Suntory has published its first climate transition plan, setting out how the Japanese drinks group intends to reduce emissions across its business and supply chain while protecting operations from rising climate risks.
The company said it cut greenhouse gas emissions by 19% between 2019 and 2025. It is now aiming for a 30% reduction in absolute Scope 1, Scope 2 and Scope 3 emissions by 2030 against that 2019 baseline, followed by a 90% cut by 2050. Because the goal is set across all three scopes, it covers emissions from Suntory's own operations as well as its wider value chain.
Packaging and raw materials carry the footprint
Packaging and raw materials have been singled out as the main contributors, even though emissions linked to packaging fell by 38% between 2019 and 2025 and those from raw materials declined by 12%, a smaller reduction over the same period.
By contrast, emissions associated with co-manufactured finished products rose by 26%, underlining the extent to which the company must rely on suppliers and contract partners to achieve its targets.
That contrast shapes the plan: emissions in the packaging and raw-material categories are falling, while those tied to contracted manufacturing are rising. Supplier performance therefore becomes a decisive variable rather than a secondary one, and an area the plan must address beyond the company's own plants.
Packaging reform in focus
The plan puts particular emphasis on packaging reform, including reduced material use, higher recycled content and redesigned containers. Suntory said it wants all primary polyethylene terephthalate packaging to be either made from 100% recycled material or produced without fossil fuels.
The company has also engaged suppliers representing more than half of its Scope 3 emissions. It expects further progress to depend on changes to production methods, energy consumption and material choices across the chain.
According to the company's own sustainability material, these goals sit within a broader commitment to net-zero emissions across the value chain by 2050.
Costs and delivery conditions
Suntory estimates it will spend €185.4m (£156m) on climate-related operating costs between 2027 and 2030, with packaging accounting for the bulk of that sum.
The figures describe targets and intentions rather than verified outcomes. The 2030 and 2050 goals depend on supplier engagement, redesigned packaging and changes in production and energy use, and the plan does not yet set out how each of those shifts will be delivered.