キヤノンの年次株主総会に合わせて、気候変動をテーマにした優秀作品をニューヨークのタイムズスクエアに掲示し、同社に対して公的な対応を求めます。

2023年2月15日　日本のテクノロジー企業であるキヤノンのシンクタンク、キヤノングローバル戦略研究所（CIGS）が広めている気候変動懐疑論に対する問題意識を高めるため、気候変動をテーマにした世界規模の写真コンテストが開始されました。

このコンテストは、気候変動を懸念する写真家と、グローバル企業の社会的責任を追求する団体「Action Speaks Louder」により開催され、キャッチフレーズとして「#CamerasDontLie」を掲げています。これは、キヤノンのシンクタンクの研究主幹であり、政策決定に影響力がある審議会のメンバーでもある杉山大志氏が、気候非常事態を「フェイクニュース」と呼び、中高生を対象とした本など気候科学に疑問を呈する書籍を出版したことに対応するものです。

研究主幹の発言は、キヤノンがクリーンエネルギーへのコミットメントに出遅れたことと一致しています。ソニー、リコー、富士フイルム、ニコン、パナソニックなどの同業他社が再生可能エネルギー100％を約束しているのに対し、キヤノンは4.85％の再生可能エネルギー目標しか約束していません。2022年末のTransition Asiaの報告書でも、キヤノンが排出量削減目標を事実上半減させていることが明らかにされています。

この写真コンテストは一般に公開され、Celina Chien氏、Hisham Akira Bharoocha氏、石川直樹氏など、影響力のある写真家、アーティスト、活動家が審査員として参加します。また、「#CamerasDontLie」の最優秀賞受賞作は、2023年3月下旬に予定されているキヤノンの年次株主総会に先立ち、ニューヨークのタイムズスクエアのビルボード広告でも披露される予定です。

Action Speaks Louderは、キヤノンに対し、CIGSの反科学的かつ化石燃料を支持する見解を決して擁護しない旨の公式声明を発表するよう要求しています。また、キヤノンに対し、再生可能エネルギー100％にコミットし、日本における迅速なエネルギー転換の実現に向けた政策提言をするよう求めています。

「キヤノンは世界で最も影響力のあるブランドの1つであり、真の気候変動対策を促進する力を有しています。しかし、キヤノンが気候変動懐疑論を推進し、クリーンエネルギーに関するひどい記録を残しているという現実は、顧客に衝撃を与えるでしょう。このコンテストは、世界中の写真家の創造力を活かし、キヤノンが自称している持続可能な企業であるよう求めることを目的としています。」ジェームズ・ロレンツ｜Action Speaks Louder エグゼクティブ・ディレクター

「気候変動を否定し、気候科学に関する不正確な情報を広めることは、この地球上で私たちが共に生きる未来を破壊することと同じです。キヤノンは、企業として、またグローバルブランドとして、大きな責任を負っています。キヤノンは、歴史の間違った側に名を残すことを望んでいるのでしょうか。環境に関する誤った情報発信へのサポートをやめ、変化をもたらすストーリーテリングの媒体となってください。」セリーナ・チエン｜Cameras Don’t Lie 審査員／フォトジャーナリスト、俳優

「気候変動問題をめぐる『科学論争にみえるもの』のかなりの部分は、行動の先送りを目的としたものです。持続可能な未来を目指す企業は、企業のコアバリューを損なう作為的な論争から距離を置くべきでしょう。」 江守 正多｜東京大学 未来ビジョン研究センター 教授／国立環境研究所 上級主席研究員

「キヤノンは杉山氏のミスインフォメーションを看過することで、自社の評判を落としてしまっている。彼を止めることで、顧客からの信頼を取り戻すことができるだろう。」明日香壽川｜東北大学 東北アジア研究センター・同大学院環境科学研究科教授

同写真コンテストは現在開催中で、コンテストのウェブサイトhttps://speakslouder.org/campaign/cameras-dont-lie/jp/ から応募することができます。応募の締め切りは、2月28日 23:59（日本時間）です。

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Action Speaks Louderについて

ウェブサイト: https://speakslouder.org/

Cameras Don’t Lie写真コンテスト: https://speakslouder.org/campaign/cameras-dont-lie/jp/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/action.speaks.louder/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ActSpeaksLouder

Transition Asia レポート

Coinciding with annual Canon shareholder meeting, the winning climate change-themed image will be displayed in Times Square, New York City, to pressure camera company into public response

Wednesday 15 February 2023: ​​A global climate change-themed photography competition has launched to raise awareness of the climate denial being spread by Japanese technology company Canon’s think tank, the Canon Institute for Global Studies (CIGS).

Climate-concerned photographers and corporate accountability group Action Speaks Louder are launching the competition with the tagline #CamerasDontLie. This is in response to Canon think tank’s research director ​​Taishi Sugiyama — who has sat on influential Japanese government task forces — labelling the climate crisis as ‘fake news’ and publishing books questioning climate science, including one targeted at Japanese school children.

The CIGS’ comments align with Canon’s failure to commit to clean energy. Canon has only committed to a 4.85% renewable energy target, while its peers such as Sony, Ricoh, Fujifilm, Nikon and Panasonic have committed to 100% renewable electricity. A Transition Asia report from late 2022 also revealed Canon has effectively halved its emissions reduction target.

The photography competition is open to the general public; it features an international judging panel consisting of influential photographers, artists and activists such as Celina Chien, Hisham Akira Bharoocha, Naoki Ishikawa and more. The winning #CamerasDontLie image will be displayed as advertising in Times Square, New York City, ahead of Canon’s annual shareholder meeting in late March 2023.

Action Speaks Louder is calling on Canon to issue a public statement that it in no way endorses the anti-science and pro-fossil fuel views of CIGS. The group is also demanding Canon commit to 100% renewable electricity and advocate for the rapid energy transition in Japan.

“Canon is one of the world’s most influential brands and has the capacity to catalyse real climate action. But the reality of Canon’s promotion of climate denial coupled with its appalling record on clean energy would shock its customers. This competition aims to harness the creativity of photographers around the world to challenge Canon to be the sustainable company it markets itself as.” Action Speaks Louder, Executive Director, James Lorenz

“Supporting an institution linked to climate change denial and the spread of inaccurate information regarding climate science is tantamount to sabotaging our collective habitable future on this planet. Canon has an enormous responsibility as a company in its own operations and as a global brand. Does Canon want its legacy to be on the wrong side of history? Stop supporting environmental misinformation and be the medium of change-making storytelling.” Cameras Don’t Lie judge and award-winning photojournalist and actor, Celina Chien

“A significant portion of ‘what appears to be a scientific controversy’ over the climate crisis is intended to delay action. A company that aims for a sustainable future should keep a distance from such a manufactured controversy, which would undermine its core value.” Seita Emori, Professor, Institute for Future Initiatives, the University of Tokyo/Senior Principal Researcher,  National Institute for Environmental Studies 

“Canon is putting its reputation at risk by allowing Sugiyama’s misinformation. They can regain trust from their customers by stopping him.” Jusen Asuka, Professor, Graduate School of Environmental Studies, Tohoku University

The photography competition is live, and entries can be submitted via the competition page https://speakslouder.org/camerasdontlie. The deadline for entries is 23:59 on 28th February Japan Standard Time.

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About Action Speaks Louder

Action Speaks Louder holds big companies accountable for their climate change promises. Scientists agree the climate crisis is hurting us now, not just tomorrow. Burning fossil fuels is causing this crisis.

From extreme weather to food shortages and deaths from air pollution, the impacts of global warming on our health and the planet are devastating. Our future and our children’s future are at stake. Every action we take now to cut the use of fossil fuels makes a difference.

Most big companies are already promising to stop causing climate change. That’s because ‘sustainability’ is a popular selling point for their customers, staff and investors. But the gap between what they say and what they do is often vast. At Action Speaks Louder, our campaigners identify the companies which can make the greatest impact. When these companies stop using fossil fuels and stop blocking the transition to clean energy, the payoff spans the planet.

Website: https://speakslouder.org/

Competition page: https://speakslouder.org/camerasdontlie 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/action.speaks.louder/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ActSpeaksLouder

Transition Asia Reports

Tuesday 29 November, 2022: Corporate accountability group Action Speaks Louder is calling on Canon Inc to clarify reports indicating it has cut its emission target by more than 50%.

The demand comes in the wake of an analysis by Transition Asia revealing Canon’s new 2030 emissions reduction target has been lowered from its original 50% commitment, to approximately 23% comparative emissions reduction. 

“Canon needs to urgently clarify whether it is trying to retreat from its climate policy,” said Action Speaks Louder Executive Director James Lorenz.

Such a policy reverse would be almost unprecedented in a corporate world which continues to ratchet up climate ambition. It would be a slap in the face to Canon’s staff, investors and customers which have bought into the company’s promise of environmental leadership. 

The decision would put Canon at odds with the vast majority of the business world which continues to increase climate ambition to match consumer expectation, and also to take advantage of the decreasing cost of renewable energy. Fujifilm retains a 2030 emission reduction target of 50%, with Kyocera at 46% – double that of Canon.

In addition, in February this year, Action Speaks Louder revealed Canon’s think tank, The Canon Institute for Global Studies, is a platform for climate denial, with one Research Director, Taishi Sugiyama labeling the climate emergency ‘fake news’ and accusing Greta Thunberg of communism.

Moreover, Canon’s leadership has come under fire from investors on other issues such as diversity. At its 2022 AGM, 25% of shareholders, including the world’s largest asset manager Blackrock, voted against the re-election of Canon CEO Fujio Mitarai – a revolt almost unheard of in the corporate landscape in Japan. As a rationale for its vote against Mr Mitarai, BMO Asset Management stated, ‘the Board lacks sufficient diversity to meet our expectations.” 

“Canon’s leadership is drawing attention to itself for all the wrong reasons. In order to avoid a further erosion of its credibility, Canon must live up to the standards it purports to set for itself and maintain a climate target based on science rather than fiction,” said Lorenz.

Action Speaks Louder is calling on Canon Inc to:

  • End its support for climate denial through the Canon Institute for Global Studies;
  • Commit to 2030 absolute emissions reduction target that is at least equivalent to 45% from 2010 (excluding offsets);
  • Commit to 100% renewable energy with at least 60% RE by 2030 and secure captive and PPA;
  • Develop and implement a 1.5°C-aligned climate policy engagement plan that includes active engagement on key 1.5°C-relevant regulation and RE policy, especially in Japan.

For more information contact James Lorenz at james@speakslouder.org or +61 (0) 400 376 021

Monday 28 February, 2022: Climate campaign organization Action Speaks Louder is today launching a new report revealing Canon Inc.’s links to a think-tank promoting dangerous climate delay and denial.

Read the report.

Research Directors at the Canon Institute for Global Studies (CIGS) have labelled the climate crisis ‘liberal propaganda,’ praised far-right US Republicans for their awareness ‘that warming and climate crisis theories are fake,’ attacked environmental campaigns as ‘evil’ and termed climate activist Greta Thunberg a ‘communist.’

Fujio Mitarai is both CEO and Chairman of Canon Inc, and Chairman of the Board of Supervisors at the Canon Institute.

With Mr Mitarai, a former Chairman of Japan’s powerful Keidanren business lobby, at the helm and former Bank of Japan Governor Toshihiko Fukui as its President, the Canon Institute reaches deep into Japanese Government policy-making, as well as international bodies such as the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).

But its ambitions stretch beyond policy-making. In January 2022, one of its Research Directors, Taisha Sugiyama, even launched “Global warming from the age of 15: Factfulness not taught at school,” a book of climate denial aimed at teens.

“Canon Inc. markets itself to customers as a sustainable company. Its corporate philosophy, “kyosei,” means ‘living and working together for the common good.’ Yet its trusted brand is being leveraged as a platform to promote dangerous climate denial to children and conduct high-level policy advocacy in favour of fossil fuels,” said Action Speaks Louder Executive Director James Lorenz.

Amongst a long list of extreme publications, Canon Institute Research Director Taishi Sugiyama released Decarbonization is full of lies in June 2021. The book includes chapter headings such as ‘decarbonisation destroys the economy’ and ‘the climate crisis is liberal propaganda,’ whilst claiming US President Joe Biden cannot reduce CO2 and that the climate emergency is ‘fake news’ pushed by the liberal elite.

Mr Suguyima and his fellow researchers also sit on influential government bodies, such as those in the Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry (METI).

“Canon offers the weak disclaimer that it is not responsible for the views of Research Directors employed by the think-tank which shares its name, was set up to commemorate its own 70th anniversary and is Chaired by its own CEO,” said Lorenz.

“Canon is a powerful company with the capacity to genuinely drive and inspire climate action amongst its millions of customers worldwide. We are calling on it to live up to its values and ensure the Canon Institute puts an end to climate denial and delay.”

Read the report.

For more information, contact James Lorenz on +61 (0)400 376 021 or james@speakslouder.org