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Environment(E)

Brother Group's Environmental Policy and Environmental Vision 2050

Sustainability

  • 7 AFFORDABLE AND CLEAN ENERGY
  • 12 RESPONSIBLE CONSUMPTION AND PRODUCTION
  • 13 CLIMATE ACTION
  • 15 LIFE ON LAND

Brother Group's Environmental Policy

The Brother Group helps society achieve sustainable development by positively and continuously considering the environmental impact in all aspects of our business operations.

The Brother Group's mission is to place our customers first everywhere, every time, and provide them with superior value, by quickly creating and delivering high-quality products and services. To fulfill the mission, it is essential to help society achieve sustainable development, by positively and continuously considering the environmental impact in all aspects of our business operations. This is the basic philosophy of the Brother Group Environmental Policy, and is set out in the Brother Group Global Charter, originally established in 1999, that provides the foundation for all Brother Group activities in the global marketplace. The charter has been translated into 28 languages and been shared with all our employees in order to create a system that is appropriate for a global company transcending differences in culture and customs.

Guidelines and Development of environmental activities

Concern for the environment shall be the cornerstone of all operations. Safety and environmental impact shall be prime considerations at all stages of the product lifecycle to build a society capable of sustainable development.
With this as the cornerstone, we seek to deploy environmental activities in accordance with the action guidelines given below.

Guidelines

Development of environmental activities

1. We will set environmental targets in all areas (manufacturing, production, and service) and continuously improve their environmental aspects.

Both manufacturing and sales facilities work to acquire ISO 14001 certification, and strive to reduce environmental impact, such as reducing CO2 emissions.

2.We will recognize the importance of reducing energy consumption in all areas (manufacturing, production, and service) and strive to make energy consumption efficient and reduced in the entire Value Chain.

Improve energy-saving performance in products, energy saving at business sites, promote energy consumption reduction and efficiency, including more efficient distribution.

3.We will not limit our activities to the observation of laws and regulations in all countries where we conduct business, but will also act with a strong moral responsibility to prevent pollution and reduce environmental impact.

A rigorous management framework ensures compliance with environmental laws and regulations in respective countries, prevents oversight and omissions, and enables a quick response.

4. We will always consider waste reduction by more efficient use of resources and recycling of products, and will also avoid creating contamination by hazardous substances when designing and developing both technologies and products.

In developing products, eco-consciousness is considered in various aspects (e.g. resource conservation, use of hazardous chemical substances, and ease of recycling).

5.While respecting voluntary activities by each company of the Brother Group, we will also exercise our environmental duties as a united group.

Activities are promoted based on the Brother Group Medium-term Environmental Action Plan, which is the plan for the entire group.

6.We will enhance the environmental understanding and awareness of all employees through activities such as environmental education and PR.

Various educational opportunities are offered to enhance eco-consciousness (including training programs for new employees, technical training programs for engineers, and e-learning programs for all employees).

7. We will actively disclose our environmental efforts to our customers, local communities, and other interested parties to further foster understanding.

Proactive efforts are made to publicize Brother's activities, such as touring facilities with environmental features, participating in exhibitions, offering lessons at elementary schools and other educational institutions, and planting seedlings.

8.We will endeavor to reduce our impact on the ecosystem and to conserve biodiversity in all our operations.

Biodiversity conservation activities include the procurement of biodiversity-conscious raw materials and the use of FSC-certified paper. Projects for the restoration/conservation of forests or other natural habitats are promoted.

Brother Group Environmental Vision 2050

Formulated on March 19, 2018
Revised on July 26, 2021
Revised on January 24, 2022
Revised on March 3, 2025

"The Brother Group Environmental Vision 2050" recognizes the key social issues of climate change, resource depletion, environmental pollution, and destruction of the ecosystem as business risks for the Brother Group and clearly states the group's continuous commitment toward solving these issues over the long term as a company that uses energy and resources to provide products using bio-based items such as paper, thread and cloth.

Three key issues undertaken by the Brother Group

co2 icon

Reduction of CO2 emissions

The vision aims to support the Paris Agreement and contribute toward creating a carbon-free society with zero greenhouse gas emissions.

Medium-term target for FY2030

  • [Scopes 1 and 2] Achieve 65% reduction from the FY2015 level
  • [Scope 3 (Categories 1, 11, and 12)] Achieve 28.5% reduction from the FY2022 level
  • The medium-term target for FY2030 has been recognized as of May 12th 2025, as a target based on scientific evidence (1.5°C target) by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), an international initiative established to help achieve greenhouse gas emission reduction targets.

2050 Vision: Contribution for decarbonized society

The Brother Group will aim to achieve carbon neutrality* in all business operations and minimize CO2 emissions from the entire value chain by 2050 so as to contribute toward creating a carbon-free society.

  • Achieve overall zero CO2 emissions from the Brother Group

Main efforts: Introduction of solar power generation, renewal of air conditioning facilities, renewal and adoption of energy-saving for production facilities, etc.

earth icon

Resource Circulation

The vision aims to ensure sustainable use of resources in business operations and minimize the environmental impact due to wastes.

Medium-term target for FY2030: Reduction in use of virgin materials

  • Reduce the amount of virgin materials used in products*1 by 25%*2 by FY2030 compared to the FY2022 level through the expansion of circular-economy-based businesses and materials recycling.
  • The group's manufacturing facilities continuously endeavor to ensure efficient use of water resources and proper treatment of wastewater.
  • 1: Including packaging materials
  • 2: Applies to the Printing and Solutions Business

2050 Vision: Maximize resource circulation

Toward 2050, the Brother Group will maximize resource circulation to ensure the sustainable use of resources and to minimize the environmental impact due to wastes.
Main efforts: Expansion of circular-economy-based businesses, reuse of products and parts, use of recycled materials, etc.

bird and plant icon

Biodiversity conservation

The vision aims to minimize the environmental impact of business operations and promote activities to restore and conserve the ecosystem beyond the impact.

Medium-term target for FY2030: Reduction of environmental impact on the ecosystem

  • The Brother Group assesses the environmental impact of its business operations on the ecosystem and the effectiveness of restoration and conservation activities, and works to avoid and reduce the environmental impact on the ecosystem.
  • The manufacturing and sales facilities of the entire group work on ecosystem restoration and conservation activities on a voluntary basis depending on the situation in each region.

2050 Vision: Positive net gain for biodiversity

By 2050, the Brother Group will minimize the environmental impact of business operations on the ecosystem and promote activities to restore and conserve the ecosystem beyond the impact.
Main efforts: Biodiversity conservation activities, partnerships with external organizations engaged in nature conservation activities, reduction of CO2 emissions, and promotion of resource circulation

Brother Group's Biodiversity Conservation Policy

Basic Policy

To help build a sustainable society, the Brother Group will endeavor to reduce the impact of its operations on biodiversity and ensure biodiversity conservation through environmental and social contribution activities.

  1. Challenges in management
    • The Brother Group recognizes biodiversity conservation as an important challenge for corporate survival, and works on environmental management.
  2. Business operations
    • The Brother Group identifies the impact of all its operations (including procurement of raw materials) on biodiversity, and constantly endeavors to reduce the impact.
  3. R&D activities
    • The Brother Group gathers information and acquires technologies regarding conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity, and promotes technological development.
  4. Social contribution activities
    • The Brother Group works on biodiversity conservation activities in collaboration with stakeholders including government organizations, local residents, and NGOs.
  5. Activities involving all employees
    • Actions are led by top management, and measures are taken throughout the company to help all employees increase their knowledge about biodiversity and encourage them to work voluntarily on conservation activities.
  6. Communication
    • Details of activities are actively disclosed in and outside the company to raise awareness of biodiversity conservation activities.

Brother Group's Paper Product Procurement Policy

Basic Policy

As a company that uses forest resources, the Brother Group considers it important to avoid any negative impact on the natural environment and local communities through its business activities. Accordingly, it sets forth a paper product procurement policy as follows in June 2024.

  1. Conventions, international laws and regulations, social norms, and the laws and regulations at the place of production of forest resources is observed.
  2. The human rights of local residents and indigenous population at the place of production of forest resources is respected. Human rights as defined by international norms is respected, occupational health and safety are maintained, and the human rights of workers are protected.
  3. Appropriate land use and forest management toward "zero deforestation" is conducted.
  4. Due diligence is performed at each company to clarify the absence of any serious destruction of the natural environment and human rights infringement.
  5. Relevant information regarding the activities and management from manufacturing to use of paper products is disclosed, so that the traceability can be verified.

Brother Group Environmental Action Plan 2024

Brother Group Environmental Action Plan 2024 (2022-2024)

Basic policy

To realize the Brother Group Environmental Vision 2050, the following initiatives will be actively promoted together with stakeholders.

  • Reduce CO2 emissions in the whole value chain
  • Expand sustainable business by promoting resource circulation
  • Reduce the business impact on the ecosystem and increase biodiversity conservation
  • Create eco conscious products
  • Comply with environmental laws and regulations

1. Activities at Brother facilities

  • Reduction of CO2 emissions (Scope 1 and 2)
    1. Reduce CO2 emissions by 47% from the FY2015 level (9%* reduction over the three-year period from 2022–2024)
  • Reduction of water consumption
    1. Reduce quantity of water intake more than previous year at manufacturing facilities (based on sales)
  • Waste reduction
    1. Reduce waste volume more than previous year at manufacturing facilities (based on sales)
  • Biodiversity conservation
    1. Evaluate environmental load and restoration/conservation efforts of all business activities on ecosystems by using a biodiversity assessment method that meets leading international standards
    2. Expand biodiversity conservation activities for the entire group based on the international guidelines for biodiversity
  1. From FY2015
Environmental targets*1 Achievements in FY2023 Self-evaluation
1-1 Achieved a 49.7% reduction from FY2015. (Absolute value) Significantly achieved
1-2 Achieved a 6.5% increase from the previous fiscal year. (Per unit of sales) However, over the three years from FY2022, waste was reduced by 4.9%. Not achieved
1-3 Achieved a 4.5% increase from the previous fiscal year. (Per unit of sales) However, over the three years from FY2022, waste was reduced by 10.4%. Not achieved
1-4 The Brother Group has initiated an assessment of natural capital closely related to biodiversity, such as water, land, and forests. In addition, in February 2025, the Group expressed its support for the disclosure recommendations of the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD) and joined the TNFD Forum in the same month.
Furthermore, a partnership was formed with the World Wide Fund for Nature Japan ("WWF Japan"), and contributions were made to biodiversity conservation through donations to WWF Japan's forest conservation activities.
About 18,000 participants took part in the "zero ocean waste activities*2" targeting all Brother Group locations in Japan and overseas.
The Ministry of the Environment has recognized "Mie Brother's Saiku Kobushi-no-Mori," which BIL has been operating since 2018 as initiatives for biodiversity conservation, as a "Nationally Certified Sustainably Managed Natural Site (second half) in FY2024".		 Achieved
  • The numbers in the chart correspond to the numbers in the "Activities at Brother facilities" section above.
  • To further promote the Brother Group's activities, the Group has been supporting World Oceans Day since FY2021.

2. Activities related to products

  • Reduction of CO2 emissions (Scope 3 — C1, C11, and C12)
    1. Implement measures to reduce CO2 emissions by 150,000 tons*1
  • Circular economy (resource circulation)
    1. Achieve a ratio of virgin materials used in products of 81% or less*2 by FY2024 (recycled resources ratio of 19% or more)
    2. Expand circular economy business
  • Strengthen eco conscious product development
    1. Provide eco-conscious products that meet higher environmental standards in each market region
  • Rebuild risk management system
    1. Rebuild foundation of activities to ensure compliance with environmental laws and regulations related to products
  • Contribute to reducing CO2 emissions for society at large
    1. Establish a process to calculate the contribution toward reducing CO2 emissions for society at large, and calculate/disclose the amount of contribution toward reducing the CO2 emissions of the entire Brother Group.
  • Promote innovation
    1. Identify promising new environmental technologies and implement them in business
  1. Total amount of CO2 emissions reduced by FY2024 through new product environmental measures compared to the business activities in FY2021.
    Examples: Reduction of product size and weight, increase in the use of recycled materials, reduction of standby power consumption, etc. Applies to Printing & Solutions Business, Machinery Business, Nissei Business, Personal & Home Business.
  2. Applies to Printing & Solutions Business, Machinery Business, Personal & Home Business.
Environmental targets Achievements in FY2023 Self-evaluation
2-1 The Brother Group expanded its CO2 emissions reduction initiatives by promoting the sale of compact and energy-efficient products and collaborating with suppliers to reduce emissions during component manufacturing. In its Machinery business and Personal & Home business, the Group also worked to enhance product value for customers, thereby reducing CO2 emissions per unit of sales. As a result, the Brother Group achieved a total reduction of 177,000 tons of CO2 emissions over the three-year period. Achieved
2-2 We implemented measures, such as expanded use of recycled materials mainly in new products and changing to recyclable cushioning materials*1. The ratio of virgin materials has been confirmed to be 79.3% through verification of the amounts of virgin materials used in our products by a third party. Therefore, the target for FY2024 has been achieved. Achieved
2-3 The Brother Group promoted environmentally conscious product design from the early stages of product planning and development for new product lines in the communications and printing equipment segment. Through proactive management aimed at meeting environmental label standards—such as Germany's Blue Angel, Japan's Eco Mark, and the U.S. EPEAT—the Group successfully obtained the respective certifications as scheduled.
To meet the societal requirements of the Blue Angel certification, the Group acquired RBA certification not only at three overseas sites producing the applicable products but also at one site in Japan.
In response to the quantitative environmental information disclosure standards for carbon footprints introduced in Japan's "Green Purchasing Law" and "Eco Mark" system, the Brother Group has promoted disclosure by systematically conducting LCA calculations, including for existing products.
As for EPEAT, stakeholders have finalized significant revisions to its criteria, covering climate change mitigation, sustainable use of resources, reduction of hazardous substance use, responsible supply chains, and standards for consumables for imaging equipment. In response, the Brother Group has begun examining how to develop superior environmentally conscious products that align with these new criteria and fulfill its corporate social responsibility.		 Achieved
2-4 The Brother Group systemized the functions defined under its new management framework for chemical substances in products and began operating the system. For certain management tasks, trial operations were carried out, and the processes were optimized based on the results. Achieved
2-5 Since FY2022, the Brother Group has established a calculation process for its CO2 emissions reduction contribution, with third-party oversight, and has been continuously disclosing this information on its website. In FY2024, the high environmental performance of its SPEEDIO machining center*2 was recognized as contributing to CO2 emissions reduction across society, earning the "Energy Conservation Grand Prize - Director-General's Prize of the Agency for Natural Resources and Energy," awarded by the Energy Conservation Center, Japan. At the same time, the Group also received the "Aichi Environmental Award" sponsored by Aichi Prefecture. In addition, the Group's forklift spot cooler "PureDriveFL"*3 was presented as a leading example of CO2 emissions reduction efforts by a Japanese company at the "CO2 Reduction Contribution Evaluation Session" held during EcoBalance 2024, an international conference organized by experts from industry, government, and academia. Significantly achieved
2-6 The Brother Group has been introduced to new technologies through its investments in venture capital funds and has begun exploring potential applications for implementation at its factories. On-site verification is currently underway at both domestic and overseas sites. Achieved

*1:   From Reducing EPS to Eliminating EPS - A sustainable cushioning material born from innovation

eliminating EPS

*2:   Machine Tools to Improve Productivity and Reduce CO2 Emissions - Brother's Machining Centers Contribute to a Carbon-Free Society

Outstanding energy-saving performance

*3:   Improved working environment while reducing environmental impact - A newly imagined eco-friendly spot cooler that cools with the power of water and wind

spot cooler

3. Environmental communication

  • Information disclosure
    1. Strengthen engagement with stakeholders through the Integrated Report and disclosure of sustainability information
    2. Promote global branding through the special SDGs website "Brother SDGs STORY"
  • Environmental education
    1. Maintain/increase group employees' environmental awareness through eco point activity which is a participatory initiative
    2. Strengthen environmental education for employees for the promotion of group-wide environmental efforts
Environmental targets Achievements in FY2023 Self-evaluation
3-1 On the SDGs special website "Brother SDGs STORY," the Brother Group introduced biodiversity conservation activities at its sales office in Germany*1 and waste reduction efforts at its sales office in the United States,*2 as well as ink cartridge remanufacturing in Europe*3 as a sustainability initiative in its business operations. Achieved
3-2 The Brother Eco Point Program continued to be carried out within the Brother Group.
Measures to raise environmental awareness among employees were continued through the use of an internal commendation system, information dissemination via the intranet and newsletters, e-learning programs, internal seminars, and workshops.		 Achieved

*1:  Creating a Sustainable Society with Honeybees - Protecting local biodiversity and cultural landscape through beekeeping

Creating a Sustainable Society with Honeybees

*2:  A Sustainable Future for the Earth Begins with Earth Day - Year-round Contributions to the Earth by Brother International Corporation (U.S.A)

A Sustainable Future for the Earth Begins with Earth Day

*3:  Printing Business Develops its Ink Cartridge Remanufacturing Capabilities - Aiming to Maximize Resource Circulation

Ink Cartridge Remanufacturing

Brother Group Environmental Action Plan 2027

Brother Group Environmental Action Plan 2027 (2025-2027)

Basic policy

To realize the Brother Group Environmental Vision 2050, the following initiatives will be actively promoted together with stakeholders.

  • Reduce CO2 emissions in the whole value chain
  • Expand sustainable business by promoting resource circulation
  • Reduce the business impact on the ecosystem and increase biodiversity conservation
  • Create eco conscious products
  • Comply with environmental laws and regulations

Environmental Targets

1. Reduction of CO2 Emissions

  • Reduction of CO2 Emissions (Scope 1,2)
    1. Reduce Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 56% (from those of FY2015).
  • Reduction of CO2 Emissions (Scope 3)
    1. Reduce Scope 3 (Categories 1,11 and 12) emissions based on sales*1 by 25.2% (from those of FY2015).
    2. Effectively expand and promote CO2 reduction activities by suppliers.

    *1:  Based on sales: Scope 3 emissions/Group consolidated sales

2. Resource Circulation

  • Responding to Circular Economy
    1. Reduce the amount of virgin materials used in products based on sales*2 by 16.9% (from that of FY2022) (Printing & Solutions Business)
    2. Expand circular economy businesses

    *2:  Based on sales: Volume of virgin materials used in products/sales

  • Reduce Water Usage
    1. Reduce quantity of water intake more than previous year at manufacturing sites (based on sales)*3

    *3:  Based on sales: Quantity of water intake/consolidated group sales

  • Reduce Waste
    1. Reduce waste volume more than previous year at manufacturing sites (based on sales)*4

    *4:  Based on sales: Waste volume/consolidated group sales

3. Biodiversity Conservation

  • Biodiversity Conservation
    1. In order to contribute to become Nature Positive*5, we will expand biodiversity conservation activities across the entire Group based on the international guidelines for biodiversity.

    *5:  Nature Positive: To stop the loss of biodiversity, reverse it, and put it on a path to recovery

4. Environmental Management

  • Provision of Eco-Conscious Products
    1. Provide products that meet higher environmental standards in each market region.
  • Compliance with Laws and Regulations and Response to Social Demands
    1. Effectively and efficiently manage chemical substances in products and respond promptly to laws and regulations.
  • Promotion of Environmental Contributions to the Entire Society
    1. Create eco-conscious products and services, and work with customers to reduce environmental impacts on the entire society.
  • Information Release Based on SDGs Viewpoint
    1. Release sustainability information, including environmental information, to strengthen engagement with stakeholders.
  • Internal Environmental Education
    1. Maintain/promote employee's environmental understanding by enhancing environmental education for all employees to promote environmental activities as the entire Group.

"5R" Concept - the Key to Reducing Environmental Impact

From 1999, the Brother Group has been conducting environmental activities based on the "5Rs," which adds "Refuse" and "Reform" to the 3Rs of "Reduce," "Reuse" and "Recycle" as the basis for establishing a sound material-cycle society. "Reform" in particular is an original idea from the Brother Group for creating value by introducing novel approaches and ideas for changing the state of a waste material.

"5R" concept

"5R" Concept

  • Refuse: Avoid purchase of environmentally burdensome materials whenever possible
  • Reduce: Reduce waste material
  • Reuse: Reuse waste material without processing
  • Reform: Reuse materials in a different form
  • Recycle: Reuse materials as resources
The Brother Group Global Charter
The Brother Group Principles of Social Responsibility
Corporate Governance Structure

Brother SDGs STORY

Brother SDGs STORY

This is a special website which introduces Brother's SDGs activities.

Click for the Earth

Click for the Earth

Brother SDGs STORY "Click for the Earth" is an environmental conservation activity that Brother conducts together with you.

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