Addressing climate change

Mizuho is moving ahead with efforts to address climate change by periodically assessing the energy consumption of the entire Group, setting CO₂ emissions reduction targets and devising energy consumption reduction strategies centered on electric power consumption.

CO₂ Emissions Reduction Initiatives

Promoting CO₂ emission reductions mainly by lowering electricity consumption

Over 90% of the CO₂ emissions related to Mizuho's business activities arise from electricity consumption.

Mizuho has set a medium– to long– term CO₂ emissions reduction target and is promoting energy conservation measures centered on electric power. Mizuho's proactive implementation of electric power consumption reduction measures during fiscal 2020 enabled a reduction of 34.8% compared with the base year, a performance that exceeded the target value.

In April 2021 we have set new targets aligned with the Paris Agreement for reducing our GHG emissions toward carbon neutral.

In the years to come, Mizuho will facilitate energy conservation measures centered on electric power conservation.

Reduction target of CO₂ emissions
 

Medium–term target

The target for reducing CO₂ emissions per unit of floor space stemming from electricity usage for the domestic facilities of the Mizuho Financial Group and core group companies in fiscal 2020 is 10.5% below the fiscal 2009 level.

Long–term target

The target for reducing CO₂ emissions per unit of floor space stemming from electricity usage for the domestic facilities of the Mizuho Financial Group and core group companies in fiscal 2030 is 19.0% below the fiscal 2009 level.

Changes in CO₂ emissions at Mizuho Financial Group

Close up

In order to eliminate the effects of changes in emission factors, substitute values in FY2012 based on the Act on Promotion of Global Warming Countermeasures are used for CO₂ emissions. Please note that the data have been reviewed because of changes in applicable locations due to relocation of offices, etc., and, therefore, data differ from information made public previously.

Target to reduce our own environmental footprint

Reduce the FY2019 amount of worldwide Scope 1^* and Scope 2^** greenhouse gas emissions from the eight group companies^*** by 35% by FY2030, and aim to become carbon neutral by FY2050.

^* Scope1: Direct CO2 emissions and energy usage

^** Scope2: Indirect CO2 emissions and energy usage

^*** Mizuho Financial Group, Mizuho Bank, Mizuho Trust & Banking, Mizuho Securities, Mizuho Research & Technologies, Asset Management One, Mizuho Private Wealth Management, and Mizuho Americas.

Further Information

Sustainability Targets and KPIs

ESG Data (Mizuho's energy consumption, Mizuho's CO2 emissions)

Reducing CO₂ emissions through energy efficient facilities and proper management

To attain its CO₂ emission volume reduction target, Mizuho will introduce energy–conserving facilities and take thorough measures to appropriately operate and manage those facilities and implement other energy conservation measures while also working to increase its employees' consciousness of environmental issues as a means of promoting CO₂ emission reductions going forward.

In addition, based on the "Mizuho Environmental Standards" instituted with respect to the environmental friendliness of Mizuho Bank branches, Mizuho Bank is steadily expanding the number of its "Environment Friendly Branches — Mizuho Eco–Branches" equipped with solar cell power generation systems and LED lighting fixtures. Existing branches that install new equipment and renovate existing equipment based on the "Mizuho Environmental Standards" are achieving energy usage reductions of approximately 10%.

Principal Energy Conservation Measures

Facility–Related Measures	Introduction of such energy–conserving equipment as air conditioning equipment, LED lighting fixtures, and motion–sensor switches Introduction of heat–blocking films on windows and heat–blocking curtains Renovation of equipment to introduce such high–efficiency equipment as inverter–controlled cooling units Mizuho Bank has installed solar panels at its eco-branche (Nagatsuda Branch), and supplies approximately 3000 kWh of electricity annually from renewable energy.
Operations–Related Measures	Thorough management of air conditioning temperature settings and reduction of number of air conditioning units used Thinning out of lighting fixtures in hallways and elevator lobbies and improved control of those fixtures Restricting the use of a portion of office automation equipment units Thorough measures to ensure computer monitors are turned off when employees are away from their seats Summer closures of training centers, etc., and thorough management of heating/cooling temperature settings at such facilities Proactive promotion of telephone/video conferencing to reduce the number of business trips (MHBK)
Employee Consciousness–Related Measures	Implement "Cool–Biz" and "Warm–Biz" seasonal apparel promotion programs Promote the "visualization" of energy usage/CO2 emission data for each branch and other facility (MHBK, MHTB, MHRT) Increase employee consciousness of energy conservation/the saving of resources

Promoting the adoption and operation of environment–friendly vehicles

Group companies centered on Mizuho Bank have reevaluated their low–usage–level motor vehicles, completely eliminating the use of marketing–use motorcycles and progressively reducing the number of automobiles while concurrently moving ahead with the introduction of hybrid vehicles and other low–pollution vehicles and shifting to the use of electric bicycles. The amount of NOx generated by motor vehicles operated in the Tokyo Metropolitan region by Mizuho Bank, Mizuho Trust & Banking and Mizuho Securities during fiscal 2019 was 35kg.

Going forward, plans call for moving further ahead with the introduction of hybrid vehicles and other low–pollution vehicles, while also encouraging drivers to reduce engine idling time periods, adopt other "eco–driving" techniques, and implement other measures to further reduce CO₂ emission volume.

Initiatives Taken in Response to National and Local Laws, Ordinances, and Requirements

In Japan, the national government has passed the Act on the Rational Use of Energy (Energy Conservation Law), and local environmental ordinances require that business facilities emitting more than a certain level of greenhouse gases submit and disclose plans for fighting global warming. Mizuho is submitting reports for each of its facilities covered by the ordinances and is striving to reduce energy usage and the volume of CO₂ emissions associated with each facility. Specifically, in line with the requirements of the Energy Conservation Law, Mizuho is working to cut back annual energy consumption per unit by 1% or more on average, and is endeavoring to attain the targets set by local governments.

Tokyo Metropolitan Environmental Security Ordinance

Based on "the Tokyo Cap–and–Trade Program" (for large facilities) and "the Tokyo Carbon Reduction Reporting Program" (for small and medium scale facilities) promoted by The Tokyo Metropolitan Government, relevant Mizuho Group companies have formulated policies for responding to global warming (climate change) and have submitted the reports shown below to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government. In addition, facilities subject to "the Tokyo Cap–and–Trade Program" have undergone third–party audits. (PDF/8,445KB) In addition for properties managed in trust, the Mizuho Group collects information and submits reports to the Tokyo metropolitan government on energy usage and greenhouse gas emissions.

Tokyo Metropolitan Government, "The Tokyo Cap–and–Trade Program"

Required Facilities		Tokyo Carbon Reduction Plan (Japanese Text Only)
MHBK	Administration Center 1	FY2019 (PDF/328KB)
	Administration Center 2	FY2019 (PDF/310KB)
	Information Center	FY2019 (PDF/314KB)
	Haramachi Building	FY2019 (PDF/305KB)
MHIR*	Information Center	FY2019 (PDF/309KB)

Tokyo Metropolitan Government, "The Tokyo Carbon Reduction Reporting Program"

Required Entities	Tokyo Carbon Reduction Report (Japanese Text Only)
MHBK	FY2009–
MHTB	FY2009–
MHIR*	FY2009–

^* Currently Mizuho Research & Technologies (Mizuho Information & Research Institute and Mizuho Research Institute merged on April 1, 2021.)

Saitama Prefecture, "The Global warming strategy evaluation method form"

Under "the Saitama Global warming strategy evaluation method form" in accordance with "the Saitama Prefecture Global Warming Strategy Promotion Ordinance", Mizuho submitted the evaluation method form on required facilities, including manned branches and some un–manned branches with only ATMs, in Saitama prefecture as follows:

Required Entity	The Global warming strategy evaluation form (Japanese Text Only)
MHBK	FY2018 (PDF/353KB)

City of Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture, "The CO₂ Emission Reduction Program"

Based on the "CO₂ Emissions Reduction Program" specified in the "Ordinance to Preserve the Living Environment", business facilities emitting more than a certain level of greenhouse gases are required to submit and disclose plans for preventing global warming.

Mizuho submitted the CO₂ Emissions Reduction Plan and Report on required facilities in the city of Yokohama as follows:

Required Entity	CO2 Emissions Reduction Plan (Japanese Text Only)	CO2 Emissions Reduction Report (Japanese Text Only)
MHBK	(PDF/106KB)	FY2018 (PDF/316KB) FY2017 (PDF/43KB) FY2016 (PDF/262KB)

Mizuho Bank was awarded the 2020 Yokohama Prize for Climate Change Actions in recognition of its efforts to reduce emissions between fiscal 2016 and 2018.