Intelligent CXO Issue 22 | Page 45

CXO INSIGHT
When did sustainability become a focus for Epson and why ?
Epson was founded in 1942 in Suwa , a city within the environmentally-rich Negano Prefecture in Japan . From the start , Epson ’ s founders made a conscious effort to co-exist harmoniously with the local community , ensuring their rich environment never wavered . Epson wanted the environment to be in a better condition with the organisation ’ s presence than without it . This mission became a global benchmark for Epson ’ s global operations and remains the central guiding value for everything we do to this present day .
Epson ’ s environmental technology development is an exciting area of innovation , where it is pursuing additional dry fibre technology applications – the same technology behind PaperLab , our in-office paper recycling device – along with naturally derived materials , material recycling and CO 2 absorption technology .
EPSON WANTED THE ENVIRONMENT TO BE IN A BETTER CONDITION WITH THE ORGANISATION ’ S PRESENCE THAN WITHOUT IT .
Besides launching a new range , how else is Epson improving its sustainability ?
Sustainability is integral to every part of the company ’ s operations – from the smallest lightbulb to the largest factory . It fuels our innovation , drives our growth and motivates our workforce .
Epson has set clear and ambitious environmental sustainability targets – both near and long-term . These start with immediate initiatives around business travel reductions , switching to 100 % renewable energy , and reducing scope1 , 2 and 3 emissions in line with Science Based Targets by 2025 .
Looking ahead , we ’ ve also committed to spending JP ¥ 100 billion ( around £ 650 million ) by 2030 on decarbonisation , closing the resource loop and developing environmental technology . Our targets for 2030 include reducing greenhouse gas emissions in our supply chain by more than 2 million tonnes and reducing total emissions in line with the 1.5-degree scenario . These initiatives position Epson to meet its Environmental Vision 2050 , which is to become carbon negative and underground resource free by 2050 .
It ’ s also important to us to encourage businesses , governments and consumers to do all they can to reduce technology ’ s impact on the planet . Our Lower the Heat campaign and Climate Reality Barometer research have monitored consumer attitudes to climate change and highlighted what environmental impacts people can make based on the their day-to-day decisions .
Transparency is key to our endeavours , as is maintaining a company culture that prioritises stakeholder awareness of sustainability actions , which is why all of our short- and long-term pursuits to becoming a more sustainable organisation are outlined in our European Sustainability Report .
How do you develop new product technology ?
Epson leverages its proprietary core technologies across inkjet printing , visual communications , robotics and wearables to help solve issues that contribute to sustainability and enrich communities . Moreover , Epson products are produced by Epson technology , at Epson facilities , by Epson people , giving us greater control when

TO ITS S WITH A SIGNIFICANT STRATEGY

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