Biodiversity
Initiatives for Biodiversity Conservation
SHI Group recognizes that economic and societal prosperity cannot be achieved without natural capital. As part of our environmental management efforts—including the prevention of environmental pollution and our response to climate change—we actively promote initiatives aimed at conserving biodiversity.
In preparation for supporting the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD), we have begun efforts to understand the relationship between our business activities and biodiversity, and have compiled examples of initiatives across various stages of SHI Group’s business processes.
Looking ahead, we plan to conduct scoping analyses using the LEAP approach, including assessments of our business activities’ dependencies and impacts on nature, as well as location-based analyses of our major manufacturing sites.
*1 TNFD (Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures) is a framework that enables companies and organizations to assess and disclose the impacts of their economic activities on the natural environment and biodiversity.
*2 The LEAP approach—Locate, Evaluate, Assess, Prepare—is a process-based guidance designed to help organizations integrate nature-related considerations into their risk management and disclosure practices.
| Process | Examples of Initiatives |
|---|---|
| Raw Material Procurement | Request for biodiversity conservation in the "CSR Procurement Guidelines" of the Sumitomo Heavy Industries Group |
| Manufacturing | - Promotion of energy-saving activities and use of renewable energy - Monitoring and reduction of water usage; reduction of waste generation - Reduction of hazardous substances contained in products - Application of recycled materials in products - Environmental management in accordance with relevant environmental laws and regulations |
| Logistics | - Promotion of modal shift - Improvement of loading efficiency and promotion of regular delivery through planned production - Reduction of plastics through the use of ecosystem-conscious packaging materials |
| Sales | Provision of products and services that contribute to carbon neutrality |
| Maintenance | Provision of maintenance services that support energy efficiency and product longevity |
| Disposal & Recycling | - Proper waste disposal through thorough sorting - Application of recycled materials generated within processes to products - Reduction of hazardous waste contained in products - Adoption of disposal methods that contribute to reducing environmental impact - Consideration of refurbishment |
| Site Management | - Appropriate management of drainage and waste (volume and substances) - Green space management at sites and cleanup activities in surrounding areas |
| Research & Development | Development of technologies that contribute to decarbonization |
Examples from the Osaki Headquarters
SHI Group participated in the “Shinagawa Flower Seaside” initiative, which involves creating flower beds along approximately 2 kilometers of the coastal levee of the Katsushima Canal. Together with local shopping street associations and neighboring companies, we sowed flower seeds to contribute to the beautification and ecological enrichment of the area.We also took part in a tree-planting activity co-hosted by the Carbon Recycling Fund, where we planted fast-growing paulownia trees known for their high CO2 absorption capacity and ability to reach maturity in five to six years.
"Forest of Inspiration" in Tanashi Works
Examples from the Tanashi Works at the Tanashi Works, a portion of the on-site forest has been named the “Forest of Ideas” and opened to the public as a place of relaxation for local residents.We also engage in community contribution activities, such as hosting factory tours for nearby elementary schools.
Examples from the Niihama Works
At the Niihama Works of the Ehime Manufacturing Site, we carry out volunteer cleanup activities around the factory as part of the city’s public facility stewardship program. In one such initiative, we collected a total of five dump trucks’ worth of waste.
Endorsement of Keidanren Initiative for Biodiversity Conservation
In pursuit of a sustainable society, SHI Group has endorsed the Keidanren Initiative for Biodiversity Conservation, which outlines corporate intent and action guidelines for addressing biodiversity-related challenges.
Our key activities under this initiative include reducing wood usage in packaging, tackling the issue of marine plastics, and promoting green spaces and tree planting around our production facilities.