KDDI plans to accelerate its carbon neutrality timetable and intends to achieve zero CO2 emissions in its business activities by 2030, according to its latest announcement, covering Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions.
In addition, the KDDI Group aims to achieve zero CO2 emissions at its worldwide data centres under its subsidiary, Telehouse, by 2026, with a Group aim of achieving zero CO2 emissions by 2050.
In May 2020, KDDI declared its goal of achieving zero CO2 emissions by 2050 in the KDDI Sustainable Action, KDDI’s SDGs for the year 2030. Subsequently, in response to the Japanese government’s April 2021 target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 46 per cent by 2030, KDDI says that it has been studying ways to achieve carbon neutrality faster, and aims to reach its goal 20 years faster than previously stated.
KDDI emits approximately one million tons of CO2 annually through energy consumption, such as electricity, which is equivalent to about 500,000 average households. Of this amount, 98 per cent is attributable to electricity used at base stations, communication stations, and data centres; and is expected to increase further with the spread of 5G and the increase in telecommunications volumes. Therefore, in order to achieve carbon neutrality much earlier than previously planned, KDDI hopes to reduce power consumption at base stations and telecommunication facilities, and use renewable energy.
Regarding power saving, KDDI expects reductions due to the 3G shutdown caused by the termination of au’s ‘CDMA 1X WIN’ service for 3G cell phones at the end of March 2022. In addition, KDDI says that it will work to reduce CO2 emissions through partnerships and the introduction of new technologies in the areas of power conservation and renewable energy.
By 2024, they also aim to reduce CO2 emissions from communication stations and data centres by introducing energy-efficient solutions with Intel’s latest generation Xeon Scalable processors. The processors include built-in comprehensive power management and artificial intelligence capabilities that enable the company to consistently predict communication volumes and optimise telecommunication equipment, with the potential to achieve up to 20 per cent reduction in power consumption.
Additionally, KDDI plan to utilise advanced liquid immersion systems as an innovative means to cool IT equipment and is considering the introduction of ‘perovskite solar cells’ at base stations.
