as fine aggregates.
Green Infrastructure Demonstration Facility
As localized downpours in urban areas have become more frequent in recent years, we established a green infrastructure* demonstration facility that makes the most of the natural environment’s functions on the grounds of our Institute of Technology in 2018. The facility was designed with the key themes of storing, using and naturally circulating rainwater, as well as enabling living things to live and grow. The objectives were to verify (1) measures addressing urban torrential rains (stormwater runoff control and better infiltration) and (2) technologies related to environmental conservation (effective use of rainwater, facilitating water circulation, creating biotopes and habitats for plants and animals).
Green infrastructure: A concept that advocates making the most of the natural environment’s functions, such as disaster risk reduction and biodiversity conservation, to promote the development of sustainable communities.
Overview of the green infrastructure demonstration facility
Illustration showing measure for better stormwater infiltration
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The results of our environmental measurements showed the effectiveness of the stormwater storage and runoff control during torrential rains. Aside from functioning as a waterside biotope, the facility also mitigates the urban heat island effect. We also confirmed its effectiveness in conserving biodiversity by successfully breeding successive generations of the Japanese firefly (Luciola lateralis) released in the area and providing a habitat for birds and insects.
Using the data obtained from this demonstration facility, we are considering proposals for disaster risk reduction in urban areas as well as working on environmental conservation activities. We also hope to implement initiatives that involve local communities by utilizing the site for educational activities on biodiversity. 
Demonstration facility
Wildlife observed at the facility: Japanese tits, azure-winged magpies and Japanese fireflies