KOBE, Japan (June 15, 2022) – ASICS Corporation, a true sports performance brand, today released its 2021 Sustainability Report, which summarizes the company’s progress towards medium- and long-term sustainability targets. Integrated in our VISION2030 and the Mid-Term plan, ASICS sustainability framework encompasses two main pillars—“People” and “Planet”—each driving sustainability actions in alignment with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The headline results for 2021 are a 28.0% reduction in CO2 emissions from our direct operations, and a 19.7% reduction across our supply chain (compared with 2015 baseline levels) driven by an increase in the use of recycled polyester up to 30%.
Top Message
Yasuhito Hirota, President, CEO and COO, Representative Director of ASICS said, “As a major sporting goods company with a large workforce and global manufacturing, we recognize and take responsibility for our impacts. Sustainability is a core element of ASICS’ VISION2030, which presents the long-term targets for the company we aspire to be.
We invite you to read this report and explore our progress in 2021 as we continue on our road to net-zero by 2050.”
People:
・Consumers & Communities
With the aim of uplifting a million minds around the world, ASICS launched the Mind Uplifter *1 on Global Running Day, 2 June 2021. It is the world’s first live study into the impact of movement on the mind. We invited people to visit minduplifter.asics.com to capture their Mind Uplift.
In 2021, ASICS invested over US$409,897 in community contributions and donations in kind to worthy causes around the world. As part of this program, ASICS has been a partner for Right To Play*2, an international organization that uses the transformative power of sport to educate and empower children facing adversity around the world.
*1 Mind Uplifter:
https://corp.asics.com/en/press/article/2021-06-02-1
*2 Right To Play:
https://corp.asics.com/en/press/article/2021-05-25-1
・Our Employees
In 2021, the percentage of female managers increased by 1.17% globally to 33.7%. ASICS is committed to achieve a ratio of female representation in management and senior positions of at least 35% globally by 2023.
・Our Supply Chains
To protect the employment, wages and health & safety of the workers in our suppliers during the Covid-19 pandemic, in 2021 ASICS continued to pursue responsible purchasing practices. In parallel with these activities, ASICS promoted the self- monitoring at partner plants to track the status of countermeasures pandemic.
To address forced labor and migrant worker issues, ASICS examined the situation on the ground across our supply chain, and continued to operate a grievance mechanism which provides workers with a channel to raise concerns.
To promote transparency, ASICS continued to disclose the list of factories with the breakdown of female workers and migrant workers shown.
Planet:
ASICS recognizes more than ever that to enable a sound mind in a sound body, we need a sound earth. We had the honor of representing our industry in the COP26*3 Business Leaders group and called on our peers through the World Federation of the Sporting Goods Industry to do more to reduce their environmental impact so we can meet global climate change targets together.
*3 COP26 (Conference of the Parties)
The annual UN climate conference attended by the countries that are signatories of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
・Recycled Polyester Gains
We are making progress towards switching 100% of the polyester we use from conventional to recycled polyester and achieved more than 30% in 2021. Also, ASICS increased the use of recycled polyester in all product categories consistently and broadly. Overall, 90% of new running shoes included recycled material. We also incorporated textile waste into our products, including the GEL-NIMBUS LITE 3. Sportstyle shoes incorporated upcycled leftover material waste in unique ‘Patchwork’ designs, and we launched football shoes that feature sustainable materials. Our Earth Day Pack, launched in April 2021, used around 5 tons of recycled textile waste across the whole collection.
Our efforts toward a circular economy was on display on the world stage at the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics. Through the ASICS REBORN WEAR PROJECT, the official sportswear we produced for the Japan Olympic Team was made from recycled clothes donated from people across the country.
・Green Procurement Drive, 100% Renewal Energy in Japan
ASICS put together our new Green Procurement Policy which we are planning to gradually introduce to our strategic footwear suppliers to prioritize procuring footwear products from sustainable suppliers who meet the standard we set for their environmental performance such as setting an ambitious climate target and planning to source renewable energy.
We significantly expanded scope of our contract for renewable electricity in Japan. Starting this year, all ASICS-owned offices in Japan – including ASICS headquarters, Institute of Sport Science and ASICS Japan Corporation headquarters – are now powered by 100% renewable electricity. We also made progress in sourcing renewable electricity in Europe.
ASICS’ full Sustainability Report can be found at:
https://corp.asics.com/en/csr/csr_reporting
For further details on ASICS’ sustainability activities, please visit:
ASICS’ 2021 sustainability report is structured according to the GRI Standard sustainability reporting guidelines. The Company’s separate GRI Index table will be published online in June 2022.