Sumitomo Corporation updated its carbon neutrality target in February 2026 and accordingly revised the related Policies on Climate Change Issues and the medium- and long-term goals under the Material Issue “Overcome climate change.” This website explains the background and details of the carbon neutrality target update as well as the Sumitomo Corporation Group’s initiatives to contribute to the carbon neutrality of society.
Message from the Chief Sustainability, DE&I Officer
The basis for the Sumitomo Corporation Group’s operations can be found in Sumitomo’s Business Philosophy, which has formed the foundation for Sumitomo’s sustainable development over the course of 400 years. One of the credos of this philosophy states: “Benefit for self and others, private and public interests are one and the same.” We interpret this credo advocates Sumitomo’s business activities must benefit not only Sumitomo, but also society around us to achieve sustainable growth together. This credo has been incorporated into Sumitomo Corporation Group’s Corporate Mission Statement. Guided by our Corporate Mission Statement, we have continued to conduct our business activities with the aim of being a global organization that constantly stays a step ahead in dealing with change, creates new value, and contributes broadly to society.
We identified six Material Issues in the form of a commitment to growing together with society and stakeholders, and overcoming climate change is one of those Material Issues. As long-term goals for climate change issues, we set “Aim for the carbon neutrality of the Sumitomo Corporation Group’s businesses by 2050” and “Contribute to the carbon neutrality of society.” As global conditions surrounding climate change have undergone significant fluctuations in recent years, our Group’s stance of continuing to create value while remaining committed to the Material Issues from a medium- and long-term perspective is unchanged.
Under the Medium-Term Management Plan 2026, we are advancing sustainability management with a strong awareness of “expand viewpoint to the entire supply chain”, “strengthen sustainability management at front line of business ” and “strengthen accountability.” The disclosure of all Scope3 categories and update of our carbon neutrality target were implemented in line with this approach. We are strengthening not only initiatives to reduce emissions across the Group, but also efforts aimed at achieving carbon neutrality of society. By leveraging our strengths as an integrated trading company that has been involved in a wide range of businesses, we will bring our internal organizations together and aim to create new business opportunities that contribute to the carbon neutrality of society. Climate change is an issue that must be addressed by the entire world. Going forward, we will continue to pursue various pathways toward solving this issue together with our stakeholders.
Sumitomo Corporation’s Contributions to Reducing GHG Emissions
The Sumitomo Corporation Group set “Overcome climate change” as one of its Material Issues, established the long-term goals of “Aim for the carbon neutrality of the Sumitomo Corporation Group’s businesses by 2050” and “Contribute to the carbon neutrality of society,” and is taking action toward achieving these goals. On this website, we explain these topics from a similar perspective over two pages.
Details of the Material Issues can be found here.
The figure below illustrates the relationship between achieving “Aim for the carbon neutrality of the Sumitomo Corporation Group’s businesses by 2050” and “Contribute to the carbon neutrality of society.”
On the page concerning “Aim for the carbon neutrality of the Sumitomo Corporation Group’s businesses,” we explain the background and reasons for setting the new carbon neutrality boundary of Scope 1/2, which are our direct and indirect emissions, and Scope 3 (Category 13 and 15), which is emissions from the supply chain, as high-priority areas for reduction.
On the page regarding “Contribute to the carbon neutrality of society,” we demonstrate how the Group will contribute to reduce overall societal greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions through its businesses and how it will leverage its strengths as an integrated trading company involved in various industries.
