SUSTAINABILITY Carbon-free Initiatives

Installation of Store Equipment to Advance Energy Conservation and Energy Creation

Reduction of Per-Store CO2 Emissions by 50% by Fiscal 2030

▲ A freezer and refrigeration system using CO2 coolant
This system has better effects for preventing global warming compared with CFC equipment as well as higher energy-saving effects.

To contribute to the realization of a decarbonized society, Lawson is working to reduce electricity consumption in its stores, and has been actively taking a number of initiatives to achieve this goal, including introducing energy-saving refrigeration equipment that uses CO2 as a refrigerant and solar power generation equipment.
For 2025, the 50th anniversary of our foundation, we have set short-term targets of 15% reduction in CO2 emissions per store compared to 2013 levels, and 50% reduction by 2030, the target year of the SDGs. To achieve these targets (KPIs), we will promote further efforts by combining energy saving and energy creation measures.

Toward Next-Generation Stores with a Low Environmental Burden

Toward the promotion of next-generation stores with
high energy-saving and environmental burden reduction effects

Lawson has been opening environment-friendly model stores at various locations, introducing a variety of systems to save energy and reduce the environmental burden, such as the use of non-CFC refrigerants in refrigerators and freezers used in stores as well as the installation of solar power generation equipment. From November 2022, we began a demonstrative trial at the Kawasaki Nakajima 3-chome Store to promote the spread of next-generation stores with high energy efficiency and low environmental burden. In this demonstrative trial, the initiatives that have been implemented at environment-friendly model stores were integrated in a single store. By installing doors on approximately 80% of the store’s refrigerated and frozen showcases along with solar power generation equipment, the store is designed to reduce electricity consumption by 40% and CO2 emissions by 55% compared to the reference year of 2013. By February 2024, similar stores will be opened in other areas for verification. Based on this demonstrative trial, we aim to make this the standard model for new stores after March 2024, and at the same time, we will proactively promote energy conservation and reduction of the environmental burden in stores by applying the know-how gained from this demonstrative trial to approximately 14,000 existing stores.

Environment-Friendly Model Stores That “Create” and “Reduce” Energy for the Future

Activities of eco-friendly model store (an example)

Lawson Store Fully Equipped with CFC-free (CO2/HC Refrigerants-based) Refrigeration/Freezing Systems
LAWSON Keio University SFC Store

All the refrigerators and freezers in the store, including refrigerated display cases, commercial refrigerators used to store products, and ice makers are all CFC-free (CO2/HC refrigerants-based), which contributes to energy saving and the improvement of global warming caused by CFCs.

Control Store Electricity Consumption by Using Electric Vehicle (EV) as Company Car
LAWSON Keio University SFC Store

Changing the company car for the Supervisor (SV) to an EV makes it possible to create a two-way power flow between the EV and the store by only connecting the EV to the store's EV charger with no need for in-store operation. That is useful to control the store's electricity consumption.

First convenience storeFive-star & ZEB ratings
LAWSON Kodaira Tenjin-cho 2-chome Store

The LAWSON Kodaira Tenjin-cho 2-chome Store, an eco-friendly model store, acquired a five-star rating, the highest in the Building Energy-efficiency Labeling System (BELS), which evaluates the energy-saving performance of buildings on a five-level scale. The store also achieved “net Zero Energy Building” (ZEB), the highest of the three levels (ZEB, Nearly ZEB, and ZEB Ready) in the energy rating system for buildings. If a building has achieved net zero primary energy consumption (energy used for air-conditioning, ventilation, lighting, hot water, etc.) through the use of renewable energy, installation of highly energyefficient equipment etc., the building is given a ZEB rating.

Using cross-laminated timber (CLT) to improve the thermal insulation performance of the building
LAWSON Tatebayashi Kido-cho Store

CLT is a wooden building material consisting of multiple layers of wood boards with orthogonally aligned wood grains, laminated together with adhesives. It has high strength and excellent heat insulation properties. It can be used in store structures and interiors to improve the insulation performance of buildings, reducing the burden on air conditioning systems.

Introduction of Ultra Eco-Ice (thermal storage tank for refrigeration)
LAWSON Tatebayashi Kido-cho Store

Aiming to save energy through efficient operation, we introduced Ultra Eco-Ice, which operates a CO2 freezer at night when the outside temperature is low to produce ice, and uses the stored heat energy to cool cases that require refrigeration during the daytime when the outside temperature is high.

List of Eco-Friendly Stores
LAWSON Keio University SFC Store (Fujisawa City, Kanagawa Prefecture)

LAWSON Keio University SFC Store
(Fujisawa City, Kanagawa Prefecture)

Opened September 2019

LAWSON Tatebayashi Kido-cho Store (Tatebayashi City, Gunma Prefecture)

LAWSON Tatebayashi Kido-cho Store
(Tatebayashi City, Gunma Prefecture)

Opened January 2018
60% reduction from fiscal 2016

LAWSON Kodaira Tenjin-cho 2-chome Store (Kodaira City, Tokyo)

LAWSON Kodaira Tenjin-cho 2-chome Store
(Kodaira City, Tokyo)

Opened February 2017
60% reduction
from fiscal 2015

LAWSON Yumesaki Smart Inter-mae Store (Himeji City, Hyogo Prefecture)

LAWSON Yumesaki Smart Inter-mae Store
(Himeji City, Hyogo Prefecture)

Opened February 2016
70% reduction
from fiscal 2010

LAWSON Toyohashi Akemi Industrial Park Store (Toyohashi City, Aichi Prefecture)

LAWSON Toyohashi Akemi Industrial Park Store
(Toyohashi City, Aichi Prefecture)

Opened November 2014
60% reduction
from fiscal 2010

LAWSON Panasonic-mae Store (Moriguchi City, Osaka Prefecture)

LAWSON Panasonic-mae Store
(Moriguchi City, Osaka Prefecture)

Opened February 2014
50% reduction
from fiscal 2010

LAWSON Ebina Kamimaizumi 2-chome Store (Ebina City, Kanagawa Prefecture)

LAWSON Ebina Kamimaizumi 2-chome Store
(Ebina City, Kanagawa Prefecture)

Opened December 2012
30% reduction
from fiscal 2010

LAWSON Kyotanabe Yamatenishi Store (Kyotanabe City, Kyoto Prefecture)

LAWSON Kyotanabe Yamatenishi Store
(Kyotanabe City, Kyoto Prefecture)

Opened December 2010
20% reduction
from fiscal 2010

Store Equipment to Advance Energy Conservation and Energy Creation

Active Introduction of Freezing and Refrigeration Systems Using CO2 Coolant

▲ CO2 coolant freezing and refrigeration system

Although CFCs have been actively used as coolants due to their ease of handling, laws have been tightened to regulate the use of CFCs due to their depletion of the ozone layer and their apparent impact on global warming.
Lawson was among the first to introduce non-fluorocarbon coolants utilizing naturally occurring coolants such as CO2 in place of CFCs. We introduced them on a trial basis in December 2010. Having confirmed their effectiveness, we began their full-scale introduction in August 2014, and as of the end of February 2023, they have been introduced to a cumulative total of approximately 5,300 stores.
Non-fluorocarbon freezing and refrigerating equipment have a lower greenhouse effect compared to conventional refrigerating equipment, so CO2 emissions can be reduced by half. As this system has high energy-saving effects, it is considered as an extremely effective means both for reducing CFC emissions and saving energy. Lawson is expanding the use of non-fluorocarbon freezing and refrigeration systems with the aim of motivating more companies to use such systems in order to help prevent global warming.

Promotion of life cycle-based equipment refurbishing

Lawson promotes “life cycle-based equipment refurbishing” to enable customers to visit its stores with peace of mind and also to help achieve a decarbonized society. Formerly, we basically refurbished our stores by replacing refrigerating equipment, fryers, and restrooms in a 10-year cycle. However, from fiscal 2022, we have started refurbishing them earlier in consideration of the operating life of store equipment. Maintaining and replacing equipment based on their operating life prevents sudden failures. Furthermore, replacing refrigerating equipment and air conditioners with appliances with high energy efficiency reduces electricity consumption which leads to reduction in CO2 emissions. We will proactively promote “life cycle-based equipment refurbishing” that can enable us to both create stores with renovated restrooms and interiors that customers can use more comfortably and reduce CO2 emissions.

Introduction of solar power generation systems

Solar power generation systems

▲ Solar power generation systems

We are working on the introduction of solar power generation systems with the aim of spreading and expanding the use of renewable energy.

By fiscal 2022, we had installed solar power generation systems in about 380 stores nationwide, all of which are to be used to generate electricity for the stores’ own consumption. We will continue to actively install solar power generation systems for our own consumption to reduce electricity consumption and CO2 emissions.

Supplying Renewable Energy from Japan's Largest Off-Site PPA* to
Approximately 3,600 Lawson Stores

Lawson and Mitsubishi Corporation have agreed to collaborate in supplying renewable energy to Lawson stores, with plans to supply renewable energy from Mitsubishi Corporation's new solar power generation facilities to approximately 3,600 LAWSON stores (some stores in the Kanto Koshin region, Gifu, Shizuoka, Aichi, and Mie prefectures).
We began installing solar power generation systems in 2012 and have installed them in approximately 2,000 of our stores. To further promote the use of renewable energy, starting in fiscal 2023, we will gradually introduce off-site PPAs, in which renewable energy generated by solar power plants outside store premises is sent to our stores.
In terms of scale, these solar power generation facilities are expected to generate approximately 45 MW of electricity, which is equivalent to the electricity consumption of approximately 9,000 average households. Converted into CO2 emissions, this initiative is expected to reduce CO2 emissions by approximately 19,000 tons per year.

* Power purchase agreement to construct a renewable energy power plant in a remote location and supply renewable energy power from the plant via the transmission and distribution network for a long period of time

Participation in a Photovoltaic Power Generation Business through a Citizens' Fund

▲ Solar panels installed on the roof
of the Iida Dashina Store

Lawson is involved in a photovoltaic power generation business called the South Shinshu Ohisama Power Station Installation Project under the auspices of a citizens’ fund, the Global Warming Prevention Ohisama Fund. Power generated by solar panels installed on the rooftops of two Lawson stores in Iida City, Nagano Prefecture, by the citizens’ fund with a subsidy from the Ministry of the Environment is purchased by the stores for their internal consumption. The panels on the Iida Dashina Store generate approximately 5,000 kWh of power, while the Iida Zakoji Store’s panels generate approximately 9,500 kWh. Power generation by this business is approved/authorized by the Green Energy Certification Center, and the “Environmental Value” of the generated power is represented as Renewable Energy Certificates*.

* Renewable Energy Certificate: The environmental value of power generated using sunlight, wind power, and other natural energy sources is recognized in the form of tradable certificates.




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