Sustainability ESG Management: The Environment / Environmental Initiatives
Philosophy
The IKO Group recognizes that conservation of the global environment is an important issue that is vital to all humans. Therefore we are engaging in environmentally-friendly corporate activities as part of our corporate social responsibility, reducing the load on the environment, and working to realize a sustainable and prosperous global environment.
Environmental Policy
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Countermeasures for global warming and climate change As "a technology development-based company" that contributes to society, we will continue to design and develop products and services that reduce the load on the environment throughout their lifecycle. We have a clear understanding of how our business activities impact the environment and are implementing climate change countermeasures with the aim of achieving a completely carbon neutral supply chain. |
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| 2 |
Conservation of biodiversity We have assessed the impact of our business activities on biodiversity and are promoting environmental protection activities in collaboration with each country and region with the aim of achieving a society that can coexist with nature. |
| 3 |
Contributing to a recycling-oriented society We are thoroughly implementing Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle efforts through our business activities to minimize input resources such as raw materials and water, while also minimizing waste. |
| 4 |
Reducing substances that are hazardous to the environment We are properly managing and reducing substances that are hazardous to humans and ecosystems throughout our entire supply chain. |
| 5 |
Environmental compliance We are complying with laws, ordinances, agreements, and other requirements related to environmental conservation, and are proactively cooperating with measures that have been implemented in each country and region. We also establish our own management standards as needed to further environmental conservation efforts. |
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Improving environmental performance In addition to establishing environmental goals for achieving this policy, we organize an environmental management system and engage in continuous environmental conservation activities. We endeavor to improve the environmental performance of the IKO Group based on this review. |
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Promoting environmental communication By making this policy clearly understood throughout the IKO Group, we will improve the awareness and knowledge of employees about the environment. We will also proactively disclose information about the environment to all stakeholders via positive communication in order to deepen mutual understanding and to maintain and strengthen trust. |
Environmental Management System
Recognizing the importance of co-existence and co-prosperity with local communities, the Group has been promoting environmental management under our Environmental Policy since 1998. In April 2023, to prepare for strengthening environmental management in the future, we revised the content of our Environmental Policy and reorganized this into seven items that clarify the objectives. In addition, by extending our organization for environmental management, which was previously limited to Nippon Thompson, to cover affiliated companies, including non-consolidated companies, so that the entire IKO Group becomes One Team. In this way, we will strengthen our system so that we can work toward resolving environmental issues based on a common understanding.
The Environmental Committee, chaired by the executive director in charge of the Production Department, handles environmental management. Held more than once semiannually, the Committee sets the Group’s annual environmental issues and monitors the progress of environmental management initiatives. The details of the Committee meetings are reported to the Board of Directors as they are held, and the Board of Directors supervises and gives advice on the details.
Environmental Plan and Progress in FY2023
As shown in the table below, the Group’s initiatives to reduce our negative environmental impact in fiscal 2023 were focused on two perspectives that are in line with identified material issues: environmental considerations during business operations and responding to climate change.
From a short-term perspective, we set targets consistent with those set by the industry associations that we belong to. For the medium to long term, we have set ambitious targets consistent with the 1.5°C to 2°C climate change scenario. In addition, our initiatives are centered on saving and creating energy, while we work to communicate this information as a company centered on technology development that contributes to society. As well, we are taking the lead in stimulating activities that reduce environmental impact across society.
As a result, in FY 2023 we achieved both our quantitative and qualitative targets for all items listed. Moving forward, in addition to continuing and strengthening our initiatives, we will promote our medium- to long-term initiatives and accelerate developments aimed at achieving carbon neutrality.
| Issue to Be Addressed | Targets for FY2023 | Actual Results for FY2023 | Degree of Achievement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Environmental considerations during business operations | Reduce unit energy consumption by more than 1.0% every year (Nippon Thompson only) | 3.5% reduction year on year | Achieved |
| Achieve a recycling rate of at least 96% in FY2031 | Recycling rate: 96.8% | Achieved | |
| Reduce final disposal volume by 92% in FY2026 compared with FY2001 | Final disposal amount: 98.7% reduction | Achieved | |
| Climate change response | Formulate environmental impact reduction measures based on use of renewable energy | Implement on-site PPA in the Mugegawa area (launched in April 2023) | Achieved |
| Response to TCFD recommendations and disclosure | Create a disclosure report in line with TCFD recommendations and post it on the Company’s website | Achieved |
Third-Party Evaluations and Certifications
As a company centered on technology development that contributes to society, as stated in our management philosophy, the Group believes that we have an important responsibility to maintain a rich global environment for future generations. We established our Environmental Policy in 1998, and in 2001, our main production centers, in the Gifu area, obtained ISO 14001 certification, the international standard for environmental management systems. In 2003, in the Kamakura area, and in 2013, IKO Thompson Vietnam Co., Ltd. also obtained this certification, and we are developing environmental initiatives based on international standards as well as complying with various regulations, such as the ELV Directive and the RoHS Directive in Europe.
| Site | Year Acquired |
|---|---|
| Gifu Area | 2001 |
| Kamakura Area | 2003 |
| IKO Thompson Vietnam Co., Ltd. | 2013 |
ISO Environmental Management System Certificate
Certificate No.: 13ER-902
Registered company: NIPPON THOMPSON CO., LTD., Production and Engineering Department
Development of community-based environmental activities
Gifu Prefecture Environmentally Conscious Business Facility Certificate
