Biodiversity Preservation
The Nippon Shokubai Group believes biodiversity preservation is a key issue in efforts toward sustainability based on the realization that all business activities both benefit from and impact biodiversity. One of our Environmental Protection Policies is to seek to minimize the negative impact of our business activities and develop products and technologies that contribute to increasing the positive impacts on ecosystems in an effort to conserve and restore biodiversity, which we believe we can accomplish by sustaining efforts to tackle climate change, conserve the environment through our products, control chemical substances, reduce waste, prevent air pollution, and conserve water resources.
We have also enjoyed the cooperation of local governments, NPOs, and other organizations in implementing volunteer activities by Nippon Shokubai Group employees to protect and restore natural environments in Japan and other countries. Through these activities, we learn the value of preserving and restoring biodiversity and aim to empower people to conceive of and take actions to help the environment.
Biodiversity Risk Assessment
We conducted a survey on the proximity of major production sites of the Nippon Shokubai Group to protected biodiversity areas located within a 3 km radius by using the Integrated Biodiversity Assessment Tool (IBAT*1).
The survey has confirmed that all production sites are not in close proximity to IUCN Category*2 Ia, Ib, II, or III areas (required to be strictly protected), World Heritage Sites,*3 or Ramsar Convention Wetlands.*4 However, IUCN Category IV, V, and VI areas have been found adjacent to many of the production sites (see attached table).
Fully aware of such an environment, we will continue to work to minimize the negative impact of our business activities on the ecosystem and strive to preserve biodiversity.
*1 IBAT(Integrated Biodiversity Assessment Tool): developed and provided through a partnership of BirdLife International, Conservation International, International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), and United Nations Environment World Conservation Monitoring Centre (UNEP-WCMC).
*2 IUCN Categories: IUCN Protected Area Management Categories are assigned to legally protected areas by national government agencies to allow international comparison between national protected area networks, based on management objectives of a protected area. Ia – Strict Nature Reserve; Ib – Wilderness Area; II – National Park; III – Natural Monument or Feature; IV – Habitat/Species Management Area; V – Protected Landscape/Seascape; VI – Protected Area with Sustainable Use of Natural Resources
*3 World Heritage: A landmark or area which is selected by the UNESCO as having cultural, historical, scientific or other form of significance, and is legally protected by international treaties. The sites are judged important to the collective interests of humanity.
*4 Ramsar Wetlands: protected by national governments to fulfil their obligations under the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance (commonly called the “Ramsar Convention”).
Activities for Biodiversity Preservation and Restoration
Forest conservation activities
Creating the “Yugawara Myriad Leaves Forest”
Location: Kajiya, Yugawara-machi, Ashigarashimo-gun, Kanagawa Prefecture
Description of activities: Forest maintenance, nature observation events, etc.
Duration: Since November 2013
We have implemented forest maintenance and held nature observation events in the headwater forest of the Niizaki River in the town of Yugawara. In November 2023, we hold the 10th anniversary event in the forest with Yugawara town hall staff, our outsourcing of our forest organization, and our employee. We enjoyed making tokens with leaves and cutting cedar tree branches.
Past activities
Click here for the Past Activities.
PT. NIPPON SHOKUBAI INDONESIA “Tree-Planting” in a Biodiversity Park
Location: Ciomas, Serang, Banten Province, Republic of Indonesia
Description of activities: Tree-planting in 10 ha area in Ciomas
Duration: Since November 2023
PT. NIPPON SHOKUBAI INDONESIA has started a new activity “Tree-planting” in a Biodiversity Park in Ciomas, Serang, Banten, Indonesia with the help of a local non governmental organization (NGO: named “Rekonvasi Bhumi”) and Cisitu Village Community. We recognize that conserving water sources in the region where we are located as well as preserving biodiversity are important efforts for our sustainability initiatives.
We held an opening ceremony on “Indonesian Tree Planting Day 2023″ (November 28), attended by members of the Banten Provincial Environmental Agency, local forest conservation groups, and others.
“Nojigiku” (Chrysanthemum Japonense) preservation and popularization
To rescue, preserve, and popularize the nojigiku (Chrysanthemum japonense)—the endangered prefectural flower of Hyogo—the Himeji Plant has dedicated roughly 2,000 m2 of its greenery yard to cultivating 160 varieties of the flower (including foundation stocks).
The plant began cultivating the flowers in 1972, and has worked with the Hyogo prefectural government to distribute seedlings each year since 1974.
In FY2022, we distributed 23,000 seedlings to 303 organizations, including local governments, kindergartens, elementary and junior high schools and community associations.
