Climate Change
Rakuten’s approach : Rakuten strives to leave a better environment for generations to come by leading the fight against climate change.
The Rakuten Group recognizes climate change as one of the most pressing issues facing society today.
Changing weather patterns and the increased risk of extreme weather events affect global citizens as well as our operations. To fulfill our responsibility as a global company and align with our corporate mission, we strive to contribute to the realization of a decarbonized society.
To do so, we assess and disclose our greenhouse gas emissions with the aim of reducing them throughout our value chains by improving energy efficiency, adopting clean energy solutions, and helping our customers reduce their own emissions using our products and services.
Please see our Group Environmental Policy for the full text.
TCFD Index
| Thematic Area | Recommendation | Links |
|---|---|---|
| Governance | Disclose the organization’s governance around climate-related risks and opportunities. | Governance |
| Strategy | Disclose the actual and potential impacts of climate-related risks and opportunities on the organization’s businesses, strategy, and financial planning where such information is material. | Strategy |
| Risk Management | Disclose how the organization identifies, assesses, and manages climate-related risks. | Risk Management |
| Metrics and Targets | Disclose the metrics and targets used to assess and manage relevant climate-related risks and opportunities where such information is material. | Metrics and Targets |
Governance
To strengthen the Rakuten Group’s overall response to climate change, a clear and robust
management structure is essential. Recognizing this,
Environmental Management Department was
established in January 2022 as a dedicated organization to strategically drive environmental
initiatives. In May 2025, to further enhance the integration of sustainability efforts and
environmental strategies across business units, this department was merged with the
Sustainability
Department, and reestablished under the Operations Division as the new
Sustainability Promotion
Department.
The Sustainability Promotion Department is responsible not only for planning and promoting the
Group-wide sustainability strategy, but also for evaluating and monitoring the progress of
sustainability initiatives across all business units and driving continuous improvement.
Important matters related to climate change are overseen at the executive level by the Group COO
(Chief Operating Officer), who also serves as a Board Member and Head of the Operations Division.
Under this direction, the Sustainability Promotion Department works in collaboration with
international initiatives and both internal and external stakeholders to clarify environmental
responsibilities across all business units. It also conducts internal audits covering the completeness
and accuracy of environmental data, progress toward goals, regulatory compliance, and the
identification of risks and opportunities to improve environmental performance, such as energy
efficiency.
In addition, each business unit appoints an environmental point of contact (PIC) who works closely
with the Sustainability Promotion Department. These PICs are responsible for the implementation of
environmental initiatives at the operational level, managing risks and opportunities, and ensuring
effective information sharing.
Under this three-layered structure—executive leadership, the Sustainability Promotion Department,
and environmental PICs—we are strengthening our ability to address climate change across the
Group.
Progress and key activities are reported quarterly to the Group Sustainability Committee via the
Environmental Subcommittee, which may also recommend further analysis or decision-making as
needed. These updates are also reported to the Board of Directors on a quarterly basis to ensure
proper governance at the Group level.
Strategy
We conducted a scenario analysis to identify climate-related transition risks (risks related to the transition to a decarbonized society), physical risks (risks related to the physical impacts of climate change), and opportunities for the entire Rakuten Group.
Set Scenarios and References
| Scenario | Reference |
|---|---|
| Scenario in which a decarbonized society is realized quickly (1.5 degrees Celsius scenario) |
Net Zero Emissions by 2050 Scenario (NZE) by International Energy Agency (IEA) |
| Scenario in which physical impacts become apparent (4 degrees Celsius scenario) |
Representative Concentration Pathways (RCP8.5) in the 5th Assessment Report released by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) |
Identified Risks/Opportunities and Responses/Initiatives
| 1.5 degrees Celsius Scenario | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Category | Type | Main Risk / Opportunity | Time Horizon | Impact | Response / Initiative |
| Transition Risk | Policy & Legal | Increased reporting obligations for environmental metrics | Short - Long | Small | ・Improvement of internal structures for environmental data collection |
| Introduction of carbon pricing mechanisms (such as carbon tax) | Mid - Long | Small | ・Reinforcement of GHG reduction initiatives through energy efficiency improvement/renewable energy adoption | ||
| Market | Loss of revenue opportunities due to delayed development and delivery of decarbonized products/services | Mid - Long | Small | ・Enhanced development of environmentally conscious services ・Promotion of campaigns for raising environmental awareness |
|
| Reputation | Reduced revenue or degraded reputation due to insufficient climate change countermeasures | Mid - Long | Small | ・Active ESG-related information disclosure ・Reinforcement of GHG reduction initiatives |
|
| Opportunity | Resource Efficiency |
Increased introduction of new technology for climate change response | Short - Long | Large | ・Reinforcement of initiatives to optimize resource distribution utilizing artificial intelligence (AI) |
| Energy Source | Increased use of renewable energy in response to rising carbon prices | Short - Long | Medium | ・Promotion of renewable energy adoption through participation in RE100 | |
| Products/ Services |
Increased environmentally conscious customer behavior due to increased interest in environmental issues | Short - Long | Medium | ・Improvement of brand image through promotion of GHG reduction initiatives ・Improvement of external information disclosure |
|
| Market | Increased use of public-sector incentives | Short - Long | Medium | ・Improvement of reputation through participation in public-sector projects | |
| 4 degrees Celsius Scenario | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Category | Type | Main Risk | Time Horizon | Impact | Response / Initiative |
| Physical Risk | Acute | Increased business damage due to extreme weather events (such as droughts, floods, typhoons, and hurricanes) |
Short - Long | Medium | ・Improvement of BCP (Business Continuity Plan) ・Improvement of disaster countermeasures |
| Chronic | Increased electricity costs for data center equipment cooling due to rising temperatures | Mid - Long | Small | ・Promotion of energy efficiency improvement initiatives at data centers ・Promotion of research and development for energy efficiency improvement |
|
Definitions of Time Horizon / Impact
| 【Time Horizon】 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Label | Description | |
| Short-term | Next 3 years | |
| Mid-term | -2030 | |
| Long-term | 2030- | |
| 【Impact(Risk)】 | |
|---|---|
| Label | Description |
| Small | Little impact |
| Medium | Services and/or operations are delayed |
| Large | Services and/or operations are disrupted |
| 【Impact(Opportunity)】 | |
|---|---|
| Label | Description |
| Small | Little impact |
| Medium | Some services and/or operations are impacted |
| Large | Entire group is impacted |
Risk Management
Climate-related risks are identified, assessed, and managed as part of Enterprise Risk Management (ERM), Rakuten Group’s risk management framework, by the Environmental Management Promotion Department.
For more details on Rakuten’s ERM, visit the Risk Management page.
Metrics and Targets
To manage the risks and opportunities posed by climate change to our company, we are pro-actively managing environmental impact data, including greenhouse gas Scope 1 emissions (direct greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the company itself), Scope 2 emissions (indirect emissions accompanying the use of heat, steam, and electricity supplied by other companies), and Scope 3 emissions (indirect emissions other than Scope 1 and Scope 2).
Data for each metric is updated in the ESG Databook around June every year.
As a step towards realizing a decarbonized society, the Rakuten Group achieved carbon neutrality, or net-zero*1 greenhouse gas emissions*2, from all Group business operations, including consolidated subsidiaries, in 2023. Please see our press releasefor more information.
Starting in 2024, Rakuten Group's greenhouse gas emission reduction targets are outlined in the table below. These targets have been certified as Science Based Targets (SBT) by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi*3), which is an international climate change initiative. Please see our press releasefor more information.
| Metrics | Targets | |
|---|---|---|
| Scope1 emissions | Direct greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the company itself |
・Reduce absolute scope1 and 2 emissions 99.7% by 2032 from a 2022 base year |
| Scope2 emissions | Indirect emissions accompanying the use of heat, steam, and electricity supplied by other companies |
|
| Scope3 emissions | Indirect emissions other than Scope1 and Scope2 | ・Reduce absolute scope3 emissions 30.0% by 2032 from a 2022 base year ・Reduce scope3 emissions from all sold electricity 76.8% per MWh by 2032 from a 2022 base year |
*1 We promoted energy efficiency and renewable energy adoption groupwide for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and offset remaining emissions by using carbon credits and investing in reduction activities
*2 Total of Scope 1 emissions (direct greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the company itself) and Scope 2 emissions (indirect emissions accompanying the use of heat, steam, and electricity supplied by other companies), with third-party verification obtained and estimated in accordance with the GHG Protocol, the international standard for estimating and reporting GHG emissions volume
*3 The SBTi is an international climate change initiative jointly established by the United Nations Global Compact, CDP (an international NGO tackling climate change and related issues), WRI (World Resources Institute), and WWF (World Wide Fund for Nature).
Rakuten’s Efforts
In Our Own Operations
Over 97% of Rakuten's energy usage is electricity, 95% of which is consumed in our mobile network, data centers and offices.
Improving the efficiency of our facilities' electricity usage and managing the sources of the electricity we use are the necessary first steps towards greener operations and minimizing our environmental impact. We promote various measures across the Group by raising our employees’ environmental awareness through e-learning courses and Asakai (weekly all-hands morning meetings).
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Mobile Network
Rakuten Mobile and Rakuten Symphony are advancing the development of AI-driven technologies aimed at improving energy efficiency across mobile networks. Rakuten Mobile has become the first in Japan* to deploy the RAN Intelligent Controller (RIC)—a function that enables AI-based management and control of the Radio Access Network (RAN)—into its large-scale commercial Open RAN network, successfully reducing network power consumption. Nationwide deployment is planned within 2025, targeting approximately a 20% reduction in energy consumption compared to conventional operations. Moving forward, the rollout will be gradually expanded to further enhance the environmentally conscious operation of mobile networks.
* Based on Rakuten Mobile research as of May 27, 2025, regarding the deployment of RIC in commercial 4G and 5G Open RAN networks among the three major MNOs in Japan.
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Data Centers
At our domestic data centers, we cool down our servers efficiently by filling in the gap between the server racks with blanking panels and separating the hot air zones from the cold air zones. Without the panels, the hot air emitted from the servers can recirculate back to the server racks, making the fans work more to compensate for the increased temperature. This results in a negative loop of inefficient cooling, leading to higher energy consumption. By adding blanking panels and separating the air, we can ensure that the hot and cold air does not mix, raising the overall temperature. Blanking panels are one of the fundamental ways to ensure good airflow in our server rooms.
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Offices
Some Rakuten offices are housed in green buildings. Our Japan headquarters, Rakuten Crimson House, is situated in the Futakotamagawa Rise complex, one of Japan's few LEED-Gold-certified* commercial facilities.
We turn off monitors, lights, and electronic in-office appliances during non-working hours to conserve energy and avoid standby power.* "Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design" - A framework established by the non-profit U.S. Green Building Council, providing ratings for the world's greenest buildings.
The Sustainability Promotion Department conducts energy management audits at key office locations, analyzing management systems, energy usage, and actual facility operations based on data-driven investigations. These audits help identify high-energy-consumption areas and uncover opportunities for efficiency improvements, thereby enabling more effective promotion of energy- saving initiatives. The findings are compiled into an “Environmental Activity Check Report” and shared with the respective office representatives.
In addition, initiatives and achievements from each site are continuously documented and shared internally as best practices. Based on these practical examples, tailored improvement proposals are provided for each office, aiming to drive more effective energy-saving actions.
We believe that taking small, steady steps like these is essential to making meaningful progress toward a brighter future. Moving forward, we will work to raise the standards of office operations and usage across the entire Group, further strengthening our efforts to reduce environmental impact. -
Sports Facilities
We are promoting the use of LEDs to improve lighting energy efficiency at sports stadiums. Approximately 5,800 lights used for home games, events, and daily operations at Vissel Kobe’s Noevir Stadium, including the pitch lighting, various rooms, corridors, and concourses, have been converted to LEDs. In addition, the night game lighting system at Rakuten Mobile Park Miyagi, home of the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles, has been fully upgraded to LED.
* This full LED conversion has reduced electricity consumption for night game lighting by approximately 60%.
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On-site Power Generation
At Rakuten Crimson House West, our branch office in California, we have installed rooftop solar panels with a total capacity of 92.4kW that have continuously provided part of the office's electricity needs since mid-2020.
The Rakuten Fulfillment Center Matsudo in Japan has over 4,300 solar panels installed, making it the first Rakuten Group warehouse with solar panels. -
Raising Employee Awareness
The Rakuten Group actively promotes a variety of awareness-raising initiatives to encourage each employee to take ownership in addressing climate change. Information on climate change and sustainability is regularly shared during the company-wide morning meetings “Asakai” attended by all employees, and is also communicated through the monthly Sustainability Newsletter.
In addition, energy-saving effects are visualized each month and displayed on office monitors, and annual e-learning programs are conducted to foster energy-conscious behavior in daily operations. Rakuten has also established mechanisms that support behavioral change, including incentive programs such as the Sustainability Action Award, which recognizes sustainable actions, as well as initiatives to promote the use of volunteer leave for notably environmental protection activities.
Overall Value Chain
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Engaging Users
Creating a greener future requires community efforts that go beyond Scope 1 and Scope 2. Companies must provide environmentally responsible options and encourage consumers to choose those in their daily lives.
In 2022, Rakuten launched the "Go Green Together" project, aiming to realize a sustainable society by providing users with more environmentally responsible lifestyle choices through the various Group services. The "Go Green Together" website provides practical tips and content for tackling climate change and other environmental problems.
In May 2024, we also launched the “Rakuten Green Empowerment” website in Japanese, which introduces users to how they can reduce their environmental impact by using Rakuten services.
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Product Delivery Options
The "last-mile" journey is a critical step in the package delivery process, as e-commerce has become a primary means of shopping in consumers' daily lives. Product re-deliveries carry significant environmental costs as they result in increased carbon emissions compared to when the delivery is completed on the first attempt. In Japan, re-deliveries are estimated to generate additional CO2 emissions of approximately 254,000 tons* per year. Rakuten is collaborating with delivery partners and customers to reduce the weight of product packaging and improve the efficiency of product delivery through the use of AI. For example, Rakuten Ichiba offers customers several alternative delivery options; customers can pick up their packages at the closest convenience store, post office, or HAKO POST locker. Customers can also select their preferred delivery date and time to ensure they are home to receive their packages.
* Data from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism.
Partnerships & Initiatives
Rakuten participates in both domestic and international partnerships and initiatives to collaborate with stakeholders on achieving the goals of the Paris Agreement and tackling climate change.
When new directions related to climate change or other issues arise within the partnerships and
initiatives in which Rakuten participates, the Sustainability Promotion Department reviews whether
they align with the Rakuten Group’s environmental policies and actions, as well as with international
frameworks such as the Paris Agreement.
If it is determined that there are discrepancies between the new direction and the Rakuten Group’s
policies, the Sustainability Promotion Department will consider making recommendations to the
respective partnership or initiative or potentially withdrawing from it.
Any matters under consideration that may have a broader impact on the entire Group are reported to
the Group COO, who chairs the Group Sustainability Committee. These matters are then discussed
and addressed at the Group Sustainability Committee and the Environmental Subcommittee. When
necessary, updates and decisions are also reported to the Board of Directors.
In 2024, besides our membership to the Japan Association of New Economy, none of our lobbying
activities nor trade association participation were related to climate action.
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RE100
Rakuten Group, Inc. joined the international initiative RE100 in December 2019. We committed to switching to 100% renewably sourced electricity through the initiative for all Rakuten Group, Inc. business operations. In FY2023, we successfully achieved adopting 100% renewable electricity for all Group operations.
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TCFD
We officially supported the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) in December 2019 to adopt TCFD's recommendations in our risk mitigation strategies. We consider a range of scenarios and map out the risks across our businesses.
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Japan Climate Initiative
The Japan Climate Initiative (JCI) is a network of Japanese private organizations actively engaged in climate action. We joined JCI in December 2019, pledging to stand at the forefront of society’s decarbonization as envisioned in the Paris Agreement.
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CDP
CDP is widely recognized as the global standard for climate-related information disclosure, with over 22,700 respondents worldwide. We have been responding to the CDP Climate Change survey since 2017. In 2024, Rakuten received an “A” rating—the highest score—in the CDP Climate Change assessment.
See our response to CDP. -
JANE: Carbon Neutral Working Group
The Rakuten Group has been a member of the Japan Association of New Economy (JANE) since its establishment and participates in the Carbon Neutral Working Group, which was launched in 2022. Within the group, Rakuten plays a leading role in the “Consumer Behavior Transformation
Subcommittee.”
Through this initiative, we collaborate with other member companies to exchange information, share perspectives, and contribute policy proposals to relevant government agencies. These efforts aim to build a shared vision for achieving Green Transformation (GX) in Japan and to reflect public
interests in the policymaking process.
Policy Proposal by the Carbon Neutral Working Group:
https://jane.or.jp/app/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/20250430_cnwg.pdf -
Decokatsu
“Decokatsu” is a “National Movement for New and Prosperous Lifestyles toward Decarbonization” led by the Ministry of the Environment to realize 2030 emission reduction targets and carbon neutrality in 2050. Rakuten made its “decokatsu declaration” in August 2023. As a “Positive Action Initiative”, Rakuten is working on the level design of environmental actions, creating standards for CO2 reduction impacts, and visualization of environmental actions and CO2 reductions for individual consumers and the nation as a whole.