Watami Energy to Launch 'Carbon Offset Drink' in Restaurants Using Forest Credits

Watami Energy Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of Watami Co., Ltd., announced it will begin selling a 'Carbon Offset Drink' utilizing forest credits at Watami's 'Mirai-zaka' restaurant chain, starting May 20, 2026. This initiative is based on Watami Energy's concept of 'decarbonization in the palm of your hand,' aiming to make decarbonization more accessible to people through small, everyday actions. For each drink sold, a contribution will be made to forest maintenance costs, using forest credits from Rikuzentakata City, Iwate Prefecture, to offset the CO₂ generated during the drink's provision.

Drinking to Support Future Forests The Watami Group has been working with Rikuzentakata City on forest conservation and regional revitalization since the Great East Japan Earthquake. The 'Carbon Offset Drink' is a new environmental action born from this relationship, allowing customers to 'nurture forests by drinking.' The goal was to create a system where people can enjoyably participate in environmental contribution in an everyday setting like a restaurant.

How the Carbon Offset Works For each drink, 10 yen is contributed to forest maintenance fees and used to purchase forest credits from Rikuzentakata City. This creates a cycle where emissions are offset by the CO₂ absorption of forests. Approximately 1,500 drinks will contribute to the absorption of one ton of CO₂. The initiative utilizes a service called 'Minna no Carbon Offset™' (Everyone's Carbon Offset).

About 'Minna no Carbon Offset™' 'Minna no Carbon Offset™' is a carbon offset support service for businesses and financial institutions, jointly developed by TOPPAN Edge Inc. and Wastebox Co., Ltd. The service provides a one-stop online platform for the procedures required for carbon offsetting, supporting corporate decarbonization efforts.

Under its 'decarbonization in the palm of your hand' concept, Watami Energy promotes environmental actions that anyone can casually participate in. Through this initiative, the company aims to make forest conservation and CO₂ reduction feel more familiar through the simple act of drinking. Moving forward, Watami Energy will continue to contribute to a sustainable society by expanding 'participatory decarbonization' in collaboration with partners inside and outside the group, utilizing forest credits and renewable energy.