Participation in Initiatives
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Toward the Realization of a World Where No One is Left Behind
Endorsement of the United Nations Global Compact
In December 2008, Konica Minolta signed the United Nations Global Compact and became a member of the Global Compact Japan Network. The Global Compact identifies ten universal principles in the four areas of human rights, labor, the environment, and anti-corruption, and requires companies around the world to continue their efforts to realize these principles.
Response to Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD)
Konica Minolta believes that accurately assessing the risks and opportunities related to climate in its business operations and actively disclosing information to investors and a wide range of other stakeholders is essential for a company capable of sustainable growth. In light of this, Konica Minolta agreed to support the final report “Recommendations of the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures” of the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD), established by the G20 Financial Stability Board (FSB).
The Group discloses its climate change initiatives using the TCFD framework and has engaged in dialogues with investors and financial institutions at TCFD Consortium Roundtables. The Group has been an original member of the TCFD Consortium,since its inception in 2019.
However, TCFD completed its mission and was disbanded upon the release of its status report on October 12, 2023.
Compliance with the Task Force on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD) Framework
To clarify its stance on the dependency and impact of its business on natural capital, its assessment of such, and its commitment to addressing opportunities and risks, Konica Minolta supports the principles and recommendations of the Task Force on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD). In January 2024, Konica Minolta registered as a TNFD early adopter company at the World Economic Forum’s Annual Meeting in Davos, Switzerland. The Company is also a member of the TNFD Forum, an organization that supports the TNFD Task Force. It has assessed the dependency and impact of its business on natural capital and has disclosed it in accordance with the TNFD framework.
Toward the Realization of the Paris Agreement
In participating in each initiative, Konica Minolta's Group Environmental Officer, appointed by the President, determines whether the initiative is consistent with the environmental policy and climate change initiatives, and whether it aligns with the Paris Agreement, reporting to the President.
Participation in Japan Climate Initiative to Achieve Paris Agreement
The Japan Climate Initiative (JCI) is a platform where companies, local governments, NGOs, and other organizations participate with the aim of achieving a decarbonized society. Konica Minolta joined as an initial member when the JCI was established in July 2018. At JCI's Japan Climate Action Summit 2019, the Group Environmental Officer participated in a panel discussion, speaking as a representative of approach towards a decarbonized society was described as part of its goal of achieving Carbon Minus status worldwide, where society and customers contribute more to emissions reductions (reductions outside of Scope 1, 2 and 3) than the emissions directly related to the Company’s products and operations (Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions).
In April 2023, Konica Minolta announced through JCI its call for the Japanese government to accelerate the introduction of renewable energy and to implement effective carbon pricing as soon as possible.
Further, in December, we called on the Japanese government to simultaneously achieve its 2030 GHG emissions reduction target and strengthen its international competitiveness. In 2024, Konica Minolta endorsed the JCI message calling on the Japanese government to set an ambitious target for 2035 that is consistent with the 1.5°C target.
<JCI message>
- The Japanese government to raise its renewable energy share to 40-50% in its 2030 electricity mix
- JCI Comment on Japan’s new GHG target by 2030
- Now is the time to accelerate renewable energy deployment
- Towards the achievement of the 2030 GHG emission reduction target and increased international competitiveness
- Call for an ambitious 2035 target that is consistent with the 1.5°C goal
As one of a diverse group of non-state actors, Konica Minolta promises to put itself at the forefront of global endeavors to achieve the decarbonized society sought by the Paris Agreement.
Participation in RE100, Which Aims to Run Businesses with 100% Renewable Energy
Konica Minolta joined RE100, a global leadership initiative operated by The Climate Group, an international NGO that promotes decarbonization with the aim of achieving the goals of the Paris Agreement.
Konica Minolta aims to procure 100% of the power used in its own business activities from renewable energy sources by 2050. By doing so, Konica Minolta will accelerate its efforts to achieve Eco Vision 2050 while also helping to reduce global CO2 emissions by expanding the use of renewable energy.
As a medium-term step toward achievement of its long-term goal, Konica Minolta set a target of increasing the utilization rate of electricity derived from renewable energy to more than 50% by 2030. The Group will start reviewing its power procurement contracts one by one at production sites and sales sites, starting with countries and regions where renewable energy power is relatively widespread, and switch over to renewable energy, beginning with those sites where it is possible.
In February 2024, the Climate Group, organizer of RE100, and 75 RE100 participating companies gathered for the 2024 RE100 Members Meeting to discuss the direction of Localized Policy Messages (LPMs), which present challenges and solutions for the spread of renewable energy in Japan, and Policy Engagement Plan (PEP), which deliver these messages to policymakers. Konica Minolta participated as a member company.
Going forward, Konica Minolta will continue to look for the most suitable methods for each region worldwide and will step up efforts to expand the procurement of renewable power.
For more details:
Activities Intended to Spread Renewable Electricity [RE-Users]
In June 2023, Konica Minolta announced through the Renewable Energy Institute its policy proposals regarding issues and solutions for spreading renewable electricity in Japan.
<RE-Users policy proposal>
CO2 Reduction Target Approved by the SBT Initiative
In 2017, Konica Minolta set an interim CO2 emissions reduction target to “reduce CO2 emissions throughout the product lifecycle by 60% by 2030 from fiscal 2005 levels” by backcasting from its long-term vision.
This target was approved as a science-based target by the international SBT Initiative*, an international initiative to promote sustainable companies in conformity with the Paris Agreement. In March 2023, Konica Minolta announced that it would increase its reduction target to 70%, consistent with the scientific scenarios that limit this target to below 1.5°C. In 2024, based on its SBT Net Zero Pledge, the Company submitted a new target to the SBT Initiative that is consistent with the latest science.
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- SBT Initiative: Jointly established in 2015 by CDP (formerly the Carbon Disclosure Project), the United Nations Global Compact, the World Resources Institute (WRI), and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF). The SBT Initiative’s aim is to promote the achievement of science-based targets (SBTs) for greenhouse gas emissions reduction, in order to keep the increase in global average temperature to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels.
Participation in the Race to Zero Campaign
Konica Minolta is participating in the Race to Zero campaign launched on World Environment Day 2020 (June 5) by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
As a non-state actor, we seek to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by not later than 2050, and cut them in half by 2030.
Participating in the “Challenge Zero” Initiative of Japan Business Federation (Nippon Keidanren)
Konica Minolta endorses Nippon Keidanren’s Declaration on “Challenge Zero.”* The Group participates by sharing specific information on how it is innovating to meet ambitious goals that will apply4 to a carbon-free Japan. By actively striving to develop net-zero emissions technology and fostering an upward spiral of environmental protection and business growth, the Group aims to contribute to achieving Keidanren’s “Society 5.0 for SDGs” initiative, which aims to solve social issues through innovation.
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- Challenge Zero (Challenge Net Zero Carbon Innovation):
A new initiative launched in June 2020 by the Japan Business Federation (Keidanren), in collaboration with the Japanese government. It aims to proactively publicize and support innovative action taken by companies and organizations to help build the decarbonized society which is the long-term goal of the Paris Agreement (the international framework on climate change).
Achieving Net-Zero Plastic-Related CO2 Emissions in Multi-functional peripherals with Material Technologies That Use Biomass-Derived and Waste Resources
Konica Minolta aims to achieve net-zero plastic-related CO2 emissions from its Multi-functional peripherals (MFPs) by developing even more advanced technologies for recycling waste materials as high-performance materials. The use of biomass-derived materials and waste materials to create high-performance materials for MFPs and other devices generally faces an uphill climb: performance is typically lower and ensuring consistent product quality is more difficult than when using virgin materials made from petroleum. The company’s technologies make it possible to utilize biomass-derived materials instead of the petroleum-based materials typically used in MFPs and consumables such as toner. Konica Minolta is developing new types of plastics that solve these problems, leveraging its years of experience with original material and molding technologies, and combining material development, material selection and processing technology.
Practical application of these technologies will go beyond the MFPs Konica Minolta sells. The company will also provide them via its Environmental Digital Platform, sharing them with various companies, expanding the circle of cooperation globally, and dramatically increasing the effect.
Addressing Inconsistencies in Industry Associations' Positions on Climate Change Policies
Konica Minolta actively participates in industry associations and initiatives aligned with the Company’s commitment to realizing the goals of the Paris Agreement and addressing climate change. The activities of these industry associations and initiatives, along with Konica Minolta’s stance on climate change, are regularly reviewed to ensure alignment and coherence. Any significant discrepancies between these activities and Konica Minolta’s approach are carefully assessed for consistency and compliance. If measures are found inadequate or substantial inconsistencies arise, Konica Minolta will consider withdrawing from the relevant organization or initiative.
Toward the Building of a Proper Supply Chain
Responsible Business Alliance (RBA)
Konica Minolta joined the RBA in October 2013 and has been acting as a member to strengthen its CSR procurement in the supply chain.
The RBA, which is made up of companies, including the world’s leading electronics manufacturers and their major suppliers, works to improve worker rights (human rights and working conditions), ethics, health, and safety in the supply chain.
Responsible Minerals Initiative:RMI
Konica Minolta promotes programs on responsible mineral procurement in cooperation with external organizations.
Konica Minolta is a member of RMI, which leads global initiatives on responsible mineral procurement. RMI’s Responsible Minerals Reporting Template is adopted worldwide. RMI also operates a program that certifies which smelters or refiners are conflict-free, and it operates other activities designed to promote a responsible supply chain for mineral procurement.
In Japan, Konica Minolta participates in JEITA’s Responsible Minerals Trade Working Group. This working group promotes programs on responsible mineral procurement among IT and electronics companies in Japan.
Toward the Realization of a Circular Economy
Participation in Japan Partnership for Circular Economy (J4CE)
In April 2021, Konica Minolta joined the Japan Partnership for Circular Economy (J4CE),* which was established by the Ministry of the Environment, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and the Japan Business Federation. Konica Minolta is pursuing open innovation that transcends corporate and industrial boundaries, and fostering social implementation of a circular economy by publicly declaring its commitment to ambitious challenges that will bring society closer to a cyclical economy.
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- Japan for Circular Economy (J4CE) is a platform for a decarbonized, decentralized society and circular economy established in March 2021 in a collaboration between the Ministry of the Environment, Ministry of the Economy, Trade and Industry and the Japan Business Federation.
Toward Biodiversity Conservation
Endorsement of the Initiative on Declaration of Biodiversity by Keidanren
Konica Minolta supports the Initiative on Declaration of Biodiversity by Keidanren, established by the Keidanren and the Keidanren Committee on Nature Conservation. With the aim of realizing a sustainable society, the Company is promoting efforts to address the seven items that comprise the Declaration of Biodiversity by Keidanren and Action Policy (Revised Edition).
Other
Participation in the Electrical and Electronics Industries’ “Carbon Neutrality Action Plan”
Konica Minolta is participating in the Carbon Neutrality Action Plan, an industry-wide effort to reduce global warming promoted by the Liaison Group of Japanese Electrical and Electronics Industries for Global Warming. As Phase 2 of the Action Plan, a challenge target was set to reduce CO2 emissions by about 46% from the fiscal 2013 level by 2030. To achieve this goal, we are working on reduction activities as a member company.
Publication of advocacy articles
Konica Minolta shares information on its cutting-edge environmental initiatives, such as its climate change response, with the world at summits and important international conferences.
Past advocacy articles