Resource Sustainability
Policy and Basic Approach
Securing and procuring a stable supply of resources is one of the most important functions of a trading company. However, the earth’s resources are limited, and we must therefore develop, supply, and use resources in a sustainable manner. Furthermore, in recent years there is a growing focus on the shift towards a circular economy in which reusing, reducing, and recycling limited resources enables the effective use of resources. Sojitz’s efforts to realize a circular economy are crucial, not only from the perspective of combating the global issue of climate change and contributing to the reduction of CO2 emissions from product manufacturing and waste incineration, but also because these initiatives for resource recycling create business opportunities for Sojitz.
To accomplish this aim, Sojitz has set “Resources” as one of its Key Sustainability Issues (Materiality) and pursues the development, supply, and use of sustainable resources (energy, mineral, food, water, forest, marine and other resources).We also strive to conserve resources, propose suitable energy mixes, and provide a stable supply of resources.
Furthermore, Sojitz Group’s Environmental Policy states that Sojitz will engage in curbing the use of natural resources such as energy and water, and the reducing and recycling of waste; and that it will promote initiatives for the stable supply of resources and realization of a suitable energy mix.
In the course of discussing Sojitz’s roadmap to a decarbonized society, we have identified technological and world trends for each decade and then determined our response and approach for each. In these discussions, we have positioned our contributions to the construction of a circular economy as an opportunity for Sojitz.
In April 2021, we changed the name of our Metals & Mineral Resources Division to the Metals, Mineral Resources & Recycling Division. Through this division, we will promote reforms of existing resource-related businesses and strengthen our recycling business initiatives.
Roadmap for Decarbonization
Goals and Targets
Targets for Sojitz’s Business Activities
In Sojitz’s Medium-term Management Plan 2023 which was announced in April 2021, Sojitz chose circular economy as one of three focus areas and committed to the following aim:
●We will pursue recycling and recycling-related businesses arising from shifting mass-consumption needs as well as pursue bio-materials businesses.
Focus Areas in MTP2023
Targets for Office Activities
Sojitz Corporation (Tokyo HQ, Osaka office) set a target to “continuously maintain a recycling rate of 90% for the recycling rate of office waste from FY2020 onward. We already achieved a rate of 95% in FY2016. Moving forward, we are committed to retaining and raising this level.
Systems
In order to advance sustainability-oriented management and operations, Sojitz has established a Sustainability Committee with the CEO of Sojitz serving as its Committee Chair, as well a dedicated Corporate Sustainability Office.
The Sustainability Committee's activities include establishing company-wide sustainability-related policies and goals (including for the sustainable use of resources), constructing frameworks for their implementation, and monitoring various measures that utilize the ISO 14001 environmental management system standard.
Additionally, the Finance & Investment Deliberation Council is checking individual proposals for their relevance in terms of environmental or social risks and sustainability.
Sustainability Committee Members (Current as of June 20, 2023)
Asterisk (*) indicates a Director
Double asterisk (**) indicates a Representative Director
Committee Chair |
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Members |
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Observers |
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Secretariat |
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Systems to Promote and Implement Sustainability
ご参照Systems for Enacting Corporate Sustainability
In addition, we monitor resource sustainability within the framework of our environmental management systems. Based on the risks and opportunities we have identified for each Key Sustainability Issue (Materiality), our divisions and departments set targets for the creation of businesses that contribute to the recycling and efficient use of resources.
Managing Environmental & Social Risk
Risk Management by the Sustainability Committee / Reports Submitted to the Board of Directors (Supervisory Body)
Sojitz Group classifies and defines the many risks associated with our businesses according to our Basic Code of Corporate Risk Management, and we establish a risk management policy and management plan for these risks each year, based on a resolution by the Board of Directors.(See this page for details.)Among these risks, countermeasure policy and initiatives regarding environmental and social risk (including risk related to climate change) are deliberated by the Sustainability Committee. These policies and initiatives may then be put into action following a report to the Management Committee and Board of Directors.
New Investment Projects
In addition to examining a project’s business plan, deliberation on all business investments and loans require projects to be analyzed and evaluated for risks to the environment (climate change-related risks) and risks to society (the risk of impacting local residents, labor safety-related risks, etc.) A project’s value must be confirmed from a sustainability perspective prior to resolution.
Initiatives
Sojitz has set “resources” as one of its Key Sustainability Issues (materiality), and pursues the development, supply, and use of sustainable resources. We strive to conserve resources, propose suitable energy mixes, and provide a stable supply of resources.
Examples of Sojitz’s Main Activities from FY2018
Circular Business (Recycling) | ・Low-carbon material recycling model study business (Japan) ・Investment in a circular renewable resource platform start-up (Japan) ・Chemical recycling business partnership (Japan) ・Investment in a non-petroleum based chemical development venture (Japan) |
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Participation in IT Asset Reuse and Recycling Businesses
In January 2021, Sojitz acquired a stake in TES-AMM JAPAN K.K., the Japanese branch of TES Group, one of the largest global IT asset disposition service providers. Through this investment, we look to promote the normalization of reuse and recycling of IT equipment in order to contribute to the realization of circular economies. In addition, TES Group is moving forward with the development of a lithium-ion battery recycling business that utilizes Sojitz’s network.
Acceleration of Chemical Recycling Initiatives
Trial of a Circular Renewable Resource Platform
Sojitz has formed an alliance with Recotech Co., Ltd., Nissho Electronics Corporation, and NTT Communications Corporation to begin a trial of a circular renewable resource platform that realizes a circular economy through visualizing the type and volume of recyclable resources such as plastics—which have previously been disposed of—and creating a place where the resources can be traded between users and suppliers.
This project has been published as a noteworthy case in J4CE (Japan Partnership for Circular Economy)’s “Initiatives on the Circular Economy by Japanese Companies.”
News Releases
United Nations Food Systems Summit (FSS)*1(*1)
Sojitz supports the United Nations Food Systems Summit (FSS), which will launch concrete actions to transform food systems*2 to be more sustainable as part of the UN’s efforts to achieve all Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
- *1:The UN Food Systems Summit is a summit conceived of by United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres as an essential step to transform food systems to become more sustainable and to achieve the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
- *2:Food systems refer to the series of activities involved in the production, processing, transport, and consumption of food.
- ・Source: Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries UN FSS
- ・Source URL: https://www.maff.go.jp/j/kokusai/kokusei/kanren_sesaku/FAO/fss.html
“Sojitz will contribute to the realization of greater sustainability in food systems through its initiatives to provide a stable supply of food resources.”
Goals and Commitments
- ◆Sojitz will lead the way in promoting the spread of MSC-certified sashimi tuna around the world in order to pursue sustainable use of natural fishery resources. MSC certification provides proof that the seafood was caught by a responsible fishery in a sustainable manner.
- ◆In its tuna farming business, Sojitz is committed to sustainable aquaculture and aims to maintain its certification from the Seedling Council for Sustainable Aquaculture (SCSA).
- ◆Sojitz aims to utilize IoT and AI to industrialize tuna farming in order to improve the efficiency of its aquaculture business.
Performance
Waste Discharge Data
A) Sojitz Corporation’s Waste Discharge and Recycling Rates
1) Data and Results (FY2016-FY2020)
2) Scope of Data
- ◆Sojitz Corporation: Head office, Osaka Office
B) Sojitz Group’s Waste Discharge
1) Data and Results
FY2016 | FY2017 | FY2018 | FY2019 | FY2020 | |
Waste Discharge | 15,911 tons | 15,667 tons | 17,902 tons | 60,485 tons | 75,395 tons |
2) Scope of Data
- ◆FY2016~FY2020
Sojitz Corporation (including offices and branches), all Group companies in Japan, Group companies overseas. - Note 1: The main reason for the increase in emissions from FY2019 is the acquisition of an overseas paper manufacturing company in FY2018. Furthermore, the data for FY2018 does not include emissions from this company.
- Note 2:Due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the data for the period ended March 2020 was initially limited to 14 domestic and overseas consolidated subsidiaries with the highest emissions. However, we have finished calculating the emissions for the remaining companies and have restated our emissions totals.
Water Consumption Data
Water withdrawal by source(㎥)
FY2017 | FY2018 | FY2019 | FY2020 | |
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Tap water, industrial water | 673,727 | 659,934 | 3,020,934 | 3,351,857 |
Groundwater | 459,526 | 530,800 | 521,059 | 456,654 |
Seawater | 0 | 180,516,900 | 178,401,225 | 151,920,000 |
River water | 69,545 | 62,920 | 1,220,977 | 1,213,895 |
Rainwater | 2,013 | 2,630 | 4,048 | 3,360 |
Freshwater total | 1,204,812 | 1,256,284 | 4,767,018 | 5,025,766 |
Total (including seawater) | 1,204,812 | 181,773,184 | 183,168,243 | 156,945,766 |
Scope of Data
◆FY2017~FY2020
Sojitz Corporation (including offices and branches), all Group companies in Japan, Group companies overseas.
Note 1: *Freshwater usage has increased since FY2019, mainly due to Sojitz’s acquisition of an overseas paper manufacturing company in FY2018. Furthermore, the data for FY2018 does not include emissions from this company.
Note 2: Due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the data for the period ended March 2020 was initially limited to 14 domestic and overseas consolidated subsidiaries with the highest emissions. However, we have finished calculating the emissions for the remaining companies and have restated our emissions totals.
Amount of wastewater discharged according to discharge site(㎥)
FY2017 | FY2018 | FY2019 | FY2020 | |
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River | 676,824 | 596,454 | 2,741,447 | 2,827,894 |
Ocean | 175,867,270 | 179,770,418 | 177,677,695 | 151,275,080 |
Sewer | 339,915 | 20,131,366 | 245,527 | 166,796 |
Underground seepage | 13,522 | 6,214 | 6,589 | 5,898 |
Other | 107,167 | 97,353 | 112,954 | 68,323 |
Freshwater total | 1,137,429 | 20,831,387 | 3,106,517 | 3,068,911 |
Total (including seawater) | 177,004,698 | 200,601,806 | 180,784,212 | 154,343,992 |
Scope of Data
◆FY2017~FY2020
Sojitz Corporation (including offices and branches), all Group companies in Japan, Group companies overseas.
Note 1: Freshwater discharge has increased since FY2019, mainly due to Sojitz’s acquisition of an overseas paper manufacturing company in FY2018. Furthermore, the data for FY2018 does not include emissions from this company.
Note 2: Due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the data for the period ended March 2020 was initially limited to 14 domestic and overseas consolidated subsidiaries with the highest emissions. However, we have finished calculating the emissions for the remaining companies and have restated our emissions totals.
Recycle Rate for Water Used
FY2016 | FY2017 | FY2018 | FY2019 | FY2020 |
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14% | 13% | 16% | 9% | 8% |
(Amount of water recycled divided by total usage)
Scope of Data
◆FY2016~FY2020
Sojitz Corporation (including offices and branches), all Group companies in Japan, Group companies overseas.
Note 1: The recycling rate has been declining since FY2019, mainly due to Sojitz’s acquisition of an overseas paper manufacturing company in FY2018. The data for FY2018 does not include the overseas paper manufacturing company acquired in that year.
Note 2: Due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the data for the period ended March 2020 was initially limited to 14 domestic and overseas consolidated subsidiaries with the highest emissions. However, we have finished calculating the emissions for the remaining companies and have restated our emissions totals.
Paper Consumption
A) Sojitz Corporation’s Paper Usage
1) Data and Results (FY2016-FY2020)
2) Scope of Data
- ◆Sojitz Corporation: (Head office, satellite office, Osaka Office)