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

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.

Demonstrative trial with next-generation stores for energy generation and reduction toward the future

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. Based on this demonstrative trial, we aim to develop a standard model for new stores to be established in the future, and, by applying the know-how gained from this demonstrative trial to approximately 14,000 existing stores, we will actively promote energy saving and the reduction of environmental impact at stores.

Initiatives at next-generation stores (an example)

Doors installed to about 80% of the refrigerated and frozen showcases in the store
Kawasaki Nakajima 3-chome Store

Doors were installed to about 80% of the refrigerated and frozen showcases in the store.
By attaching doors to the commonly open-type refrigerated showcases and freezer flat-display showcases, we improved the entry of outside air and the leakage of cold air, thereby achieving substantial energy saving.

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 next-generation stores
LAWSON Keio University SFC Store (Fujisawa City, Kanagawa Prefecture)

LAWSON Kawasaki Nakajima 3-chome Store
(Kawasaki City, Kanagawa Prefecture)

Opened in November 2022
Doors are installed onto about 80% of the refrigerated and frozen showcases in the store.

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

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

Opened September 2019
All refrigerating systems are CFC-free.

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

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

Opened January 2018
Domestically produced cross laminated timber (CLT) is used for the structure and interior of the store.

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

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

Opened February 2017
Obtained the highest rating for energy-saving performance of the building (at the time of opening)

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

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

Opened February 2016
Introduced the first biomass power generation system as a convenience store (removal)

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

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

Opened November 2014
Dual store front glass (double skin)

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

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

Opened February 2014
Introduced a solar power generation system and promoting energy management

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

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

Opened December 2012
Use of natural energy of natural light, wind, and geothermal heat

LAWSON Kyotanabe Yamatenishi Store (Kyotanabe City, Kyoto Prefecture)

LAWSON Kyotanabe Yamatenishi Store
(Kyotanabe City, Kyoto Prefecture)

Opened December 2010
Introduced CFC-free (CO2 coolant) freezing and refrigeration systems

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 2024, they have been introduced to a cumulative total of approximately 6,800 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.

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. We reduce sudden failures by performing maintenance and replacement of equipment according to the service life of in-store equipment. We also reduce electricity consumption and CO2 emissions by replacing refrigerating systems and air conditioners with more energy-efficient models. 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 FY 2023, we installed solar power generation systems at approximately 3,000 stores nationwide.
We will continue to actively install solar power generation systems to reduce electricity consumption and CO2 emissions.

Renewable energy supply to Lawson stores through offsite PPA*

Lawson and Mitsubishi Corporation have agreed to collaborate on the supply of renewable energy to Lawson stores, and the new solar power generation systems established by Mitsubishi Corporation will supply renewable energy to selected Lawson stores in the Kanto-Koshin region and Gifu, Shizuoka, Aichi, and Mie prefectures.
Lawson began installing solar power generation systems in 2012. To further promote the use of renewable energy, from FY 2023 onward, we have introduced off-site PPA, which provides stores with renewable energy generated by solar power plants off the premises.

* 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 power generation systems
using citizen funds

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. 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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