Environmental Management
Environment (E)
- Long-Term Environmental Vision and Environment 2029V
- Environmental Management
- Responding to Climate Change
- Responding to Water Risks
- Contributing to a Resource-Recycling Society
- Contributing to a Society in Harmony with Nature
- Appropriate Chemical Substance Management
- Environmental Communication
- Environmentally Friendly Products
Shareholders and Investors, Suppliers and Other Trade Partners, Employees, Global Environment
Commitment
Message from the Officer in Charge
Director and Senior Managing Executive Officer
We are fully committed to a carbon-neutral circular economy toward a future where everyone can enjoy a comfortable life.
Global warming caused by greenhouse gases, resource depletion due to mass consumption, and destruction of nature due to deforestation and plastic pollution in the oceans are common global issues. We are committed to carbon neutrality and a circular economy. However, as shown in the Synthesis Report for the Sixth Assessment Report of the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), measures to combat global warming are inadequate, and more efforts and initiatives are needed than ever before.
There is also a sense of crisis that the future will be lost unless serious efforts are made to address the depletion of natural resources and the destruction of nature. In response, in 2023 we formulated the “Long-term Environmental Vision 2050” and mid- and long-term environmental target "Environment 2029V”.
As the officer in charge, I am committed, more than ever before, to leading the environmental conservation activities of the Sumitomo Riko Group to meet these challenges and visions.
The role and responsibility of companies in creating a sustainable society is significant. We will not be left behind but rather will be a leader in the world. We will contribute to the creation of a global environment for a future in which our families, children, and descendants can live safely and comfortably with smiles on their faces.
There is also a sense of crisis that the future will be lost unless serious efforts are made to address the depletion of natural resources and the destruction of nature. In response, in 2023 we formulated the “Long-term Environmental Vision 2050” and mid- and long-term environmental target "Environment 2029V”.
As the officer in charge, I am committed, more than ever before, to leading the environmental conservation activities of the Sumitomo Riko Group to meet these challenges and visions.
The role and responsibility of companies in creating a sustainable society is significant. We will not be left behind but rather will be a leader in the world. We will contribute to the creation of a global environment for a future in which our families, children, and descendants can live safely and comfortably with smiles on their faces.
Basic Approach
As stated in the Sumitomo Riko Group Corporate Action Charter, “recognizing that global environmental issues pose challenges to all humankind, and that it is an integral part of our existence and activities, we shall proactively tackle these issues.”
We will contribute to the conservation of the global environment and the building of a sustainable society through our social contribution activities. In order to realize this policy, we will utilize our environmental management system to reduce environmental impact and risks in our business activities, and we will also actively develop environmentally friendly products and technologies that comply with environmental regulations.
We will contribute to the conservation of the global environment and the building of a sustainable society through our social contribution activities. In order to realize this policy, we will utilize our environmental management system to reduce environmental impact and risks in our business activities, and we will also actively develop environmentally friendly products and technologies that comply with environmental regulations.
Environmental Philosophy
Basic Policy
The Sumitomo Riko Group will always conduct its business activities with consideration for the conservation of the natural environment. We will stick to social expectations and rules, and carry out all the activities from product development, design, procurement, production, logistics, sales to waste disposal under the principles of “MOTTAINAI” and “OMOIYARI.” Sumitomo Riko also aims to formulate a sustainable society while contributing to global environment preservation under the spirit of social contribution.
Action Guideline
1. Establish environmental conservation activities as part of our corporate culture and encourage all employees to participate.
2. Encourage the entire Sumitomo Riko group to be involved in the preservation activities.
3. Develop Sumitomo Riko's own improvement plan besides complying with environment related regulations imposed by national and municipal governments to lower the environmental load.
4. Establish targets and goals for environmental protection and carry them out systematically and continuously.
5. Make efforts to develop products and a production system with low environmental loads and push forward with more active environmental protection activities.
6. Disclose environmental information and promote opinion exchange in local community and society.
2. Encourage the entire Sumitomo Riko group to be involved in the preservation activities.
3. Develop Sumitomo Riko's own improvement plan besides complying with environment related regulations imposed by national and municipal governments to lower the environmental load.
4. Establish targets and goals for environmental protection and carry them out systematically and continuously.
5. Make efforts to develop products and a production system with low environmental loads and push forward with more active environmental protection activities.
6. Disclose environmental information and promote opinion exchange in local community and society.
Environmental Promotion Structure
The CSR Sustainability Committee deliberates and approves policies and the status of environmental activities throughout the Sumitomo Riko Group. This environmental structure oversees our global environmental activities.
Establishment of Environmental Management System (ISO14001)
The Sumitomo Riko Group is promoting the establishment of ISO 14001, the international standard for environmental management systems, at its production bases in Japan and overseas, and is engaged in continuous environmental improvement activities. The number of certified bases is 11 in Japan and 39 overseas.
Related information
FY2023 results and current plans based on Environment 2025P
FY2023 Results for Key Environmental Issues
| Items | Targets | Results | Judgement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Greenhouse Gas | Reduce total emissions by 14.0% compared to FY2018 | 26.7% reduction | ✓ |
| Energy | Reduce energy use by 1.5% compared to FY2022 on an intensity basis | 22.9% reduction | ✓ |
| Renewable Energy | Increase the ratio of renewable energy by 0.3% compared to FY2022 | 1.73% increase | ✓ |
| Waste (excluding valuable resources) | Reduce discharge by 1.0% compared to FY2022 on an intensity basis | 12.4% reduction | ✓ |
| Waste Recycling | Recycling rate 80% or more | 75% | × |
| VOCs | Reduce emissions at Sumitomo Riko below FY2017 actual value | 53% reduction | ✓ |
| Chemical Substances | Continuous compliance with new regulations | Compliance with revised Chemical Substances Control Law, EU REACH, and revised TSCA |
✓ |
| Environmental Incidents | No legal violations or complaints | 9 violations, 1 complaint | × |
| Water Intake | Reduce by 1.0% compared to FY2022 | 4.6% reduction | ✓ |
Plan for FY2024
| Items | Targets | Plans |
|---|---|---|
| Greenhouse Gas | Reduce total emissions by 17.0% compared to FY2018 | Steady implementation of the action plan and continuous reduction through energy efficiency audits, etc. |
| Energy | Reduce energy use by 2.0% compared to FY2022 on an intensity basis | |
| Renewable Energy | Increase the ratio of renewable energy by 0.6% compared to FY2022 | Planned introduction of solar power generation and procurement of Renewable Energy Certificates |
| Waste (excluding valuable resources) | Reduce discharge by 2.0% compared to FY2022 on an intensity basis | Reduction of defects, improvement of yield ratio, and recycling of waste into valuable resources |
| Waste Recycling | Recycling rate of 80% or more | Expansion of recycling applications |
| VOCs | Reduce emissions at Sumitomo Riko below the previous year's level | Continuous implementation of VOCs reduction measures |
| Chemical Substances | Continuous compliance with new regulations | Early acquisition and internal development of new regulatory information |
| Environmental Incidents | Zero serious accidents, legal violations or complaints | Continual base audits and information sharing regarding environmental laws and regulations, etc. |
| Water Intake | Reduce by 2.0% compared to FY2022 | Promotion of highly efficient use and recycling of water |
* Details of each issue are shown on the related pages.
Compliance with Environmental Laws and Regulations
The Sumitomo Riko Group strives to ensure thorough compliance with environmental laws and regulations. In FY2023, there were 9 cases of legal violations (wastewater drainage route violations: Japan; failure to file an application with the government: Japan, USA, Poland) and 1 complaint (noise: Japan). In each case, appropriate measures were taken and no serious incident occurred. We will promote improvement activities to prevent recurrence and aim for zero environmental accidents in the future.
In order to ensure thorough compliance with environmental laws and regulations at each base, in Japan, the Regional Environmental Task Force, composed of environmental managers from each base hold meetings, where revised environmental laws and regulations are explained and cases of violations at each base are shared, thereby encouraging voluntary checks.
In addition, environmental audits are regularly conducted at domestic and overseas bases to check compliance with laws and regulations and to prevent violations from occurring.
We have also prepared "Environmental Management Guidelines," which explain the principles of environmental management, our approach to environmental management, and how to deal with problems when they occur. They are used as training material for heads of bases and executives posted overseas, as well as environmental managers. In addition, we have also prepared and published "Environmentally Friendly Construction Guidelines," which outline the environmental considerations to be made during the construction work ordered by each base, in an effort not only to comply with the law but also to avoid inconveniencing neighboring communities.
In order to ensure thorough compliance with environmental laws and regulations at each base, in Japan, the Regional Environmental Task Force, composed of environmental managers from each base hold meetings, where revised environmental laws and regulations are explained and cases of violations at each base are shared, thereby encouraging voluntary checks.
In addition, environmental audits are regularly conducted at domestic and overseas bases to check compliance with laws and regulations and to prevent violations from occurring.
We have also prepared "Environmental Management Guidelines," which explain the principles of environmental management, our approach to environmental management, and how to deal with problems when they occur. They are used as training material for heads of bases and executives posted overseas, as well as environmental managers. In addition, we have also prepared and published "Environmentally Friendly Construction Guidelines," which outline the environmental considerations to be made during the construction work ordered by each base, in an effort not only to comply with the law but also to avoid inconveniencing neighboring communities.
Future Issues and Responses
Sumitomo Riko has 54 global production bases. Our Environmental Promotion Department, in cooperation with the Carbon Neutral Promotion Office and Global Promotion Office, provides guidance to each base and exchanges information on environmental activities directly with each base or through the Mother Business Headquarters.
With recent environmental regulations and increasing demands for conservation activities, the environmental management of the Sumitomo Riko Group needs to be further upgraded. Therefore, we will continue to exchange information, monitor the status of activities, and communicate with each other in order to realize our Long-Term Environmental Vision for 2050.
With recent environmental regulations and increasing demands for conservation activities, the environmental management of the Sumitomo Riko Group needs to be further upgraded. Therefore, we will continue to exchange information, monitor the status of activities, and communicate with each other in order to realize our Long-Term Environmental Vision for 2050.