Decarbonization

Initiatives to Reduce CO₂ Emissions During Construction

Road Map for Reducing CO₂ at Job Sites

We are working to reduce CO₂ emissions during construction by improving energy productivity and electrifying heavy machinery at our job sites throughout Japan.
In addition, while gradually increasing the percentage of electrified machinery, we will switch to biodiesel fuel (BDF) for diesel oil and renewable energy (RE) for electric power.
We aim to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 by establishing the use of green synthetic fuels, fuel cells, and hydrogen engine-powered construction equipment.

Initiatives to ascertain CO₂ emissions

To achieve zero carbon, we must start by ascertaining CO₂ emissions. As such, we have begun using a platform called SCAT, which automatically calculates the embodied carbon generated during the construction production process (materials and construction) from detailed estimate data, as well as a Construction CO₂ Emission Monitoring System that automatically calculates and visualizes monthly CO₂ emissions at construction sites using data from various management systems.

News release: Shimizu Develops Platform for Calculating CO₂ Emissions Associated with Building Construction and Production (only in Japanese.)

News release: Shimizu Rolls Out Construction CO₂ Emission Monitoring System to All Construction Sites (only in Japanese.)

Initiatives for CO₂ emission reduction of construction

Energy productivity improvement through ICT-based construction

We are deploying ICT-based earthwork by displaying three-dimensional data, including measurement and design data, on a monitor inside heavy equipment, which enables heavy equipment operators to manage the construction conditions in real time. Optimal operation of construction machines improves construction efficiency, which allows us to reduce CO₂ emissions (improve energy productivity)

Alternatives to diesel fuel

Most of the CO₂ emitted at construction sites is due to the use of diesel fuel for heavy equipment. We are actively using environmentally friendly alternatives to diesel fuel, such as next-generation biodiesel fuel derived from microorganisms and Gas-to-Liquids fuel derived from natural gas, in our crawler cranes and others used at construction sites.

Aggregate and sediment transport using belt conveyors

By using belt conveyors to transport dirt, sand, and crushed stones generated during large-scale site preparation, tunnel construction, dam construction, and other projects, we can significantly reduce CO₂ emissions generated by dump trucks. In addition to reducing CO₂ emissions, the conveyors helps to reduce traffic congestion caused by trucks in urban areas.

News release: Belt conveyor with enclosed and suspended structure for efficient transport of concrete for dam construction (only in Japanese.)

Initiatives for CO₂ emission reduction at Shimizu offices

Achieving carbon-free operations at head office building

The head office building uses electricity generated by solar panels installed on the exterior walls to power its daytime lighting and also utilizes Aqua Premium green electricity derived from hydroelectric power generation (provided by TEPCO Energy Partners Co., Ltd.), thereby ensuring that all the electricity is carbon free.
We are also working to reduce CO₂ emissions at our branch offices all over the country by gradually converting to net zero energy buildings (ZEB) and introducing green electricity.

• News release: Shimizu Achieves Zero Carbon Energy Usage at Its Head Office Building (only in Japanese.)
• News release: Introducing Aqua Premium green electricity derived from hydroelectric power generation at our head office building (only in Japanese.)
• News release: Shimizu Completes Construction of New Office Building for Hokuriku Branch with Highest Level of Environmental Performance in Japan (only in Japanese.)

Initiatives for CO₂ emission reduction during building operation from energy - efficient design

Spreading of ZEB

Currently, the popularization of ZEB is required to achieve the government’s target of carbon neutrality by 2050 as these buildings use significantly less energy.
Shimizu became the first company in Japan to realize a completely off-grid ZEB system with completion of the design and construction of Seicho-no-Ie's Office in the Forest in 2013. AEON MALL Toyokawa has become the first large-scale shopping center in Japan to be ZEB Ready^※1 and Kawakita General Hospital the first acute care hospital in Tokyo to be ZEB Oriented^※2. We have also undertaken renovation work, achieving 『ZEB』^※3 status at the Tsukuba West Office (West-4 Building) of the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST). We have also achieved 『ZEB』 status at multiple distribution facilities, our Hokuriku Branch, and our NOVARE Hub.
In 2023, we developed a ZEB design tool. Utilizing AI, it automatically searches for proposals to achieve ZEB status, supporting ZEB proposals aligned with customer needs in the initial stages of building planning. This has made the review of ZEB conversion, which previously took a tremendous amount of time, more than 100 times more efficient. It has also allowed us to dramatically enhance the content of proposals.

1. ZEB Ready : Primary energy consumption reduced to 50% or less through energy efficiency and conservation
2. ZEB Oriented: Total floor space of at least 10,000 m² and primary energy consumption reduced through energy efficiency and conservation while adopting unrated energy efficiency and conservation technologies
   ・In the case of offices, schools, plants, etc.: 60% or less
   ・In the case of hotels, hospitals, department stores, restaurants, meeting places, etc.: 70% or less
3. 『ZEB』：The most energy-efficient of the four types of ZEB, with primary energy consumption reduced to 0% or less through energy conservation and energy creation

• Business topics: Realizing ZEB through sustainable renovation
• Business topics: Changing the future of Japan with ZEB
• News release: An AI Solution for ZEB Design Work (only in Japanese.)

Hydro Q-BiC, a Hydogen system

As part of our efforts to realize a zero-carbon society, we have developed and commercialized the Hydro Q-BiC in collaboration with the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST).
This system produces and stores hydrogen with the surplus electricity from solar power generation during times of low electricity demand and generates electricity with a reaction between hydrogen and oxygen when the building’s electricity demand increases, thereby making it possible to conserve energy without wasting any electricity.

• Technical solutions: Hydro Q-BiC Hydrogen Energy Utilization System for Buildings (only in Japanese.)
• News release: Verifying the CO₂ reduction effect of the Hydro Q-BiC (only in Japanese.)

Promoting CO₂ absorption with impregnant applied to concrete surface

We jointly developed Direct Air Capture (DAC) Coating, a technology that promotes CO₂ absorption from the air using existing concrete structures, with Hokkaido University. With the application of an impregnant to its surface, the concrete structure absorbs and fixes at least 1.5 times more CO₂ from the air. Moreover, because it is also anti-corrosive, it reduces rebar corrosion caused by concrete carbonation, helping to extend the life of reinforced concrete, thereby contributing to the realization of a carbon-free society.
We will contribute to the realization of a carbon-free society throughout the building life cycle, from material procurement to construction and building operation.

News release: Promoting CO₂ absorption with impregnant applied to concrete surface (only in Japanese.)