Biodiversity
1. Policy and Basic Approach
Sojitz handles food resources, marine resources, forest products, and the company’s business activities also span resource development and plant construction. We therefore recognize the importance of protecting and maintaining biodiversity that supports the ecosystems of the forests, oceans, and rivers that serve as the processing sites, mining sites, or places of origin for products.
In recent years, corporate biodiversity initiatives have received growing international attention. At the same time, stakeholders’ expectations for Sojitz have increased, and Sojitz sees conserving biodiversity as essential for sustainable business management and raising its corporate value as the Sojitz Group.
Sojitz Group has set initiatives for protecting biodiversity as one of its Materiality(Key Sustainability Issues) under “Environment” and included the preservation of biodiversity in its Sojitz Group Environmental Policy.
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Biodiversity issues vary in severity depending on the region and sector, and Sojitz establishes policies to specifically target businesses in regions and sectors with biodiversity-related risks.
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2. Goals and Targets
2-1. Overall Target
By preserving biodiversity, we will strive to minimize the environmental burden of our businesses.
2-2. Specific Targets
2-2-1. Wood Procurement Initiatives
Sojitz Group recognizes various issues regarding imported wood, such as threats to biodiversity in certain areas. We are working together with each supplier to monitor and improve the legality of logging practices as well as promote consideration for the environment and society in areas where logging takes place, as outlined in the Sojitz Wood Procurement Policy. For specific targets and performance results, please refer to “5. Performance.”
3. Systems
3-1. Systems for Enacting Corporate Sustainability
For information on the implementation of our policies and targets, please see:
3-2. Risk Management
3-2-1. New Business
For new investment and financing projects, the submitting department is required to complete an “Environmental and Social Risk Checklist.”
Based on this checklist, the department conducts due diligence on environmental and social risks, including climate change, human rights, and biodiversity, and ensures that appropriate mitigation measures are identified and properly addressed.
3-2-2. Existing businesses
The Company has established an Environmental Management System (EMS) based on ISO 14001, with the President serving as the highest responsible officer. The EMS aims to ensure the effective implementation of environmental policies, enhance employee awareness, strengthen risk management (including regulatory compliance), and facilitate effective communication with stakeholders.
Under the EMS, management first sets company-wide policies, taking into account external trends, internal issues, and the risks and opportunities relevant to the Company. Based on these, each department establishes environmental targets aligned with such policies and identified risks and opportunities. Management monitors progress, and through internal environmental audits and third-party audits, promotes continuous improvement across all departments in accordance with the PDCA cycle.
In addition, the Company identifies business areas within the Sojitz Group that are associated with high environmental and social risks, and conducts assessments of response measures across the entire supply chain, including group companies and suppliers.
4. Initiatives
4-1. Environmental Protection and Social Contribution Initiatives in Mine Development and Operating Businesses
In mine development and operation businesses, Sojitz gives due consideration to environmental protection, health and safety management, and contribution to local communities. Mine development entails various risks, but we proceed with projects only after internally verifying that sufficient pollution and accident prevention measures are in place, which allows us to prevent risks before they materialize. Even after the mine is in operation, we work to ensure that mines are continuously operated with thorough safety and health management processes. We also strive to reduce environmental impact and promote environmental conservation through measures such as mine rehabilitation for all mines as necessary.
For example, at a Sojitz-owned open-cut coal mine in Australia we keep the topsoil that is removed for mining and use it after the mining is finished to cover up the mined area. We then work to restore the land to its original condition by planting new native vegetation. In addition, we carry out a range of social contribution activities with a focus on realizing a sustainable coexistence with surrounding communities.
In addition, Sojitz manages and operates Meteor Downs South Coal Mine in Australia, where it secures habitats both on-site and in part of the surrounding area for rare flora and fauna such as squatter pigeons that could potentially be affected by mining activities. Sojitz conducts all conservation activities in accordance with related laws and regulations and in line with approved conservation plans.
4-2. Bluefin Tuna Aquaculture Business
Sojitz established Sojitz Tuna Farm Takashima in 2008 in Takashima-cho, Matsuura City, Nagasaki Prefecture. Sojitz has since been engaged in the bluefin tuna farming business.
4-2-1. Sojitz Obtains SCSA Certification for Artificial Seedlings
SCSA certification is granted for producers of sustainable seedlings. Sojitz Tuna Farm Takashima has acquired SCSA certification, which ensures traceability of all the tuna shipped by the subsidiary as entirely artificially cultured tuna. Additionally, tuna farming that uses artificial seedlings can help to protect marine resources such as bluefin tuna as shortages have posed an issue in recent years.
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4-2-2. Training Future Leaders through Sojitz’s Tuna Farm Aquaculture Business
Since May 2021, Sojitz has used its tuna farming business to provide students from Kyoritsu Women’s University and Tokyo Kasei University with an opportunity to learn about aquaculture and to experience the business environment firsthand as part of an effort to help train the next generation of professionals and leaders.
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Educational activities for university students
(from an online lecture for students from Kyoritsu Women’s University) -
Elementary school students observe tuna processing
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4-3. Marine Products (Fisheries) Certification
4-3-1. MSC Certification
Sojitz Food Corporation, TRY Inc., The Marine Foods Corporation and Dalian Global Food Corporation of Sojitz Group that handle marine products have acquired the MSC's CoC Standard.
MSC：The Marine Stewardship Council. An international non-profit organization that seeks the expansion of sustainable and appropriate fishery management practices in order to preserve marine resources for future generations, through its certification system and labeling program.
CoC：Chain of Custody. A certification recognizing proper controls of certified fishery products and the elimination of products from non-certified fisheries, ensuring traceability of certified fishery products throughout the entirety of the production, processing, and distribution process.
4-4. Environmental Education and Training
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In order to improve employee understanding of environmental issues and of Sojitz’s Environmental Management System (EMS), Sojitz holds environmental trainings twice a year for all employees and for the designated environmental managers within each organization. In addition, Sojitz offers other learning opportunities including trainings for internal environmental audit personnel and an e-learning course on waste management laws that is available to all employees. Environmental information is also provided to employees through the company intranet.
Sojitz encourages employees to take the Certification Test for Environmental Specialists (Eco Test), a certification test administered by the Tokyo Chamber of Commerce and Industry. In addition, Sojitz holds riverside cleanup events along the Arakawa River for Sojitz Group employees and their families. This initiative aims to foster a culture of volunteering among employees and offer an opportunity to reflect on key environmental issues such as marine waste, microplastics, and the importance of conserving biodiversity.
After the cleanup events, Sojitz holds a follow-up workshop where employees can make accessories using the microplastics collected on the riverside. This hands-on activity encourages employees to consider the impact that environmental issues have on daily life.
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4-5. Collaboration with Our Stakeholders
4-5-1. Participation in TNFD（Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures）
Sojitz participates in the forum held by Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD), which is an international organization established in June 2021 with the aim of assessing and disclosing biodiversity-related risks and opportunities for corporations and financial institutions.
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4-5-2. Endorsement of the Declaration of Biodiversity by Keidanren and Action Policy
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Sojitz expresses its support for Keidanren (Japan Business Federation) and Keidanren Committee on Nature Conservation’s Declaration of Biodiversity by Keidanren and Action Policy, which was revised in October 2018.
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4-5-3. Participation in CDP Forests
Sojitz responds to the Forests questionnaire administered by CDP which evaluates forest management in the supply chains of companies. CDP is a non-profit organization that collects data from major companies across the world regarding their environmental strategies such as climate change-related initiatives. As a result of the 2025 questionnaire, Sojitz received a high score of management level (B) in Forests (timber).
4-6. Complying with TNFD
Sojitz endorsed the TNFD in 2023 and has registered as a TNFD Adopter in September 2025. Sojitz Group utilizes the framework provided by the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD)* with the aim of actively disclosing information on nature related risks and opportunities.
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*Taskforce on Nature related Financial Disclosures (TNFD): A global initiative established by organizations including the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) as a framework for organizations to disclose nature related risks and opportunities to investors and the market.
5. Performance
5-1. Wood Procurement Initiatives
For wood procured (imported) from overseas, Sojitz Group evaluates procurement by classifying wood into the following four levels based on 1) traceability back to the place of origin and 2) suitability of forest management (whether the forest is subject to environmentally/socially-conscious forest management). We set targets for wood procurement using procurement ratios as key indicators.
Level A：Wood confirmed to be certified wood (*)
Level B：Wood which has not been certified, but for which we have verified both traceability and suitability of forest management (i.e., that the forest is subject to environmentally/socially conscious forest management)
Level C：Traceable wood
Level D：Wood lacking traceability
*：Wood certified under FSC®, PEFC, etc.
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