In early 2022, Action Speaks Louder launched a campaign to push Canon to take real climate action. Our focus was twofold:
- Urging Canon to cut ties with its think tank, The Canon Institute for Global Studies (CIGS), whose lead researcher regularly publishes climate denial content.
- Demanding Canon commit to 100% renewable energy, with at least 60% by 2030, to align with the climate targets needed to avoid the worst impacts of global warming.
Three years later, it’s clear that our supporters’ pressure helped push the company in the right direction — even if there’s some way to go.
A timeline of pressure and progress
- 2022: We launched our first report exposing Canon’s ties to CIGS and kicked off an email action targeting Canon’s CEO. That same year, Canon raised its emissions reduction targets, aiming to reduce Scope 1 & 2 GHG emissions by 42% compared to 2022 and reduce Scope 3 (category 1 and 11) GHG emissions by 25% compared to 2022.
- 2023: We launched our Cameras Don’t Lie photography competition, spotlighting the urgency of climate action through the eyes of artists and photographers. The winning image was displayed in Times Square, and photographers around the world challenged Canon’s climate inaction.
In response, Canon stated that CIGS “operates independently.” Still, pressure was mounting — and the company’s new emissions targets made it clear they’d need to increase renewable energy use to meet them. - Early 2024: Our second report revealed that Canon was still the only major camera and printer manufacturer without a renewable energy commitment. Competitors like Sony, Nikon, Epson, and Ricoh had all pledged 100% RE by 2030 or 2040. Canon had yet to publicly commit to any such goal.
Following the report, we launched a second email action targeting Canon’s Sustainability Headquarters in Japan. Hundreds of supporters around the world demanded a firm RE commitment. - May 2024: Canon published its 2024 Sustainability Report, where it showed an increase of 8.33% in its annual renewable electricity use in 2023 — surpassing the 4% range for the first time – to reach 12.87%. In response, we urged the company to continue to increase its RE use at the same rate or faster — which would get them to deliver on 60% RE use by 2030 — by setting a time-bound, public target.
That same month, Canon Oceania became the first — and only — regional office to commit to 100% renewable electricity. We responded with another wave of pressure, calling on Canon’s European and Asian branches to follow suit. While regional momentum is growing, it’s clear that Canon’s global headquarters remains a barrier to meaningful company-wide change. - April 2025: Canon’s latest 2025 Sustainability Report covering 2024 data shows measurable progress. The company’s renewable electricity use rose to 16.45% — up from just 4% in 2022. Five of its factories now run on 100% renewable electricity, and total electricity use also fell. The renewable electricity is largely a mix of solar panels and Renewable Energy Credits, the latter of which can vary significantly in terms of quality.
Due to the increase in renewable energy use and energy efficiency efforts, compared to the 2022 baseline, Canon’s Scope 1 and 2 emissions have decreased by 12.8% and Scope 3 emissions have decreased by 17.7%.
While these are real improvements, Canon still has not made a global commitment to 100% renewable energy — and Canon HQ has not officially withdrawn support from CIGS.
What this campaign achieved
Thanks to the thousands of people who emailed executives, read and shared our reports, submitted their photographs, and took action, Canon is moving along. In three years of pressure:
- Renewable electricity use has more than tripled
- Canon’s Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions reductions targets for 2030 appear to still be achievable.
- Canon has acknowledged the need for an RE transition in key regions
- Five major manufacturing sites have already switched to 100% renewable electricity
These changes didn’t happen in a vacuum — they happened because people took action.
What’s next
At Action Speaks Louder, we focus our energy where we can have the greatest impact. While this campaign is now coming to a close, we’ll continue to hold major corporations accountable — and we’ll keep working to ensure that climate promises are kept and delivered.
Thank you for standing with us.
