Tokyo, April 13, 2023: South Pole today marked the launch of its Japanese business with an exclusive Climate Leaders Forum event in Tokyo.
After establishing a Tokyo office in October 2022, the Swiss-founded climate company has now launched its Japanese legal entity, South Pole Japan Kabushiki Gaisha, by hosting an event for over 70 representatives of leading Japanese companies at the residence of the Swiss Ambassador to Japan.
"Launching our Japan business is a significant milestone in South Pole's global expansion and critical to achieving our ambitious mission, which includes using our expertise to help our clients achieve net zero emissions by 2050." - South Pole co-Founder and Japan Managing Director, Patrick Burgi.
“Today's Climate Leaders Forum in Tokyo is a celebration of this exciting development and an opportunity to engage with leading corporations in Japan who play an important role in tackling climate change. These companies recognise the significant opportunities on offer for those leading the low-carbon transition, and are keen to work with South Pole to explore new innovations in the global carbon markets – including future climate technologies such as carbon removals and low-carbon hydrogen."
The event featured presentations from South Pole experts on the corporate net zero journey and the opportunities of a low-carbon transition in Japan. Delegates also saw an insightful panel discussion with representatives from Mitsubishi Corporation, Mitsui O.S.K Lines, Ltd and Suntory Holdings Limited on their companies' climate strategies and the opportunities for Japanese businesses.
Harumichi Seta, General Manager, Sustainability Management Division from Suntory Holdings Limited said:
“It is a great honor to speak at the event to officially announce South Pole's expansion in Japan. Climate change caused by global warming has a tremendous impact on local water cycles and the ecosystems that nurture agricultural raw ingredients. The foundation of the Suntory Group's business is to deliver nature's blessings in the form of products and services while keeping close to the changing values of consumers and society over time. To protect nature, a critical management foundation, Suntory recognizes GHG reduction, water security, and biodiversity conservation as its most significant issues; it accelerates the "Nexus approach" to achieve its ambitious vision and targets for 2050 and 2030. To achieve this, a whole societal approach is essential. As the world's largest developer of GHG reduction projects, South Pole's presence in Japan will accelerate this integrated approach in the Japanese market. We will use our presence at this event to discuss the challenges and solutions to promoting a holistic approach."
Ryosuke Kontani, General Manager, Carbon Management Office, Mitsubishi Corporation said:
"Mitsubishi Corporation has started working closely with South Pole well before they established their team in Japan and we are pleased to participate in the Climate Leaders Forum event to celebrate their official launch. The event brings together many Japanese companies to learn about climate action from the South Pole experts and highlights that there is great momentum and opportunity in our country. Mitsubishi Corporation is already working on a number of initiatives in emission reductions and climate technologies, and we look forward to continued collaboration with South Pole on these areas."
Yosuke Ueda, Deputy General Manager, Energy Business Strategy Division, Headquarters of Energy Business, Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd said:
“Investment in climate technologies is needed now more than ever to unlock the world's capacity to address climate change. I would like to congratulate South Pole for opening its office in Japan, which I believe in contributing not only to the decarbonization journey of Japanese businesses, but also to accelerating Japan's transition to net-zero."
South Pole works with companies, governments and NGOs in Japan on a range of climate strategies and projects, advising them on topics that include the development of carbon projects and methodologies, carbon offsetting strategies, corporate net zero targets and decarbonisation initiatives, as well as water stewardship and biodiversity strategies.
The Tokyo-based South Pole team includes climate experts in sustainability advisory, carbon project development, carbon credit strategies, and sales and marketing, with several positions currently being recruited and ambitions for further growth to meet demand from the Japanese market.
email: media@southpole.com
