Suntory has published its first climate transition plan, setting out a path to reduce emissions across its operations and supply chain while preparing the business for rising climate risks. The Japanese drinks group said it reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 19% between 2019 and 2025 and now aims for a 30% cut in absolute Scope 1, Scope 2 and Scope 3 emissions by 2030, compared with the 2019 baseline, before a 90% reduction by 2050.
Packaging and raw materials are identified as the largest contributors to the company’s footprint, even though emissions tied to packaging fell 38% over the same period and those from raw materials declined 12%. In contrast, emissions associated with co-manufactured finished products increased 26%, highlighting the group’s dependence on suppliers and contract partners to meet its goals.
Packaging reform at the centre
The plan gives particular weight to packaging changes, including reducing material use, increasing recycled content and redesigning containers. Suntory wants all primary polyethylene terephthalate packaging to be made either from 100% recycled material or produced without fossil fuels.
Those aims sit within a broader commitment to net-zero emissions across the value chain by 2050, according to the company’s sustainability material. The company has also engaged suppliers representing more than half of its Scope 3 emissions. It expects further progress to depend on changes in production methods, energy consumption and material choices throughout the supply chain.
Costs and delivery conditions
Suntory estimates it will spend €185.4m, or £156m, on climate-related operating costs between 2027 and 2030. Packaging accounts for the bulk of that sum, according to the plan.
The 2030 goal is framed as an absolute reduction, requiring lower total emissions rather than an intensity-based decline. The 26% increase in emissions from co-manufactured finished products shows where the challenge is concentrated: much of the footprint sits outside Suntory’s direct control, in supplier operations and contract manufacturing.
The plan therefore combines changes to Suntory’s own packaging and operations with efforts to influence partners. The company says its packaging and raw-material emissions have already fallen, but the overall value-chain goal will depend on whether suppliers can alter production methods, energy use and material choices at the pace required.
Suntory frames the plan as a way to protect operations from rising climate risks as well as reduce emissions. It positions packaging reform and supplier engagement as central to delivering the 2050 net-zero value-chain commitment. The plan covers both the group’s own operations and its wider value chain, where packaging and raw materials are identified as the main contributors.