Environment Biodiversity Initiatives
The Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Group recognizes that the sound maintenance and preservation of biodiversity is essential to the pursuit of sustainable business, and works with the Mitsubishi Chemical Group (the MCG Group) to maintain and preserve biodiversity through a wide range of activities such as reducing environmental impact, promoting appropriate usage of inherited resources, fostering harmonious coexistence with nature and society, and raising awareness within the Company. Furthermore, we have set targets for biodiversity preservation in the Medium-Term Environmental Action 21-25, and are working to achieve them.
Relationship between Business Activities and Biodiversity
It is important to understand the relationship between business activities and biodiversity and work to preserve it. To that end, the Group strives to understand its environmental impact in the value chain in terms of both its use of resources (IN) and its discharge of waste and by-products (OUT). We are deepening our understanding of our impact and dependence on the biodiversity of business. In addition, we monitor waste and by-product emissions, evaluating these in conjunction with the MOS index*.
- *An index that identifies important issues for the MCG Group to address, sets goals for the issues identified, and measures associated progress
https://www.mcgc.com/english/sustainability/kpi.html
Activities to Preserve Biodiversity and the Natural Environment
To understand the importance of biodiversity and the natural environment and preserve them, the Group has participated in Tokyo Greenship Action*1 and the Ikoma Mountain Range “Folding Screen of Flowers” Project,*2 and since fiscal 2022 has been engaged in activities as an MCG Group initiative and encouraging employees to participate.
These activities promote awareness towards protecting the national environment, and serve as an opportunity to facilitate communication within the Group.
Initiatives in fiscal 2023
- Tokyo Greenship Action
In September 2023, 34 employees and members of their families volunteered to help with rice harvesting in the Hachioji Takayama Satoyama Conservation Area, which is located in Hachioji City, Tokyo. - The Ikoma Mountain Range “Folding Screen of Flowers” Project
In October 2023, 48 employees and members of their families participated in tree-planting and cleanup activities while hiking Mount Iimori in Daito City, Osaka Prefecture.
- *1Activities to conserve the natural environment conducted by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government in collaboration with companies and the NPO Shizen Kankyo Academy in a woodland conservation area. We have been participating in these activities since 2006.
- *2Environmental event held by Osaka Prefecture that we have been participating in since 2009.
Additionally, as part of activities to conserve tropical rainforests in Indonesia, Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Indonesia participated in the “Arkhim Reforestation 2024” project to plant trees and reforest a forest reserve in West Java Province. In addition to donating 500 Sumatran pine and other saplings, 25 employees engaged in tree planting and reforestation areas in the protected area.
We also support mangrove planting efforts in a coastal conservation area of North Jakarta, as well as donations to support reforestation.
*Although Indonesia is home to vast areas of forest, they are in ongoing decline. As trees are cut down there is less forest available to absorb large amounts of carbon dioxide, resulting in climate change.
Campaign to Promote Environmental Conservation Activities
To further promote biodiversity conservation activities, we have conducted a campaign to promote environmental conservation activities since fiscal 2017. In this campaign, we distributed the Company’s original towel scarf on which "For the Environment" was printed to participants and all employees who worked together to promote environmental conservation activities. Through clean-up activities, we are working to beautify the town and prevent environmental pollution by removing plastics and other waste that had been swept out to the ocean.
- 44th clean operation (Yoshitomi Plant)
- As part of its contribution to the local community, the Yoshitomi Plant continues to conduct “clean operation” every year. In fiscal 2023, 150 people cleaned up the area around the office, collecting combustibles including plastic bottles, other bottles, and glass.
- Chosen as a partner company for the Local Blue Ocean Vision in 2023
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The Ministry of the Environment promotes the Local Blue Ocean Vision project as a way of recognizing and encouraging businesses that can serve as a model for measures taken in cooperation with companies and local governments to collect marine litter and prevent it from occurring, with the goal of further promoting measures to address marine litter in Japan. Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma’s Yoshitomi Plant was chosen as a partner enterprise for the town of Yoshitomi.
The Seaplus Class was held on December 9, 2023 as part of these promotional efforts. For this class we obtained the cooperation of local businesses in the neighborhood to help us in allowing large numbers of children to experience coastal cleanups, social studies trips to waste disposal centers, and upcycling workshops using PET bottle caps from marine litter. This event proved to be a valuable change for children to think about what they can do for their own futures.Conversely, we adults must engage in effective, sustainable efforts to pass on an abundant natural world to future generations.
By continuing to participate actively in community and social activities in the region, the Yoshitomi Plant will further strengthen ties with the region, with the goal of improving business value and achieving a sustainable society.