Management Approach

Policy and approach

In 1992, we established our Global Environmental Charter and Action Guidelines, and in 1997, compiled our Environmental Philosophy, Environmental Activity Policy, and Code of Conduct into the "TOYOBO Group Fundamental Policy on the Global Environment" and launched a company-wide global environmental conservation initiative.

In addition to reducing the environmental impact of our business activities, we will contribute to society through people- and planet-friendly technologies.

Structure

Our environmental conservation activities (climate change, waste, water resources, biodiversity, etc.) are promoted by the Global Environmental Committee and the Global Environmental Promotion Committee under the Sustainability Committee.

The Sustainability Committee deliberates and decides on overall sustainability activities, including climate change, and reports on the progress of these activities to the Board of Directors once a year. Receiving the report, the Board of Directors supervises the progress of the activities and also manages the progress of company-wide materiality activities under this system. In May 2022, we announced our "Sustainable Vision 2030" based on the resolution of the Board of Directors to realize "a decarbonized and circular society," which is one of the materialities of our group. This includes global environmental protection activities such as reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.

The Global Environmental Committee is responsible for determining policies and managing the progress of global environmental conservation activities, including climate change response, as part of the company-wide sustainability activities. The committee is chaired by the Head of Safety and Disaster Management Division, who is also an executive officer, and is composed of officers in charge of each division and department. In principle, the committee meets once a year.

The Global Environmental Promotion Committee meets six times a year to discuss and decide on specific matters based on policies and to manage the progress of activities. The committee also consists of a promotion committee chair and a team of committee members, who visit each of our offices, production sites, and group companies to conduct "safety and environment assessment" activities, including supervision of compliance with local environmental laws and regulations.

Organizational Chart

Environmental management system

Basic approach

In order to maintain and improve our environmental conservation efforts, we have established an environmental management system that conforms to the ISO 14001 international standard at each of our production sites and laboratories.

In addition, to improve the environmental level of the group, we are continuously conducting "safety and environment assessment" and environmental education for both management and employees.

ISO 14001 certification status

As of March 31, 2022, 17 business sites (50% of all group production sites: 17 out of 34 production sites) have acquired external certification for environmental management system standards.

Business Sites Acquiring ISO 14001 Certification

Safety and environment assessment

To improve the safety and environmental level of the group, the Safety and Disaster Management Promotion Committee and the Global Environmental Promotion Committee conduct "safety and environment assessments" as an internal audit of all production sites, including group companies, in accordance with our company's rules. The assessment includes confirmation of the status of various environmental laws and regulations, environmental pollution risk management, and promotion of environmental conservation activities such as energy-saving initiatives.

In addition to annual self-assessments using a checklist, each site undergoes an on-site audit once every three years to maintain and improve the level of management.

Items to be checked in the safety and environment assessment (partial)

• Complying with laws and regulations and managing the risk of environmental pollution
• Promoting environmental conservation activities (energy conservation, waste reduction, green purchasing, etc.)
• Acquiring third-party certification for its environmental management system
• Implementing appropriate management of chemical substances

In fiscal 2022, we carried out the audits at two business sites and three group companies. The audit results showed that all of these sites and companies performed well in terms of safety and environmental management.

Locations at which Audits Have Been Performed in the Last Three Years

Environmental compliance

The Toyobo group is committed to reducing emissions by not only complying with legal and regulatory standards, but by also making continuous improvements in the prevention of air and water pollution. We will continue to further reduce our environmental impact.

For fiscal 2020 to 2022, there were no environmental-related fines or penalties.

• ESG Performance Data for the number of violations in fiscal 2020-2022 (147KB)

Environmental education

The Toyobo group promotes a variety of educational and awareness activities in order to improve the environmental awareness of the employees and corporate officers, including the management level.

During Environment Month, we hold an annual environmental seminar with outside lecturers invited, in which many employees and corporate officers, including the management level participate. In addition, at each business site, we hold environmental exhibitions featuring panels that introduce our group's environmental activities as well as exhibitions of eco-conscious products, and these introduce the Toyobo group's environmental activities to our employees and the local community.

In addition, we are promoting environmental education through a unique curriculum tailored for new employees.

Environmental seminars

In fiscal 2023, two seminars were held on the theme of "Biodiversity." Both face-to-face and online seminars were held, with a total of approximately 500 participants.

Past Seminar Themes

• FY 2022: Policy Trends Toward Carbon Neutrality by 2050
• FY 2021: From CSR as Ethics to ESG as Strategy New Normal in the Age of SDGs
• FY 2020: Achieving the SDGs and corporate initiatives
• FY 2019: A Changing World with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
• FY 2018: CSR and Corporate Environmental Activities

Environmental exhibition

The Toyobo group held an environmental exhibition once a year to deepen employees' understanding of the group's efforts to conserve the global environment (since fiscal 2022, the exhibition has also been held via the Internet). In fiscal 2023, the exhibition introduces our action guidelines for "biodiversity conservation" and the activities being conducted at each of the group's production sites.

Environmental education on joining the company

Education upon joining the company is provided not only to fresh hires, but also to mid-career employees at all locations, including at group companies. In addition to explaining plans and achievements regarding the global environmental conservation system and initiatives, the training helps participants understand why environmental protection is important by linking it with the Toyobo Group Charter of Corporate Behavior, and explains what is expected of employees of the Toyobo group.

Session for management

In June 2021, we invited an outside lecturer to hold a study session on carbon neutrality at the Carbon Neutral Strategies Council for the management level.

Green purchasing

For general purchases such as office supplies, the Toyobo group promotes green purchasing by specifying target items and utilizing "environmental labels."

In fiscal 2022, the green purchasing rate was 100% for 10 of the 12 items^* targeted. We will continue to expand the range of items covered by the scheme, keeping an eye on the green purchasing rate and trends in the world.

• Copy paper, toilet paper, files, tape for label printers, computers, copy machines, printers, fax machines, lighting equipment, fire extinguishers, air conditioners (for home use), work clothes and uniforms