Kirin Re-acquires SBT Net-Zero Validation*1 and Establishes New FLAG Targets*2, Accelerating the Execution of Its Scope 3 Transition Plan

TOKYO, April 30 2026 -Kirin Holdings Company, Limited (President and COO: Kenji Minakata) re-acquired the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi)*3-validated “SBT Net-Zero” certification in March 2026, which it had first obtained in July 2022 as the first food company in the world. At the same time, the Company newly established FLAG targets. These actions reflect changes in the Kirin Group’s business portfolio as well as revisions to the SBTi guidelines in response to changes in the external environment.

Many of the Kirin Group’s products, particularly in its Alcoholic Beverages and Non-alcoholic Beverages & Health Science businesses, use agricultural commodities as raw materials. In recent years, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the agricultural sector have come to account for a significant portion of global emissions, increasing the need for countermeasures. Agricultural production methods vary by crop variety; however, so-called industrial agriculture, which assumes mass production, is a major contributor to GHG emissions. Industrial agriculture typically involves the use of large quantities of chemical fertilizers, tillage*4, and large-scale monoculture farming to maximize yields. These practices lead to emissions of nitrous oxide (N₂O)*5, a greenhouse gas with a high global warming potential, and cause carbon stored in soil to be released into the atmosphere. In addition to increasing GHG emissions, they also have negative impacts on the environment, including soil and water. To sustainably produce and procure key agricultural commodities, it is essential for the Kirin Group to reduce GHG emissions derived from agricultural production activities.

Aiming to become a global leader in CSV, the Kirin Group declared in its “Kirin Group Environmental Vision 2050” in 2020 that it would achieve net-zero GHG emissions across the entire value chain. A roadmap toward achieving this goal was formulated and put into operation in January 2022. Under the newly established FLAG targets, the Group aims to reduce GHG emissions by 33% by 2030 compared to the base year (2019). By re-acquiring SBT validation and establishing FLAG targets, the Kirin Group will continue its initiatives for non-FLAG emissions derived from energy sources, while strengthening initiatives for FLAG emissions derived from agricultural production activities. The newly established FLAG targets cover not only Scope 3 but also Scope 1 emissions, and the Group will work toward achieving net-zero from both Scope 1 and Scope 3 perspectives.

As a measure to address Scope 1 emissions, the Company is testing GHG reduction initiatives such as the application of biochar*6 at farmland it owns. Specifically, at Chateau Mercian Mariko Vineyard, a joint research project*7 was launched in March 2024 in cooperation with the National Agriculture and Food Research Organization (NARO) to evaluate the carbon sequestration effects of climate change mitigation measures. This joint research evaluates the carbon sequestration effects of biochar produced from grape pruning residues and other materials generated at the vineyard. In addition, the vineyard routinely implements practices that are generally considered to contribute to GHG emission reductions, including no-tillage farming*8, cover crops*9, and appropriate management of chemical fertilizers.

To address Scope 3 emissions, the Kirin Group will work collaboratively with suppliers to reduce emissions upstream in the supply chain, including aluminum cans, PET bottles, and malt. Some of these initiatives will involve increased costs, and the Group anticipates making greater investments and incurring higher expenses than before. To achieve both financial and non-financial targets simultaneously, a new mechanism for decision-making on initiative implementation is required. Accordingly, the Group has begun building and operating a scheme to simulate the cost-effectiveness of GHG reduction measures and their financial impact, thereby clarifying the prioritization of initiatives from a management-wide perspective. Based on estimates of currently feasible measures, the financial impact of the Scope 3 transition plan is estimated at approximately 20 billion yen by 2030. Furthermore, under the “Kirin Supply Chain Environmental Program”*10, which began in April 2024, progress is reviewed and discussed at the Group CSV Committee and subordinate bodies such as the Group Environmental Meeting, strengthening the involvement of senior management. By establishing a mechanism to accelerate the process from identifying new initiatives to making implementation decisions and embedding processes to verify financial impacts on an ongoing basis, the Kirin Group will promote sustainable and economically rational environmental management.

The Kirin Group conducts its business activities using nature’s blessings as raw materials and leveraging the power and wisdom of nature.
In addressing complex and interrelated environmental issues such as biological resources, water resources, packaging, and climate change, the Kirin Group will advance initiatives that create a “positive impact” on both nature and people from an integrated perspective.
The Group will also share its commitment to passing on the blessings of a rich planet to future generations with all stakeholders involved across the value chain.

*1 A greenhouse gas emission reduction target aligned with the Paris Agreement, which aims to limit the global average temperature increase to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels and to pursue efforts to limit the increase to 1.5°C. The target is certified by the Science Based Targets initiative, established in 2015 by CDP, the United Nations Global Compact, the World Resources Institute (WRI), and WWF. It involves reducing GHG emissions and offsetting residual emissions that are difficult to eliminate through removals from the atmosphere to achieve “net zero.”
*2 An acronym for Forest, Land and Agriculture. It refers to GHG emission reduction targets for agriculture, forestry, and other land use required by the SBTi, an international initiative that validates science-based GHG reduction targets.
*3 An international initiative jointly established in 2015 by CDP, the United Nations Global Compact, the World Resources Institute (WRI), and WWF.
*4 An agricultural operation that involves turning over and agitating soil to prepare it for crop growth. While it has benefits such as weed control and improved drainage, it has also been noted to increase GHG emissions by facilitating the release of carbon stored in soil into the atmosphere.
*5 A greenhouse gas mainly generated through the use of chemical fertilizers and the activity of microorganisms in soil. It has a higher global warming potential than CO₂ and is considered one of the major sources of agriculture-related GHG emissions.
*6 A solid material produced by heating biomass at temperatures above 350°C under controlled oxygen levels that prevent combustion. It has been recognized for its carbon sequestration effects in soil as well as its ability to improve soil permeability.
*7 Château Mercian Mariko Vineyard Launches New Joint Research with the National Agriculture and Food Research Organization (*Japanese only)
*8 A farming method in which crops are grown without plowing the soil. It stabilizes soil carbon dynamics and, through reduced use of agricultural machinery, may contribute to lower GHG emissions under certain conditions.
*9 A farming method in which plants are grown during periods when the main crop is not cultivated or in unused field areas. By covering the soil surface with vegetation, it helps maintain soil organic matter and prevent soil erosion, potentially contributing to reduced GHG emissions under certain conditions.
*10 Kirin Launches the Kirin Supply Chain Environmental Program (*Japanese only)

For Reference

・Kirin Group Environmental Vision 2050
Kirin Group's Environmental Vision 2050 | The Environment | KIRIN - Kirin Holdings Company, Limited
・Kirin Group Environmental Report 2025
Kirin Group Environmental Report | Sustainability Information | KIRIN - Kirin Holdings Company, Limited

About Kirin Holdings

Kirin Holdings Company, Limited is a global company operating across three core business domains spanning Alcoholic Beverages, Non-alcoholic Beverages & Health Science, and Pharmaceuticals. The company traces its roots to Japan Brewery, established in 1885, which later became Kirin Brewery in 1907. Since then, Kirin has expanded its business operations by leveraging fermentation and biotechnology as core strengths. The company entered the pharmaceutical field in the 1980s, which has since grown into a global business. In 2007, the company transitioned to a pure holding company structure as Kirin Holdings, and it is now strengthening its Non-alcoholic Beverages & Health Science domain.

Under its long-term vision “Innovate2035!”, the Kirin Group is focused on creating value that encourage behavioral change among consumers and patients, creating new lifestyle habits in the areas of food and health. With a unique business portfolio spanning Alcoholic Beverages, Non-alcoholic Beverages & Health Science, and Pharmaceuticals, the Group will further expand group-wide initiatives that support both mental and physical well-being.

The Kirin Group will continue to advance innovation through the combined strength of its people and technology, creating both social and economic value as a global leader in CSV*, while pursuing sustainable, long-term growth in corporate value.

* Creating Shared Value. combined added value for consumers as well as for society at large