Climate change and energy efficiency
We consider the impact on cities and buildings of increasingly severe disasters caused by climate change to be a critical challenge in providing design and planning services to our clients. Nikken Sekkei is leveraging its accumulated experience and knowledge in urban and environmental design and engineering worldwide to contribute to global efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Furthermore, with the aim of achieving "Carbon Half by 2025" (compared to 2013), we are continuously conducting fixed-point observations of climate change data within our own company.
Furthermore, with the aim of achieving "Carbon Half by 2025" (compared to 2013), we are continuously conducting fixed-point observations of climate change data within our own company.
Compared to 2010, we achieved a 31% reduction in energy consumption across all districts, and a 27% reduction in energy consumption for buildings in Tokyo.
Nikken Sekkei has achieved a 31% reduction in energy consumption across all its offices* compared to 2010. This reduction is a result of energy-saving renovations and optimization of office space allocation, implemented in conjunction with the relocation of its Osaka office and the integration of group companies, leading to energy consumption levels lower than those during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.
Furthermore, energy consumption per employee* has decreased by 53% compared to 2010, showing a steady downward trend year after year.
*Primary energy conversion factors: Electricity (daytime) 9.97 MJ/kWh, City gas 45 MJ/kWh
Furthermore, energy consumption per employee* has decreased by 53% compared to 2010, showing a steady downward trend year after year.
*Primary energy conversion factors: Electricity (daytime) 9.97 MJ/kWh, City gas 45 MJ/kWh
At the Nikken Sekkei Tokyo Building (hereinafter referred to as the Tokyo Building), energy consumption was reduced by 27% compared to 2010, to 1,122 MJ/m², through measures such as reviewing lighting settings and converting to LED lighting.
The Tokyo Building was completed in 2003, and although more than 20 years have passed, the heat source equipment is still the same as when it was completed. Nevertheless, through daily maintenance and operational improvements, the equipment's lifespan is extended, and it maintains a highly efficient state.
On the other hand, water usage has been on an upward trend since the COVID-19 pandemic began, due to the increase in the number of people using Tokyo buildings.
With the goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, we will continue to promote further energy and water conservation, while also considering equipment upgrades at the appropriate time.
The Tokyo Building was completed in 2003, and although more than 20 years have passed, the heat source equipment is still the same as when it was completed. Nevertheless, through daily maintenance and operational improvements, the equipment's lifespan is extended, and it maintains a highly efficient state.
On the other hand, water usage has been on an upward trend since the COVID-19 pandemic began, due to the increase in the number of people using Tokyo buildings.
With the goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, we will continue to promote further energy and water conservation, while also considering equipment upgrades at the appropriate time.
As a professional in urban planning and architecture, I have declared a climate emergency.
Because greenhouse gas emissions from buildings designed by Nikken Sekkei account for approximately 1% of Japan's total greenhouse gas emissions, we declared a "climate emergency" on March 19, 2021.
This initiative, from the perspective of a private company, seeks to explore ways to balance economic activity with the realization of a decarbonized society and to engage with society accordingly. Moving forward, with a target of 2050, we aim to propose and realize a model for achieving carbon neutrality through work styles and urban/architectural design, and will share and advocate for this model with our clients and society as a whole.
This initiative, from the perspective of a private company, seeks to explore ways to balance economic activity with the realization of a decarbonized society and to engage with society accordingly. Moving forward, with a target of 2050, we aim to propose and realize a model for achieving carbon neutrality through work styles and urban/architectural design, and will share and advocate for this model with our clients and society as a whole.
Statement of support for TCFD recommendations: First information disclosure by an architectural design firm in Japan.
In October 2022, we expressed our support for the recommendations of the TCFD (Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures) and began disclosing information on climate change based on the TCFD recommendations on our website.
We believe that climate change is an issue that we must address by fully embodying the spirit embodied in the Nikken Group's tagline, "EXPERIENCE, INTEGRATED."
By disclosing information in accordance with the TCFD recommendations, we will further deepen our shared understanding with our clients and other stakeholders and promote this initiative.
We believe that climate change is an issue that we must address by fully embodying the spirit embodied in the Nikken Group's tagline, "EXPERIENCE, INTEGRATED."
By disclosing information in accordance with the TCFD recommendations, we will further deepen our shared understanding with our clients and other stakeholders and promote this initiative.
Aiming to improve environmental performance from the bottom up through quantitative observation of BEI values by application.
At our company, we manage the energy-saving performance of our projects using the BEI value*, which is an evaluation index under the Building Energy Conservation Act.
The average BEI for projects completed in 2024 is as follows:
Office: 0.75
School: 0.77
Hotel: 0.74
Meeting place: 0.91
Hospital: 0.87
Retail facilities: 0.81
Factory: 0.40
The mandatory standards for large-scale buildings, which came into effect in April 2024, were met for all uses except hospitals and community centers.
It should be noted that the average values include projects completed between January and March 2024, as well as projects that received conformity assessments before April 2024. As a result, the average values for hospitals, community centers, etc., exceeded the standard values.
Going forward, we will continue to quantitatively monitor BEI values to understand current challenges and aim to improve environmental performance from the bottom up by actively introducing energy-saving methods in each project.
* A lower BEI (Building Energy Index) value indicates higher energy efficiency.
The average BEI for projects completed in 2024 is as follows:
Office: 0.75
School: 0.77
Hotel: 0.74
Meeting place: 0.91
Hospital: 0.87
Retail facilities: 0.81
Factory: 0.40
The mandatory standards for large-scale buildings, which came into effect in April 2024, were met for all uses except hospitals and community centers.
It should be noted that the average values include projects completed between January and March 2024, as well as projects that received conformity assessments before April 2024. As a result, the average values for hospitals, community centers, etc., exceeded the standard values.
Going forward, we will continue to quantitatively monitor BEI values to understand current challenges and aim to improve environmental performance from the bottom up by actively introducing energy-saving methods in each project.
* A lower BEI (Building Energy Index) value indicates higher energy efficiency.
Next-generation skyscraper prototype “Regenerative Tree” unveiled
"Regenerative Tree" is a prototype proposal for a next-generation skyscraper that incorporates various ideas to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions (whole-life carbon) that a building emits over its lifetime.
In addition to architectural plans that accommodate diverse work styles and future conversions, we promote decarbonization not only during operation but also in each phase of construction, renovation, and demolition by optimizing structural plans, actively utilizing wood, and planning environmentally friendly equipment, thereby reducing whole-life carbon by up to 40%.
In addition to architectural plans that accommodate diverse work styles and future conversions, we promote decarbonization not only during operation but also in each phase of construction, renovation, and demolition by optimizing structural plans, actively utilizing wood, and planning environmentally friendly equipment, thereby reducing whole-life carbon by up to 40%.
Implementing carbon-zero digital technologies to further reduce CO2 emissions.
To achieve carbon neutrality while enjoying prosperity, it is necessary to introduce new systems that go beyond simply improving the performance of buildings and equipment. We are currently developing an app that visualizes individual CO2 emissions and encourages environmentally conscious actions, and we have begun pilot testing it within the company. Through this initiative, we aim to promote carbon neutrality by utilizing digital technology.
