Biodiversity
- Related ESG :
- E
Policy and approach
Toyobo Group Fundamental Policy on the Global Environment calls for the group to actively support and participate in environmental protection and biodiversity conservation activities throughout society and in local regions, as a good corporate citizen. In doing this, we strive to minimize the impact of our business activities on ecosystems. We are working on environmental conservation activities such as local cleanup activities at each site. To strengthen the efforts for biodiversity conservation, we formulated the "Action Guidelines for Biodiversity Conservation" in November 2021 and endorsed the "Initiative based on the Declaration of Biodiversity by Keidanren" in January 2022. We are promoting activities based on the folowing guidelines with respecting "Declaration of Biodiversity, Guide to Action Policy" issued by Keidanren (Japan Business Federation), and "Guidelines for Private Sector Engagement in Biodiversity" formulated by the Ministry of the Environment.
Action Guidelines for Biodiversity Conservation
We recognize that biodiversity is an essential part of a sustainable society. As a group which continues to create the solutions needed by people and the earth, understanding the impact of our business activities on conservation of biodiversity, we will endeavor to conserve the three types of biodiversity (species, genetic, and ecosystem diversity) through various activities.
- We will work to understand how the group's business activities depend on and affect biodiversity, and endeavor to avoid or minimize negative impacts.
- We will strive to give consideration to biodiversity conservation throughout the entire value chain.
- We will contribute to the conservation by promoting development of Biodiversity-conscious products and technology.
- We will support and promote conservation activities through the employee's participation, and cooperation and collaboration with various stakeholders including local communities and NGOs.
- We will comply with domestic and overseas agreements on biodiversity.
Identifying risks and opportunities
Toyobo group's business activities and its involvement in biodiversity
The relationships between Toyobo group's activities and biodiversity are organized as shown in the figure below.
In addition, at all domestic and overseas production sites of our group, by using IBAT,*1 we will conduct surveys to determine whether there are any rare species or natural environments such as the World Natural Heritage sites, IUCN*2 Protected Area Management Categories I-VI, and the Ramsar Convention*3 that should be conserved within 1 km around the site, and we have picked up the following bases.
In addition, we will set up initiatives in accordance with each local situation at our sites where natural environments to be preserved are located, and confirm their progress at a company-wide meeting (Global Environmental Promotion Committee) starting in fiscal 2024, along with the promotion of biodiversity conservation.
- *1
- The abbreviation of "Integrated Biodiversity Assessment Tool" refers to a database of the world's protected areas in which the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and other organizations participate.
- *2
- The abbreviation of "International Union for Conservation of Nature" refers to an international nature conservation network consisting of national, governmental and non-governmental agencies.
- *3
- Official name is "Convention on Wetlands of International Importance Especially as Waterfowl Habitat". It aims to conserve wetlands, which are an important habitat for a variety of organisms and a valuable resource for human life, through international cooperation and promote the wise use.
Relationship between Business Activities and Biodiversity [Risks and Opportunities]
Made with reference to the "Map of Relationships between Corporations and Biodiversity" published by the Japan Business Initiative for Biodiversity.
Sites with a Natural Environment to be Conserved
| Site name | IBAT assessment result | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Toyobo Tsuruga Research and Production Center (Tsuruga, Fukui) | Species and habitat management areas | Natural Habitat Conservation Areas, National Wildlife Protection Areas |
| Toyobo Iwakuni Production Center TOYO CLOTH CO., LTD Iwakuni Plant (Iwakuni, Yamaguchi) |
Protected landscape areas Resource conservation areas |
Part of a national park or quasi-national park Areas to be protected for the sustainable use of natural resources |
| ToyoboTakasago Plant (Takasago, Hyogo) |
Resource conservation areas | Areas to be protected for the sustainable use of natural resources |
| Toyobo Research Center (Otsu, Shiga) |
Species and habitat management areas | Natural Habitat Conservation Areas, National Wildlife Protection Areas |
| TOYO CLOTH CO., LTD Tarui Plant (Sennan, Osaka) | Resource conservation areas | Areas to be protected for the sustainable use of natural resources |
| JAPAN EXLAN COMPANY., Ltd. TOYOBO PHOTO CHEMICALS CO., LTD. (Okayama, Okayama) |
Resource conservation areas | Areas to be protected for the sustainable use of natural resources |
- Toyobo Tsuruga Research and Production Center, and Takasago plant: Areas to be protected are located more than 1 km (but less than 2 km) from the site, but are included in the scope of this activity
Initiatives
To minimize the negative impact on biodiversity, we are proceeding following activities.
Contributing through business processes and products
The Toyobo group utilizes a variety of environmental protection technologies, including in-house developed VOC treatment equipment, to remove harmful chemical substances from water and gases emitted at our production site. In addition, we have installed monitoring systems within our production process to ensure that no harmful chemical substances are released accidentally. We also strive to improve our manufacturing processes so as to minimize the amount of these substances that is used and emitted.
Forest conservation activities at "Toyobo Future Forest" in Wakayama prefecture
Forest has multifaceted functions such as conservation of biodiversity and the global environment. We have worked on Forest Conservation Activities of "Toyobo Future Forest" in a mountain forest in central Wakayama prefecture. Since its inception in 2006, in cooperation with the local Hidaka town and the forest association of Kichuu (or central Wakayama prefecture), we have been working on tree planting and weeding, etc. In Novmember 2021, we supplementally planted broadleaf trees such as wild cherry, sawtooth oak, and maple.
Wild deers live in this area of the forest and sometimes eat the seedlings of the trees. For the coexistence of deers and trees, the area around the "Future Forest" is enclosed with nets which use our material, IZANAS® to prevent animals from entering.
Through forest conservation activities in Wakayama prefecture, we will contribute to issues such as biodiversity and climate change.
Putting covers preventing feeding damage by deers on saplings (November 2021)
Participation in cleanup activities to preserve the biodiversity of the Seto Inland Sea
The Seto Inland Sea is one of the most important areas for biodiversity conservation. Iwakuni Production Center, Takasago Plant, TOYO CLOTH CO., LTD., JAPAN EXLAN COMPANY, LIMITED, TOYOBO PHOTO CHEMICALS CO., LTD. are located in this surrounding area. These business sites, and companies conduct cleanup activities at least once a year to pick up litter along the coast and in rivers flowing into the Seto Inland Sea.
Cleanup activities at Iwakuni Production Center
Cleanup activities at Takasago Plant
Cleanup activities at JAPAN EXLAN COMPANY, LIMITED and TOYOBO PHOTO CHEMICALS CO., LTD.
Lake Biwa day event: 100 sites eDNA survey
The Toyobo group has supported "Lake Biwa Challenge: 100 sites eDNA survey," a project to research living organisms in Lake Biwa, Japan's largest lake in Shiga Prefecture. The survey, conducted by Ryukoku University's Center for Biodiversity Science, is a sub-project of “Ryukoku Lecture with Shiga Prefecture related to Lake Biwa Day,” an open lecture of Ryukoku University.
"Lake Biwa Challenge: 100 sites eDNA survey," started in 2021, involves collecting water samples annually at 100 locations along the entire lake by local citizens, organizations, and companies. The samples will be analyzed for environmental DNA* at the university's center, to obtain data essential for conserving biodiversity, such as the habitat distribution, and proliferation of invasive species.
The Research Center, a Toyobo research hub also located in Shiga Prefecture, has participated in local environmental activities and launched its own campaigns to clean up the lake with the aim of conserving the lake's biodiversity. As part of its support for the latest project, Toyobo will regularly take its own water samples at a company site on the lakeside to obtain data over time in addition to participating in the annual lake water sampling. Toyobo will also consider conducting joint projects with the university center that use technology to analyze environmental DNA.
- DNA expelled by living organisms, such as those originating in their body fluids and feces.
Engagement with governments and non-profit organizations
At the environmental seminar held every year as part of the group's environmental education, a study session was held in fiscal 2023 under the theme of "biodiversity conservation" with lecturers invited from the Ministry of the Environment (Office for Mainstreaming Biodiversity) and an NPO (The Citizens Environmental Foundation).
A total of over 500 people participated in each seminar, including online participants, who deepened their knowledge of biodiversity conservation by asking questions to the lecturers.
Scenes of Environmental Seminars in FY2023
Scenes of Environmental Seminars in FY2023
Collaboration with local comunity
The Tsuruga Research and Production Center of our group participates in the ”Tsuruga City Water Environment Improvement Roundtable”, which consists of local government officials, academics, residents, companies, and NGOs that have come together for the purpose of groundwater management. The report provides information on measures to achieve the reduction targets promised to the local government and citizens, as well as the results of activities and future plans.
The Toyobo group will continue to work with local communities to properly manage groundwater use in order to conserve biodiversity.