The major cause of global warming is the increase in emissions of greenhouse gasses (GHG). Kyueisha Corporation is striving to clarify the quantity of GHG it emits and its sources through the production of printed matter based on the carbon footprint approach, and to cut these emissions by reviewing its raw materials, devising innovative manufacturing processes, and taking energy conservation measures. At the same time, it is sharply reducing GHG emissions by taking advantage of the offset effects of carbon offsets.

Carbon Footprint Concept

Based on the carbon footprint concept, Kyueisha measures and cuts GHG emissions (calculated as total CO2) produced by the printed matter it manufactures.

Not only printed matter, but all products, pass through a life cycle including several steps, from raw material procurement to disposal (or recycling). The carbon footprint is obtained by analyzing and measuring the quantities of CO2 emitted at each of five stages of a product life cycle: mining to raw materials, production, distribution, use, and disposal. This is called a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). CO2 emissions are calculated by finding the product of the quantity of materials, electrical power, etc. used by the CO2 coefficient. By accurately visualizing approximately how much CO2 is emitted by each process and from each raw material utilized to clarify sources of CO2, and then revising (or redesigning) manufacturing methods and raw materials which emit large quantities, we cut emissions of the products. This is the meaning of the "carbon footprint approach".
Generally, printed matters are extremely environmentally kind products, which emit no CO2 during use (when read) and maintenance (when stored), and their CO2 emission quantity at the "usage and maintenance stages" is zero. 
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