East Japan Railway Company, commonly known as JR East, is a leading player in the railway industry, headquartered in Tokyo, Japan. Established in 1987, the company emerged from the privatisation of the Japanese National Railways and has since become a cornerstone of public transport in the Kanto region and beyond. JR East operates an extensive network of trains, including the iconic Shinkansen (bullet trains), commuter lines, and freight services. Its commitment to innovation and customer service sets it apart, with advanced technology and punctuality being hallmarks of its operations. With a strong market position, JR East has achieved notable milestones, including the introduction of the E5 Series Shinkansen, which exemplifies speed and efficiency. As a vital component of Japan's transport infrastructure, JR East continues to shape the future of rail travel in East Japan.
How does East Japan Railway's carbon action stack up? DitchCarbon scores companies based on their carbon action and commitment to reducing emissions. Read about our methodology to learn more.
Mean score of companies in the Rail Transport industry. Comparing a company's score to the industry average can give you a sense of how well the company is doing compared to its peers.
East Japan Railway's score of 43 is higher than 65% of the industry. This can give you a sense of how well the company is doing compared to its peers.
In 2024, East Japan Railway Company (JR East) reported total carbon emissions of approximately 6,000,000,000 kg CO2e, comprising 1,610,000,000 kg CO2e from Scope 1, 1,190,000,000 kg CO2e from Scope 2, and 3,160,000,000 kg CO2e from Scope 3 emissions. The Scope 3 emissions include significant contributions from capital goods (1,140,000,000 kg CO2e) and purchased goods and services (590,000,000 kg CO2e). JR East has set ambitious climate commitments, aiming for a 40% reduction in Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions by 2031, compared to 2014 levels. This initiative includes the installation of power storage facilities and the increased use of renewable energy. Additionally, the company is committed to achieving net zero emissions by 2050 for both Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions, with a near-term target of reducing Scope 1 emissions by 30% from a 2020 baseline by 2030. The company’s emissions data is independently reported and does not cascade from any parent organization. JR East's ongoing efforts reflect a strong commitment to sustainability within the rail transport sector in Japan.
Access structured emissions data, company-specific emission factors, and source documents
| 2018 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scope 1 | 1,390,000,000 | 000,000,000 | 0,000,000,000 | 0,000,000,000 | 0,000,000,000 |
| Scope 2 | 1,330,000,000 | 0,000,000,000 | 0,000,000,000 | 0,000,000,000 | 0,000,000,000 |
| Scope 3 | - | 0,000,000,000 | - | 0,000,000,000 | 0,000,000,000 |
East Japan Railway's Scope 3 emissions, which increased by 0% last year and increased by approximately 8% since 2021, demonstrating supply chain emissions tracking. Most of their carbon footprint comes from suppliers and value chain emissions, with Scope 3 emissions accounting for 53% of total emissions under the GHG Protocol, with "Capital Goods" being the largest emissions source at 36% of Scope 3 emissions.
Climate goals typically focus on 2030 interim targets and 2050 net-zero commitments, aligned with global frameworks like the Paris Agreement and Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) to ensure alignment with global climate goals.
East Japan Railway has not publicly committed to specific 2030 or 2050 climate goals through the major frameworks we track. Companies often set interim 2030 targets and long-term 2050 net-zero goals to demonstrate measurable progress toward decarbonization.

Common questions about East Japan Railway's sustainability data and climate commitments