Mercari, Inc. (“Mercari”) announces that Mercari Group has obtained SBT certification from the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi)1 for the targets it has set for reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.
Science Based Targets refers to greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets set by companies in accordance with the standards called for by the Paris Accord (limiting global warming to 1.5°C from pre-industrial levels), to be achieved in 5–10 years’ time.
Mercari submitted a commitment letter to SBTi in 2021 and has strived for SBT certification since. In 2023, Mercari expanded its scope of calculations to include category 9 of scope 3 emissions (downstream transportation and distribution) and obtained certification for these targets.
1.The Science Based Targets initiative is an international NGO established in the UK as a collaboration between CDP, the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC), the World Resources Institute (WRI), and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF).
https://sciencebasedtargets.org/
Certified targets
- Scope 1+2: Reduce emissions by a total of 90% (compared to 2021) by 2030
- Scope 3: Reduce added value-related2 category 9 (downstream transportation and distribution) emissions by 51.6% (compared to 2023) by 2030
See the following link for Mercari’s progress and results so far:
https://about.mercari.com/en/sustainability/esg/esgdata/
Scope 1: Scope 1 refers to direct greenhouse gas emissions generated by Mercari Group. It includes company cars used by Kashima Antlers FC, as well as boilers and other equipment at related facilities.
Scope 2: Scope 2 refers mainly to emissions related to electricity usage in Mercari’s offices.
Scope 3: Scope 3 refers to emissions generated by other companies related to Mercari’s business activities. Category 9 emissions, which were newly added to the scope of calculations, make up 85% of scope 3 emissions.
2.In Mercari’s case, this refers to gross profit.
Actions toward achieving these targets
- Scope 1+2
- Reviewing the fuel consumption of company cars, etc.
- Scope 3
- Promoting supplier engagement
- Carrying out procurement in an environmentally friendly manner
Mercari will work together with its distribution partners to achieve its scope 3 emissions reduction target.
Comments from Mercari’s distribution partners:
◾️ Yamato Transport
We have partnered with Mercari to offer RakuRaku Mercari Shipping beginning in 2015 and unattended delivery beginning in 2020. Yamato Group is taking actions such as introducing electric vehicles to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2050. By reducing our emissions, we aim to contribute to reducing our business partners’ scope 3 emissions as well. We will continue to work toward achieving a sustainable future with Mercari.
◾️ Japan Post
We look forward to the initiatives Mercari will take to further reduce greenhouse gas emissions following this SBT certification. Japan Post also submitted a commitment letter toward obtaining SBT certification in April 2024. As a distribution partner of Mercari, we will work to contribute to reducing the environmental burden of users of Mercari’s services.
◾️ SBS Holdings
We hold great admiration for Mercari’s proactive efforts to obtain SBT certification. SBS Group partners with Mercari to offer unattended delivery services, which aim to reduce environmental burden by decreasing the need for redelivery. We will continue to strive to enhance sustainable delivery services with Mercari going forward.
Through its business and corporate activities, Mercari will continue to contribute to realizing a society where all forms of value can be circulated and the potential of all people can be unleashed.
Mercari Group’s Sustainability Strategy
Mercari strives to be a planet-positive company that contributes to solving environmental and societal issues through its business activities by realizing a circular economy in which all forms of value circulate seamlessly.
In 2024, a report calculating the positive impact of Mercari’s business on carbon emissions revealed that an annual total of 610,000 tons of greenhouse gas emissions were avoided across Japan and the US through Mercari Group’s combined business activities in both countries. In Japan alone, users avoided approximately 52,000 tons of apparel waste (by weight) by listing items they no longer needed on Mercari. This is equivalent to approximately 10% of the total 485,000 tons of apparel thrown away annually in Japan.
Going forward, Mercari will strive to do its part in creating a circular economy by continuing to take action to promote reuse and provide alternatives to throwing items away.
https://about.mercari.com/en/sustainability/