(CU)_Hitachi was announced as the seventh sponsor for the COP26 on Wednesday (10 March), as the multinational conglomerate joins several other companies in supporting the international climate change summit which is scheduled to be held in Glasgow in November.
Other Principal Partners of the event include the NatWest Group, SSE, Scottish Power, National Grid, Sky and Sainsbury’s. United Kingdom’s Cabinet Office said in a statement that through these partnerships, the United Kingdom – as COP26 Presidency – shows its commitment to work with businesses which take “real steps” towards net zero.
“Businesses have a key role to play in helping us build back greener and Hitachi has shown strong leadership by making a clear commitment to combating climate change through science-based measures,” Summit President Alok Sharma said.
He noted that technology plays a vital role in achieving a low carbon future, and Hitachi is “at the forefront of this”. “I am delighted to welcome them as a Principal Partner for COP26,” he added.
The company, headquartered in Japan, also maintains a large presence in the UK. The conglomerate has joined the Race to Zero campaign, and is also part of Science Based Targets, committing to achieve carbon neutrality at all its factories and offices by 2030.
The Cabinet Office added that Hitachi is helping to create a low carbon future through electric transport solutions, and is therefore working with several other companies on the largest commercial electric vehicle trial in the world.
“Climate change is a very real and immediate threat to humanity. As a company, we have a vision to solve environmental challenges and secure a more prosperous planet for future generations,” Hitachi President and CEO Toshiaki Higashihara said.
“Our collaboration with COP26 is consistent with our corporate mission starting more than 110 years ago, when Hitachi was founded to contribute to society through the development of superior, original technologies and products.”
He added that, as a company which aims to help achieve a society that is low carbon, Hitachi believes COP26 is “a significant step forward” in reaching this goal.