Making our climate the priority
As global temperatures rise due to the increasing concentration of greenhouse gases (GHGs), we are witnessing extreme weather events, rising sea levels, and widespread ecological damage. At Sharp, we recognise the urgency of addressing climate change and are committed to taking action to reduce emissions associated with our operations and value chain. We have set the target to achieve Net Zero CO2 emissions across our business activities by 2050, supported by interim reduction targets including reducing operational emissions, increasing our use of renewable energy, and developing products and services that support lower-carbon outcomes.
On this page, you’ll learn more about our sustainability initiatives, from reducing emissions and transitioning to renewable energy, working towards supporting a more circular economy.
Our climate action focuses on:
- Reducing GHG emissions
- Increasing the use of renewable energy
- Improving the recyclability of selected products
- Strengthening supply chain standards
- Supporting recognised climate initiatives
We track progress against our emissions reduction targets, aligning with the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) framework. For instance, Sharp Group’s GHG emissions from business activities were reduced by 39.9% in fiscal 2024*, totalling 820,000 tonnes of CO₂, compared to the previous fiscal year. Further details on the scope, methodology, and drivers of this change are provided in our disclosures.
Our strategy includes improving factory efficiency, increasing the use of renewable energy, and transitioning selected transport activities to lower-emission alternatives. Production sites are working to strengthen efforts to optimise energy efficiency and reduce emissions. This involves enhancing all equipment and systems – ranging from production lines to utilities, such as electricity, gas, and water. In particular, our energy-intensive LCD and electronic component plants are key areas of focus for improvement.
We are also installing on-site solar power systems at selected locations and implementing measures to reduce overall electricity consumption.
*As seen in our 2025 Sustainability Report
Our sustainability initiatives
Protecting the environment
At Sharp, energy efficiency and resource conservation are central to our production processes, supporting our Net Zero by 2050 pledge. We adhere to applicable environmental, health and safety regulations and internal standards, to minimise risks and ensure compliance. Chemical safety remains a priority, with controls in place to help reduce consumption while maintaining operational efficiency.
In fiscal 2024, we reduced water usage by 5% and new water consumption by 5% compared to the previous year. Through a closed-loop recycling system, a significant amount of discharged water is collected and reused, maintaining a recycling rate of at least 60%.
We are also working to reduce the use of certain hazardous substances in our products, in line with applicable regulations, and to monitor materials of potential concern. These efforts are intended to minimise environmental impact and support the protection of human health.
Increasing Renewable Energy Use
Beyond actively upgrading our facilities, services, and products to increase sustainability, our target is to achieve 100% renewable energy across all business activities. An example of this is our manufacturing base in China, which generated 5,511,960 kWh of renewable energy in 2023 fiscal year.
In alignment with our Sharp Eco Vision and RE100, we are accelerating efforts to achieve our goal of producing more clean energy than the total amount consumed across our supply chain.
We are focused on three core areas:
- Solar Power: Expanding solar installations across facilities for more renewable energy production
- Electric Vehicles: Transitioning company fleets to electric vehicles to reduce operational greenhouse gas emissions
- RE100: we joined the RE100 initiative in 2024, committing to achieving 100% renewable energy
Saving energy through product design
At Sharp, sustainability influences every stage of our product design, aimed at reducing energy consumption which can contribute to lower energy-related emissions during product use.
Our energy-efficient multifunction printers reduce standby-mode energy usage by 40%, similarly our innovative ePaper displays consume no power when not in use and displaying static content.
Additionally, our displays are shipped with energy-saving presets that minimise energy consumption and extend product lifespans. We further complement these efforts by designing recyclable packaging for our displays.
Reducing packaging
Our commitment to sustainability extends across parts of our supply chain. We’ve made significant strides in reducing our environmental impact through smarter packaging and transportation strategies.
We have launched the A4 devices BP-C131WD and BP-C131PW whose compact, space-saving design contributes to reducing CO₂ which can help reduce transport-related emissions. Furthermore, the packaging uses reduced plastic, utilising fully recyclable cardboard materials* to minimise environmental impact.
Display product packaging is now 100% recyclable depending on the availability of appropriate recycling infrastructure. By optimising Display packaging sizes, we have reduced material usage and cut freight costs, which can save up to 35% in CO₂ emissions from transport. These emissions have been cut further by reduction in airfreight volumes – the result of switching to suppliers located closer to factories.
*Refer to local recycling infrastructure
Investing in recyclability
Recyclability is an important focus area in Sharp’s sustainability approach. Our products are designed with the environment in mind, incorporating recyclable materials across various technologies.
For instance, our toner cartridges are designed in line with Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) guidelines and achieve up to 97% recyclability based on material composition. We are increasing the recycled content and working to improve the recyclability of our products and aim to use 50% recycled plastic in MFP production. Our Digital Signage Displays feature a recyclable metal chassis depending on the availability of appropriate recycling infrastructure, achieving a 97.4% recycling rate and supporting a circular economy approach.
By embedding these practices into our manufacturing processes, Sharp is making substantial progress in taking action to reduce environmental impact.
Advancing sustainability
Sharp is working to support sustainability through the development of solar technologies and participation in environmental initiatives, such as climate financing. These activities are part of our broader approach to reducing environmental impact.
Sharp Global's development of advanced solar technologies:
Two compound technologies have been developed that may significantly contribute to improvements in solar energy efficiency.
- Tandem-Junction/Silicon Stacked Solar Cells: This technology combines tandem double-junction solar cell modules with silicon solar cell modules. Prototype modules have demonstrated a reported conversion efficiency of 33.66% under test conditions by converting light across multiple wavelengths.
- Triple-Junction Solar Cells: Sharp’s triple-junction solar cells achieve a conversion efficiency of 32.65%, and have been used in space applications and recently powered JAXA’s (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) lunar mission in January 2024.
We have built a partnership with JAXA for the past 50 years, supplying solar cells for space applications. During this time, we have deepened our knowledge of solar power generation, refined our technology, and are proud to have contributed to space exploration.
Going forward, Sharp Global will continue to conduct research and development to improve solar cell efficiency, including exploring potential applications in areas such as electric vehicles and mobile equipment.
Carbon Capture Partnership
Sharp’s Carbon Capture Partnership forms part of our approach to sustainability by supporting projects beyond our immediate value chain. Through our partnership with Atmoz, we invest in carbon capture initiatives like the Brandon Project, which works to capture carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and repurpose it, combined with other materials, into manufactured limestone. This aligns with the Sharp Eco Vision, our roadmap to achieve net zero emissions by 2050 and promote green technology innovation.