Sojitz recognizes that sustainability is one of our top management priorities, and we are actively undertaking initiatives aimed at conserving the environment in all aspects of our business activities.

To this end, we have introduced an environmental management system (EMS) based on ISO 14001 and headed by Sojitz’s president. The aims of Sojitz’s EMS are as follows:

1. Ensure implementation of our environmental policies
2. Elevate employee awareness
3. Actively implement risk management, such as through compliance with laws and regulations
4. Carry out smooth communication with stakeholders

In our EMS, management first sets a company-wide policy, and each department sets targets in line with the policy and its associated risks and opportunities after examining the external trends, internal issues, and risks and opportunities for the company that contributed to the determination of the policy. Management then monitors these targets, and each department implements a PDCA cycle for continuous improvement after undergoing internal environmental audits and audits by external organizations.

Risks and Opportunities for the Key Sustainability Issues (Materiality) Set by Sojitz

Reflection of Environmental Targets in Performance Evaluations

Sojitz evaluates its efforts in these areas from both qualitative and quantitative perspectives, and reflects them in the performance evaluation of each business division.

Various Policies in Sojitz’s Environmental Management Systems (EMS)

The various policies that we emphasize in our EMS are as follows.

１）Key Sustainability Issues (Environment, Resources, Local Communities, Human Rights)

In our environmental management systems (EMS), we set targets related not only to the environment, but also for our Key Sustainability Issues such as resources, local communities, and human rights. Sojitz also monitors and provides direction for achieving these targets.

2. Sojitz Group Environmental Policy

1） Sojitz Group CO2 Reduction Targets

1. Scope 1 and Scope 2 Targets

2. Scope 3 Targets

2) Sojitz Corporation’s Energy Consumption Targets

◆We aim to reduce our consumption to below the level of the last year of the previous medium-term management plan.

3) Sojitz Group’s Major Environmental Goals

The environmental targets set by each department based on Sojitz’s policies and the targets listed above can be broadly divided into business-related activities and in-office activities. The main targets for FY2021 are as follows. Basically, all business divisions have established goals related to their businesses, while also focusing on in-office activities. The main goals for FY2021 are as follows

Business-Related Activities

In-Office Activities

Office waste recycling rate

◆ Our target for FY2020 and beyond: to continuously maintain a recycling rate of 90%.

*We already achieved 95% in FY2016. Moving forward, we are committed to retaining and raising this level.

ご参照More on details of our 90% recycling rate target.

Sojitz’s president is the chief executive officer heading the company’s environmental initiatives, while the GM of the Corporate Sustainability Office is responsible for the operations of Sojitz’s EMS as the lead environmental management officer of the company. The GM of the Corporate Sustainability Office promotes the EMS by seeking participation from all employees and in cooperation with the relevant staff in each business division and other designated environmental managers.

Through this system, we aim to comply with environmental laws and regulations, prevent environmental risks including those related to climate change, and promote environmentally friendly business practices. In addition, we establish and manage environmental goals by first setting targets related to environmental risk prevention, environmentally friendly businesses, energy and resource conservation, CO2 emission reduction, and other climate change-related risks. We also implement a PDCA cycle to evaluate and analyze our progress and ensure that we achieve the targets we set.

In addition, we have established a Sustainability Committee chaired by the president. The Sustainability Committee chair conducts reviews of the environmental management system (EMS) to ensure the ongoing appropriateness, adequacy, and effectiveness of the company’s EMS. The Sustainability Committee reports the results of previous management reviews, external and internal issues, risks and opportunities, achievement status of environmental targets, and the results of internal environmental audits to the chair of the Sustainability Committee, and based on the EMS report by the environmental management officer of the company and reports made to the Sustainability Committee, the company announces decisions, provides resolutions, and offers directives in areas such as opportunities for continuous improvement.

ご参照More on the Sustainability Committee

Sojitz Environmental Management System (EMS) Chart (ISO14001)

ISO14001 Certification

Sojitz Corporation and the following companies have acquired ISO14001 certification and are subject to Sojitz’s EMS.

• Certification Body

  JIC Quality Assurance Ltd.

• Certification Number

  E1436

• Scope of Certification^*1

  Sojitz Corporation Head Office, Kansai Office
  Sojitz Kyushu Corporation Head Office
  Sojitz Pla-Net Corporation Tokyo Head Office, Osaka Branch
  Sojitz Foods Corporation Head Office, Kansai Branch, Northern Japan Branch
  Sojitz JECT Corporation Tokyo Head Office
  Sojitz Fashion Co., Ltd. Head Office, Tokyo Branch, Tokyo Branch Annex
  Sojitz Machinery Corporation Tokyo Head Office, Osaka Office, Nagoya Office

• Date of Certification

  March 16, 2006^*1

• Date of recertification

  January 12, 2023

• Date of Expiry

  January 23, 2025

ISO14001 Certification within Sojitz Group

The Sojitz Group companies that have obtained ISO14001 certification are as follows.

Companies that have obtained ISO14001 certification (as of Jul 1st, 2022)
In Japan: ■Sojitz Corporation ■Nissho Electronics Corporation ■Sojitz Machinery Corporation ■Tokyo Yuso Co., Ltd. ■Sojitz Pla-Net Corporation ■Pla Matels Corporation ■Filteren Co., Ltd. ■DaiichiboCo., Ltd. ■Sojitz Building Materials Corporation ■Sojitz Kyushu Corporation ■Sojitz Foods Corporation ■Sojitz New Urban Development Corporation ■Sojitz Ject Corporation ■Sojitz Fashion Co., Ltd.	Outside of Japan: ■Autrans (Thailand) Co., Ltd. ■Sojitz Kelanitissa (Private) Limited ■PT. Kaltim Methanol Industri ■Thai Central Chemical Pcl. ■The Long Binh Industrial Zone Development LLC ■Saigon Paper Corporation ■Long Duc Investment Co., Ltd. ■Sojitz Vietnam Company Ltd.

22 companies in total, including both in and outside of Japan

Click here for the acquisition rate of ISO14001 certification within Sojitz Group

Click here for the acquisition rate of ISO9001 certification within Sojitz Group

Click here for related certifications

Risk Management

As a general trading company, Sojitz conducts business activities on a global scale. In effort to coexist with local communities and the environment, we require the preparation of an "Environmental and Social Risk Checklist" to prevent environmental and social risks and conduct environmental impact assessments from the planning stage for new investment and financing projects.

Environmental Audits

In accordance with ISO14001, we conduct internal environmental audits every year in addition to undergoing external audits conducted by JICQA. We confirm whether each division and group company is implementing the EMS effectively, and report the audit results to Sojitz’s CEO, who holds the ultimate responsibility for the environmental initiatives of the company.

Environmental Communication

When customers or external stakeholders request information about Sojitz's environmental activities, we disclose the information after following the process required by the ISO14001 standard. The information required by the standard includes questionnaires and certified copies of ISO certifications. In FY2021, we responded to 48 questionnaires and submitted 13 certification copies.

1. Environmental Education

To implement our EMS, we hold a company-wide briefing session on the ISO14001 standard at the beginning of each fiscal year. In addition, we conduct trainings for internal environmental audit personnel, e-learnings for select employees on environmental laws and regulations concerning topics such as industrial waste disposal, and departmental education activities twice a year for all employees in all our organizations in order to raise awareness and impart specialized knowledge.

2. Initiatives by Sector

1) Environmental Sector Initiatives

Formulating Policies for Decarbonization while Pursuing Low-Carbon Businesses and Participating in Recycling Businesses

Based on a survey of CO2 emissions in our business activities and on the 1.5℃ scenario analysis of our thermal power generation and coal interests, we have formulated a new policy to promote decarbonization taking into account risks and opportunities that climate change poses to our businesses. We have accelerated the development of decarbonization projects such as renewable energy businesses and coal-to-gas fuel conversion projects, as well as low-carbon businesses with an eye towards decarbonization. In addition, we have established a framework for the formation of a recycling-based society by participating in recycling projects in multiple sectors.

2) Initiatives in the Resources Sector

Promoting Environmentally and Socially Responsible Materials and Contributing to the Realization of a Sustainable Food System

In the lumber sector, we have increased the ratio of environmentally and socially responsible timber in accordance with our Wood Procurement Policy. In the food sector, we are contributing to the realization of a sustainable food system by beginning to handle fish sourced from full-life cycle aquaculture, among other measures.

Environmental Data

Sojitz promotes energy conservation, resource conservation, waste reduction, recycling, and green procurement. Specific measures for conserving energy include early introduction of the "Cool Biz" program, a "Warm Biz" program, using motion sensors to turn off lights when they are not needed, participating in the Ministry of Environment’s “Lights-Down” campaign, and shortening the time before copiers and other office equipment switch to power-saving mode.

Sojitz Corporation has asked KPMG AZSA Sustainability Co., Ltd., to provide assurance on the following data since FY2013.

Scope of Third-Party Assurance:

FY2021 Independent Assurance Report

1．Electricity, CO2, and Energy

A)　Sojitz Corporation’s Electricity Consumption and CO2 Emissions

1. Data and Results　 (FY2016－FY2020)

2. Scope of Data

◆ Sojitz Corporation: Head office, satellite offices, Kansai Office, and branches (Hokkaido, Tohoku and Nagoya)

3. CO2 Emissions factors

◆ We use the most recent actual emission factors announced by the Electric Power Council for a Low Carbon Society (ELCS).
◆ Emission factors used for city gas is as specified by the Act on Promotion of Global Warming Countermeasures

B)　Sojitz Group’s Electricity Consumption, CO2 Emissions

1. Electricity Consumption

2. CO2 Emissions

3. Breakdown of CO2 Emissions

4. Scope of Data

5. Target for CO2 Emissions Reduction

6. CO2 Emission factors

C) Sojitz Corporation’s Energy Consumption (Heating)

1. Data and Results　(FY2016－FY2020)

D) Sojitz Group’s Energy Usage (Heating)

1. Data and Results

2. Scope of Data

A) Sojitz Corporation’s Waste Discharge and Recycling Rates

1. Data and Results　(FY2016－FY2020)

2. Scope of Data

3. Target Recycling Rate

B) Sojitz Group’s Waste Discharge

1. Data and Results

2. Scope of Data

3. Water Consumption

A) Sojitz Corporation’s Water Usage

1. Data and Results　(FY2016－FY2020)

2. Scope of Data

B) Sojitz Group’s Water Usage

1. Data and Results

2. Scope of Data

4. Paper Consumption

A) Sojitz Corporation’s Paper Usage

① Data and Results (FY2016－FY2020)

② Scope of Data

5. Logistics-related CO2 Emissions

A) Sojitz Corporation’s Logistics-related CO2 Emissions

① Data and Results　(FY2016－FY2020)

② Initiatives

6. CO2 Emissions Resulting from Business Trips Overseas

A) CO2 emissions resulting from overseas business trips

1. Data and Results

2. Scope of Data

Refers to flights to/from Japan taken by Sojitz Corporation employees. We have divided business trip destinations into six areas and selected a major airport from each area to use in determining distances for the calculation of passenger kilometer data.

3. Emission factors used

To calculate emission factors, we use emission units from the "Emissions Unit Values for Accounting of Greenhouse Gas Emissions, etc., by Organizations Throughout the Supply Chain," published by the Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry and the Ministry of the Environment.

B） CO2 emissions resulting from commuting

1. Data and Results

2. Scope of Data

Emissions from trains and buses used by Sojitz Corporation employees.

3. Emission factors used

To calculate emission factors, we use emission units from the "Emissions Unit Values for Accounting of Greenhouse Gas Emissions, etc., by Organizations Throughout the Supply Chain," published by the Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry and the Ministry of the Environment.

7. Other Environmental Data

Sojitz Group's CO2 Emissions - Changes in Output

（in tons CO2 per person）

(CO2 emissions by Sojitz Group companies worldwide, including Sojitz Corporation, divided by the number of employees belonging to consolidated subsidiaries worldwide)

Sojitz Group's NOx, Sox and VOC Emissions

（in tons）

Number of Instances of Environmental Non-conformance and Requests for Improvement

In the operation of our EMS, we have established a system for reporting and remedying violations of laws, regulations, or government guidance. We share throughout the company all incidents that occur and take preventive measures to prevent their recurrence.