CSR 2022 - Our Planet

Recognizing that the Earth is irreplaceable, Canon Medical Systems Corporation strives to develop and provide environmentally conscious medical equipment and systems that contribute to communities and healthcare services. We are committed to this philosophy as we expand our business worldwide and promote environmental activities to the extent that they are feasible in accordance with the Canon Group Environmental Charter and Canon Medical Systems Group Standards of Conduct.

Standards of Conduct Environmental Charter

‘Corporate social responsibility will be a standard topic at my business meetings with the management teams of all subsidiaries worldwide.’
Toshio Takiguchi, President and CEO, Canon Medical Systems Corporation

Climate change

Canon Medical Systems Corporation supports the Paris Climate Agreement and strives to minimize impact on climate change. In 2021, we defined CO₂ emission targets in line with the Japanese government’s proposal of a 46% reduction from 2013 levels by 2030 and carbon neutrality by 2050. To reach carbon neutrality, we closely studied our operations and set internal targets accordingly.
We consider climate change issues even more important as weather conditions become more extreme around the world. This sense of urgency is reflected in the Action Plan we developed in 2021 and will ratify in 2022. In our official Action Plan, climate change will be an important materiality theme accompanied by ambitious targets for the medium and long term.

Our objective is to help minimize climate change through the following
actions:
* Canon Medical Systems Corporation’s production bases, which have a high environmental impact, will carry out CO₂ reduction activities in accordance with Canon Inc. standards.
* Canon Medical Systems Corporation’s sales bases will define and ratify quantitative targets in 2022 and develop activities toward fulfilling those targets from 2023.

We will also continue to improve our processes on monitoring the energy usage in the production and maintenance phase.

Taking care of people means taking care of society.
Takeshi Fukasawa – Manager Ultrasound Department Japan

Our carbon footprint

Our carbon footprint grew from 36.252 tons of CO₂ in 2020 to 37.748 tons of CO₂ in 2021. This is partly due to improved reporting of CO₂ emissions throughout the organization, resulting in more data on energy consumption and thus more reported CO₂ emissions.
However, we also increased the number of manufacturing sites in Japan and the amount of electricity consumed.

Electricity consumption, mainly from production sites, was the major source of our CO₂ emissions in 2021. The second largest source of emissions was business travel. Despite COVID-19 related travel restrictions, we made more business trips in 2021 than in 2020, resulting in a slight increase in emissions.

The results by region are as follows:

Progress footprint per continent

Carbon emissions per continent

Most of the electricity needed for production is consumed in Japan. Our CO₂ emissions caused by fossil fuels are highest in Japan, followed by North America and Europe. We measure our carbon footprint on a monthly basis, including that of our subsidiaries, so we can evaluate and take effective actions to reduce our carbon footprint.

Carbon footprint reduction measures

We are continuously focused on taking measures to reduce energy consumption at our production sites, sales branches and research facilities.
These measures include the use of LED lighting and motion sensor lighting, as well as the introduction of solar panels on warehouse roofs. We also seek to use renewable energy and reduce carbon emissions caused by transportation.

In 2021, the Head Office used the Japanese J-Credit Scheme to purchase credits that offset CO₂ emissions. Certified by the Japanese government, this system allows CO₂ emission reductions and absorption achieved through energy conservation, renewable energy production, and forest management to be traded as credits and used in a variety of ways. Canon Medical Systems Corporation Headquarters is a major emitter of CO₂ and through the J-Credits Scheme we purchased carbon credits equivalent to 10% of our annual CO₂ emissions. In this way, we are contributing to a Low Carbon Society in Japan.

Did you know…

…that our subsidiaries in Austria, Belgium, France, Spain and Sweden, as well as Fysicon, Olea Medical and Skope Magnetic Resonance Technologies, made efforts to include hybrid and electric vehicles in their car fleets and promote the use of public transport and/or car sharing programs?

“We develop a range of ultrasound systems, from the premium systems at universities and hospitals, to tablet size products that are used in clinics. We apply the principles of eco-conscious design and we continue to improve our products by using less raw material and resources in the production phase. Until the end of the life cycle, we regularly offer our customers options for refurbishment that extends the lifetime of their products.”
Takeshi Fukasawa – Manager Ultrasound Department Japan

Packaging material

We are working to reduce the amount of packaging material used during product transport by simplifying the packaging process and cutting down the number of units per system. The total amount of packaging material increased slightly in 2021 (4% more than the 3,046 tons in 2020) due to a rise in sales generally and a rise in sales of larger machines. We have steadily increased our packaging efficiency, while ensuring that products are delivered to our customers safe and sound following shipment and local transport. Setting an example for equipment being transported in Japan, we are utilizing dedicated shipping containers, eco-friendly packaging material (biodegradable fibers, etc.) and only FSC certified wood.

Packing materials used

Caring about biodiversity

Canon Medical Systems Corporation is aware of the role that building grounds can play in supporting ecosystems and species. In Japan, great effort has been made to create a lush habitat in front of the head office. Canon Medical Systems China designated nesting areas around its facilities to support breeding bird species. Olea Medical installed several beehives on its premises to support local bee populations. Canon Medical Systems UK contributed to a mangrove restoration project in Kenya to support biodiversity and carbon offsetting efforts. In addition, Canon Medical Systems Canada introduced a mandatory online e-learning module on biodiversity in 2021 that increases awareness of the importance of biodiversity and encourages discussion on how to support biodiversity in daily work.