YKK Accelerates Net-Zero Drive as 2024 Cuts Push Climate Goals Forward

Japan’s YKK Corporation has reported significant progress toward its long-term decarbonisation targets, outlining 2024 achievements as part of its pathway to reach net-zero emissions by 2050.

The latest sustainability report, “This is YKK 2025,” centres on five priority areas — climate change, material resources, water resources, chemical management and respect for people — aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

YKK said it cut its Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 57 percent from FY2018 levels and reduced Scope 3 emissions by 14 percent, marking one of its strongest year-on-year declines since the launch of its 2050 roadmap.

Also Read: Rebranding for the Next Decade: What Fashion Brands Must Rethink

The report shows renewable energy now accounts for 61 percent of YKK’s total electricity use, driven by the conversion of 45 global sites to 100 percent renewable power. The company also completed full renewable-energy transition across its China region and installed seven additional solar facilities in 2024, bringing its global solar-site total to 34. Alongside energy measures, the company reduced total water intake by 7.5 percent compared with FY2018.

The progress forms part of an expanded environmental strategy covering materials and resource efficiency. The company said these shifts support its global move toward circular manufacturing and lower-impact production across zippers, trims and fastening products.

Koichi Matsushima, president of YKK Corporation, said the company’s strategy reflects a broader organisational transformation. “With our Net-Zero commitment and the ONE YKK vision, we are taking bold steps to transform our business, empower our people and lead the way toward a circular economy,” he said.

YKK said it will continue scaling renewable power, deepening supply-chain engagement and expanding sustainable-material use as it works toward climate neutrality by 2050.