Environment
Environmental Management
Policies and Basic Approach
Mitsui & Co. has established, maintains, and operates an Environmental Management System based on our Environmental Policy, ISO14001 and various international guidelines, as the basis for our work to resolve environmental issues in the course of conducting our group business activities in countries and regions around the world.
In order to promote initiatives to conserve the global environment in our business activities, we will provide training and development opportunities for our employees and officers to enhance their ability to understand and act in accordance with our Environmental Policy. In addition, we will fulfill our accountability to society by proactively reporting our efforts and progress on addressing environmental issues.
Environmental Policy
We will work to resolve environmental issues through our group business activities in countries and regions around the world, in accordance with our Sustainability Policy and this Policy.
We also expect various stakeholders, including our business partners, to understand and address environmental issues in accordance with this Policy, and aim to collaboratively achieve harmony with the environment.
- Compliance with Relevant Environmental Laws and Regulations
- In pursuing our business activities, we will comply with relevant environmental laws and regulations, international standards and other such agreements made by our company.
- Environmental Issues Related to Business Activities
- Climate Change
We will act to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and also work to mitigate and adapt to climate change by pursuing businesses that contribute to the transition to a decarbonized society and to reducing the negative impacts of climate change. - Water Resources
We will work to conserve water resources by reducing water consumption and improving the efficiency of water resource use. - Biodiversity
We will assess the environmental impact of our business activities and work to conserve biodiversity. - Pollution Prevention
We will act to reduce hazardous waste and pollutants and ensure the proper handling of any such materials, and strive to prevent air, water and soil pollution. - Sustainable Resource Use
We will improve efficiency in the use of resources and energy and reduce waste. By pursuing business in the circular economy, we will work to achieve economic growth while reducing our burden on the environment. - Technology Development and Business Creation to Reduce Environmental Impact
We will develop and promote technologies and new businesses that reduce environmental impact.
- Construction of Environmental Management System
- We will set environmental targets, build a robust environmental management system to achieve them, and pursue continuous improvement and appropriate governance through periodic review.
- Stakeholder Engagement
- We will place importance on stakeholder dialogue, and appropriately address environmental issues relevant to our business activities.
- Remedy
- We will use appropriate processes to remedy environmental impacts found to have arisen from our business activities or relevant supply chains.
- Education and Training
- We will provide training and development opportunities for our employees and officers to enhance their ability to understand and act in accordance with this Policy.
- Reporting
- We will continuously report our efforts and progress on addressing environmental issues through our reports, websites, and other communication channels.
Formulated in 1998
Revised in February 2022
Makoto Sato
Representative Director, Senior Executive Managing Officer,
Chief Strategy Officer (CSO),
Chairperson of the Sustainability Committee
Goals and Targets
Targets and Progress
| Period | Targets | Results |
|---|---|---|
| FY Mar/2023 |
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| FY Mar/2022 |
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| FY Mar/2021 |
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Sustainability Governance and Oversight
Sustainability Committee
The Sustainability Committee works under the Corporate Management Committee to plan, formulate and provide proposals on basic management policies, business activities, and corporate policies and strategies related to environmental management.
The Sustainability Committee is structured so that its activities are appropriately supervised by the Board of Directors, and matters discussed by the Sustainability Committee are regularly discussed and reported to the Corporate Management Committee and the Board of Directors.
| Officer in Charge | Makoto Sato (Representative Director, Senior Executive Managing Officer, Chief Strategy Officer (CSO), Chairperson of the Sustainability Committee) |
|---|---|
| Administrative Office | Corporate Sustainability Div., Corporate Planning & Strategy Div. |
Please refer to the links below for more information on Mitsui’s Sustainability Management Framework and the activities of the Sustainability Committee.
Environmental Management System
We set environmental targets under our Environmental Policy and conduct periodic reviews of the progress and processes. In conducting these reviews, we have introduced an Environmental Management System (EMS) based on ISO14001, and are striving for continual improvement. Through this system, we aim to comply with environmental laws and regulations, prevent environmental risks including those related to climate change, and promote environmental conservation-oriented business. Specifically, in order to recognize the impact that our business activities may have on the global environment and to prevent environmental risks, we have established a system to assess the impact of both existing businesses and new business investments, and consider countermeasures. In addition, the system is operated and managed by implementing the PDCA cycle, which involves evaluating and analyzing the progress toward the set goals and reviewing the plan.
Global Group's Status of Acquisition of ISO 14001 Certifications
Mitsui maintains an environmental management system based on ISO14001 and various international guidelines as the basis for an active response to environmental and societal problems through the business activities of its global group. We acquired ISO14001 certification in 1999. We undertook a Maintenance audit in November 2022 and the latest certification is valid through February 22, 2026.
Standards Covered
ISO14001, ISO26000, the GRI Standards, the Equator Principles, the World Bank Procurement Policies and Guidelines, and the IUCN guidelines
External Audit
Every year, ISO14001 certification audit is carried out by Japan Quality Assurance Organization (JQA). Since acquiring certification, we have undertaken annual audit in a three-year cycle: Maintenance audits in the first and second years, and a renewal audit in the third year. We undertook a maintenance audit in the fiscal year ended March 2022, for which we successfully maintained certification.
Internal Environmental Audit
Every year, we hold an internal environmental audit based on ISO14001. As part of this audit, we have designated 19 departments as high priority and 10 departments for low priority. The designations were decided based on the prioritized management criteria in consideration of environment-related laws and regulations and in accordance with the amount of environmental/social risk and the business content. In the fiscal year ended March 2022, we carried out internal environmental audits at 21 departments - all 19 high priority departments and two departments selected from the low priority departments. No non-conforming matters or matters requiring improvement were identified, and we confirmed that the environmental management system is being properly operated. As part of internal environmental audits, the Corporate Sustainability Division works alongside the Sustainability Promotion Officers at each department to verify and appraise each department's legal compliance, progress with targets, level of contribution, and processes, and to link this to ongoing improvements and further improvements to the environmental management system.
Management of Global Group Subsidiaries
Based on comprehensive assessments that take into account such factors as the type of industry and impacts on the environment and ecosystem, we have selected 32 key subsidiaries from among our consolidated subsidiaries that need environmental priority management, from a total of 364 target companies. We encourage these companies to acquire international standard ISO 14001 or introduce environmental management systems in accordance with international guidelines, and promote the establishment of reliable management systems. As of the end of March 2022, out of the 32 priority subsidiaries, 9 have acquired ISO14001 certification.
Response to Environmental Accidents
During the fiscal year ended March 2022, there were no environment-related incidents at Mitsui (non-consolidated) and its consolidated subsidiaries in Japan and overseas.
Any accident is promptly reported to the relevant units, and comprehensive steps are taken to prevent recurrence, beginning with the identification of the actual cause of the accident and an assessment to determine appropriate corrective and preventive measures.
ESG Risk Management
In conducting business, we have put in place a system to ensure that utmost consideration is given to the environment and society in projects at all stages, including at the launch of a new business, during operations, and even during the exit stage. In regard to environmental and social risks, including climate-related risks, the Sustainability Committee discusses policies and measures to deal with such risks and implements them after reporting to and receiving approval from the Management Committee and the Board of Directors.
ESG Risk Management: Process of Managing Environmental and Societal Risks
Environmental Accounting
- Climate change risk mitigation costs: Industrial waste recycling cost at Head Office: 20 million in Japanese Yen (FY Mar/2022)
- Research and Development expenses for climate change risk mitigation (Grants for the establishment of an evaluation method for supporting measures to strengthen reporting ability of climate change in developing countries): 4.1 million in Japanese Yen (FY Mar/2019 - FY Mar/2022)
Initiatives
Compliance with Environment-Related Laws and Regulations
Our efforts to meet our corporate social responsibilities and keep pace with the expansion of those responsibilities include the creation of compliance assurance mechanisms based on our environmental management system. We also use training programs and other methods to ensure that our employees understand and comply with various environmental laws and regulations in Japan and overseas.
At the start of each fiscal year, officers at each department identify environment-related laws and regulations that are relevant to the operations of their units, and conduct a compliance assessment every half year. In addition, an internal environmental audit or environmental self-check process is carried out every year to confirm that environmental management systems are being applied effectively. Mitsui and its subsidiaries whose activities could have significant environmental impacts, have acquired certification under ISO14001 or equivalent standards, establishing secure and effective environmental law compliance mechanisms.
During the fiscal year ended March 2022, there were no reports of violations of environmental laws and regulations. There were also no major penalties or non-monetary sanctions imposed on our organization for violations of environmental laws and regulations.
Energy Conservation Law
From the viewpoint of compliance and environmental conservation, we abide by the Energy Conservation Law (Act on Rationalizing Energy Use), and conduct environment-minded business activities through promotion of energy conservation in offices and energy usage improvement related to transportation.
Waste Disposal Law
Mitsui operates in compliance with the Waste Management and Public Cleansing Law (also referred to as the "Waste Disposal Law" or "Waste Law"). In order to properly manage the disposal of industrial waste generated through logistics operations and general waste from business activities, we have formulated a workflow in connection with the handling of industrial waste and general waste from business activities and prepared FAQ documents. Such tools and documents are utilized by relevant divisions and departments. We also hold periodic internal seminars to increase awareness and understanding of proper waste disposal practices, covering such matters as the selection of waste management subcontractors and manifest compilation and management.
Other Major Environmental Laws and Regulations
In promoting business activities, we comply with various environmental laws and regulations which includes, but not limited to, the following:
Act on Special Measures Concerning Promotion of Proper Treatment of PCB Wastes/Act on Rational Use and Proper Management of Fluorocarbons/Water Pollution Prevention Act/Soil Contamination Countermeasures Act/Act on the Promotion of Sorted Collection and Recycling of Containers and Packaging/Act on Promotion of Recycling and Related Activities for Treatment of Cyclical Food Resources/Air Pollution Control Act/Offensive Odor Control Law/Poisonous and Deleterious Substances Control Act/Fire Service Act/Industrial Safety and Health Act/REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals) regulations
Environment-Related Training
As we work to accelerate environmental initiatives across the global group, it is vital that we raise the environmental awareness of each of our officers and employees at all levels. Through initiatives such as holding regular seminars and environment law training sessions, we work to raise awareness of environmental issues among officers and employees of Mitsui, its subsidiaries, and its affiliated companies. Furthermore, we also work on initiatives to gain specialized knowledge through ISO14001 Provisional Auditor Training and other programs.
Lectures and Training Seminars Held in FY Mar/2022
| Title | Number of Attendees | Target Audience |
|---|---|---|
| E-learning Training Seminars on Environmental Laws and Regulations | Approx. 360 | Officers and employees of Mitsui and affiliated companies |
| Online seminar on the Waste Disposal Law | Approx. 350 | Officers and employees of Mitsui and affiliated companies |
| Training on business laws and specific environmental issues: Chemicals Business Laws/Waste Management and Public Cleansing Act (seven times) |
Approx. 1,720 | Officers and employees of Mitsui and affiliated companies |
Green Procurement
With regard to our office activities, we have been carrying out initiatives on a non-consolidated basis to promote carbon neutral electricity consumption and reduction of paper consumption and waste emissions through the use of containers with a low environmental impact, and will continue to promote green procurement.
Making Electricity Use Carbon Neutral across All Business Locations in Japan (Using Renewable Energy-Derived Credits)
As one of the concrete measures aimed at realizing our 2050 vision, all power supplied to our new Head Office, which we relocated to in May 2020, is carbon neutral. This has been achieved by mainly procuring energy from the Fukushima Natural Gas Power Plant (Shinchi, Soma, Fukushima Prefecture), a facility which has Mitsui as one of its main investors, and by applying renewable energy-derived credits generated by the biomass power generation of our affiliate company Konan Utility Co., Ltd. ("Konan Utility"). We have also applied credits generated by Konan Utility and Mitsui's Forests to the electricity used in all offices and training centers in Japan, enabling us to make all business locations in Japan carbon neutral.
Use of Containers, Packaging Materials and Office Products with Low Environmental Impact Based on Life Cycle Assessment
Since the relocation to the new Head Office in May 2020, we have been using the life cycle assessment to ensure that containers and packaging used at the employee cafeteria and cafe have a low environmental impact. Paper cups with an original, environmentally conscious design are used for all takeaway drink containers. They have been designed so that even cold beverages can be enjoyed without using a straw. For utensils, we use biodegradable plastic developed in collaboration with an affiliated company. Products such as disposable chopsticks and chopstick stands are made using wood materials from the thinned sections of FSC® -certified wood (FSC®-C057355) from our company-owned forests "Mitsui's Forests", which had previously gone unused. For example, at the cafe corners located within work areas, we supply grab-and-go style green tea in cartons with an original design (cylindrical paper containers) made from Japanese wood and thinned wood materials. In addition, we refrain from using disposable containers for the drink delivery service used to supply meeting rooms, etc. Through these kinds of initiatives, we have made efforts to reduce our impact on the environment regarding both use and disposal.
We also have been promoting the reduction of paper usage in our office products. We have used recycled paper in order to reduce the burden on the supply of raw materials. In addition, we have made double-sided printing as the default setting for all copiers and been promoting paperless office, which has resulted in a downward trend in the amount of paper consumption intensity per employee at Headquarters and all offices in Japan.
