Suntory has published its first climate transition plan, setting out how the Japanese drinks group intends to reduce emissions across its business and supply chain while protecting operations from rising climate risks. The plan combines near-term and long-term targets with a detailed focus on packaging and raw materials, which the company identifies as the largest contributors to its value-chain footprint.
The company says it cut greenhouse gas emissions by 19% between 2019 and 2025. It is now targeting a 30% reduction in absolute Scope 1, Scope 2 and Scope 3 emissions by 2030 against that 2019 baseline, followed by a 90% cut by 2050. Suntory’s own sustainability material places these goals within a broader commitment to net-zero emissions across the value chain by 2050.
Packaging remains a priority
Packaging and raw materials have been singled out as the main contributors, even though Suntory reports that emissions linked to packaging fell by 38% between 2019 and 2025 and those from raw materials declined by 12%. The company still treats packaging as a priority, indicating that earlier reductions have not removed it from the core of the transition plan.
By contrast, emissions associated with co-manufactured finished products rose by 26%. That increase underlines how far Suntory must rely on suppliers and contract partners to deliver its targets, because these parties influence production methods, energy use and material choices across the value chain.
The plan puts particular emphasis on packaging reform, including reduced material use, higher recycled content and redesigned containers. Suntory says it wants all primary polyethylene terephthalate packaging to be either made from 100% recycled material or produced without fossil fuels. The wording focuses on primary PET packaging rather than every packaging format the group uses.
Supplier engagement and spending
Suntory has engaged suppliers representing more than half of its Scope 3 emissions. It says further progress is expected to depend on changes to production methods, energy consumption and material choices across the chain. That makes supplier engagement central to the plan’s delivery, not just to its target-setting.
The group estimates it will spend €185.4m (£156m) on climate-related operating costs between 2027 and 2030, with packaging accounting for the bulk of that sum. The figure gives the packaging programme a specific cost envelope, with packaging identified as the largest area of climate-related operating spending.
The plan links corporate targets to supplier engagement, container design and contract-manufacturing relationships, areas Suntory identifies as central to delivery. Suntory’s reported progress and remaining pressure points will be measured against the 2030 and 2050 goals, with packaging reform and supplier performance among the most visible areas to watch.