Under the corporate philosophy "Dedicated to Man's Fight against Disease and Pain,” ONO group contributes to the realization of a sustainable and prosperous society by creating innovative medicines and working on solving environmental issues such as climate change.

ONO has established a medium- and long-term environmental challenge vision for 2050, named “Environmental Challenge Ono Vision (ECO VISION 2050)” to realize a sustainable society.

Background for the establishment of vision

In recent years, the global environmental issues including climate change and other issues have become serious. In the future of 2050, it is expected that people's healthy and sound life will be threatened due to various threats such as water and food shortages, increase of new diseases, devastating natural disasters and so on.
In order to promote the creation of a healthy and sound society through the discovery and development of innovative pharmaceutical products under the corporate philosophy to be "Dedicated to Man's Fight against Disease and Pain", it is important that we recognize that our business activities are supported by a sound global environment and that we will strengthen our activities toward the resolution of environmental challenge. We believe that such activities are not only our corporate responsibility for the environment, but also lead to build the foundation for sustainable business activities.
We will challenge to reduce the environmental burden in anticipation of 2050 based on the ECO VISION 2050 so that people can welcome a healthy and sound society.

In order to realize “ECO VISION 2050”, we have defined three important items as "Realization of a decarbonized society," "Realization of a water recycling society," and "Realization of a resource recycling society," and in 2019, we set up specific medium- and long-term goals for greenhouse gas, water consumption and waste.

Greenhouse gas

Our medium- to long-term greenhouse gas reduction targets are classified by the SBTi as the strictest "1.5 °C target." For more information, please see here (Environmental Initiatives). As for energy, we will increase the use of renewable energy in line with the RE100 target that we joined in June 2020.

Water consumption

1. Reduce water resource consumption (water intake) per production volume unit by 15% in FY2030. <compared to FY2017>
2. Reduce water resource consumption (water intake) below the previous year. <FY target>

Waste

1. Maintain the final landfill disposal rate of industrial waste 1% or less every year.
   • * Defining the ratio of non-recycling (landfill and simple incineration) to less than 1% of the total amount as a standard of our “zero emission.”
2. Reduce the volume of industrial waste per production volume unit by 15% in FY2030. <compared to FY2017>
3. Reduce the volume of industrial waste below the previous year. <FY target>
4. Promote reductions in the environmental burden in business activities.

The realization of a decarbonized society is one of our key priorities in our business activities, and we are undertaking various company-wide initiatives toward this end. Regarding the risks and opportunities associated with climate change, we expressed our support in October 2019 for the recommendations of the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD)(click here for details). The TCFD is a task force established by the Financial Stability Board (TSB) to help companies understand and disclose the financial impact of climate change on their business. In June 2017, the TCFD announced its recommendations on how companies should detail climate-related impacts in their financial reports. In accordance with the TCFD recommendations, we will evaluate and manage climate change-related risks and opportunities and disclose information appropriately.

Governance

We appoint a member of the Board of Directors in charge of the environment as the officer responsible for climate change issues. The officer serves as the chairperson of the Environmental Management Committee, which meets at least once a quarter to discuss climate change issues. The officer, who also serves as the chairperson of the CSR Committee and a member of the Management Meeting, presents a report at least once a half year on the results of the Environmental Management Committee’s activities to the CSR Committee and the Management Meeting for discussion. The results of discussions at the CSR Committee and the Management Meeting are reported by the officer at the Board of Directors’ meeting and shared with all directors more than once a year.
In FY2019, the TCFD Study Working Group was established, with the officer in charge of the environment as its head. The Working Group considered issues related to the identification and evaluation of climate change-related risks/opportunities and countermeasures. We include the heads of major relevant departments (Finance, Corporate Strategy & Planning, and Corporate Communications) and the head of the Company-Wide Risk Management Committee as members of the Working Group, thereby integrating climate-related issues into our business strategy.

Strategy
—Analysis and evaluation of risks and opportunities related to climate change—

Analysis and evaluation of climate change-related risks and opportunities were performed using the 1.5°C and 4°C scenarios^*1, under the leadership of the TCFD Study Working Group headed by the member of the Board of Directors in charge of the environment. The analysis results found, in either scenario, no risks that would have a material financial impact on our business. We will continue to check trends in the international community and closely monitor the impact of risks and opportunities that may have a relatively material financial impact.

• For the 1.5°C scenario, the “Sustainable Development Scenario” developed by the International Energy Agency (IEA) was used; for the 4°C scenario, the RCP 8.5 scenario (one of the Representative Concentration Pathways [RCP] scenarios, where global average temperature is predicted to increase by approximately 4°C by 2100), the Stated Policies Scenario of the IEA, etc. were used.

<Risks related to climate change>

• The maximum value during the period from 2020 to 2030 in the 1.5°C or 4°C scenario (Regulatory risk is cumulative.)

<Opportunities related to climate change>

• The maximum value during the period from 2020 to 2030 in the 1.5°C or 4°C scenario (Opportunity from resource efficiency is cumulative.)

Risk and opportunity management

The risk/opportunity identification process involves identifying potential risks and opportunities and analyzing each risk and opportunity in terms of the timing and probability of occurrence and the extent of the consequences. We determine the priorities for risks comprehensively by also evaluating risk mitigation measures. We prioritize and identify risks that would have a high impact on our business, those that have a high probability of occurrence, and those whose measures have high cost effectiveness. The identified risks are managed effectively by the Environment Management Committee. Regarding disaster risks such as floods, the Company-Wide Risk Management Committee discusses and develops measures and presents them to the Management Meeting for approval. The measures approved by the Management Meeting are communicated to the responsible persons at the plants and research institutes, who will then implement the measures at their respective organizations. The risks are thus managed in a systematic and comprehensive manner. The impacts of risks and opportunities are reviewed each year, and the risk and opportunity management status is reported to the CSR Committee and the Management Meeting.

Indicators and targets

To mitigate the identified risks, we have created a roadmap to achieve the greenhouse gas emission reduction targets newly established based on our medium- to long-term environmental vision. We discuss measures to be taken to achieve the targets and estimate the costs. Our medium- to long-term greenhouse gas reduction targets have been approved as science-based by the international initiative “Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi).” For Scope 1+2, our targets are classified by SBTi as the strictest, “1.5°C target.” To achieve our medium- to long-term targets, we set a single-year target and evaluate the results (progress) against the target (FY2019 target: at least a 8.4% reduction compared to FY 2017). In FY2019, vigorous efforts were made toward the medium-term greenhouse gas reduction target (target year: FY 2020) and the new medium- to long-term greenhouse gas reduction targets. We also calculate greenhouse gas emissions across the entire value chain (Scope 3). Since FY2014, we have calculated greenhouse gas emissions for our business sites in Japan by dividing Scope 3 emissions into 15 categories, in accordance with the guidelines of the Ministry of the Environment. As for water risks, we conduct risk assessment once a year. Recognizing water risks among the company-wide risks, we implement measures based on the BCP, including maintaining a sufficient stock. In the future, we will also work to establish a mutually complementary system and secure multiple suppliers.

• * Details on risks/opportunities regarding Climate Change, as well as CO₂ emissions are included in CDP climate change. These can be confirmed at the CDP website (CDP ID required). We responded to CDP Climate Change 2019 in Japanese. This PDF is a translation of our response into English.

Carbon Pricing

We have incorporated carbon pricing into our environment-related investment decisions.

Progress towards a decarbonized society

In FY2019, energy-derived greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from our production and research sites were 19,800 tons on a location basis^*4, a 25.8% reduction from 26,700 tons compared to FY2005, achieving our medium-term GHG emission reduction target (target year: FY2020). (When the amount of increase due to the operation of the Yamaguchi Plant, newly established in FY2018, is included, GHG emissions for FY2019 were 23,700 tons, a 11.2% reduction compared to FY2005.)
As for the results (progress) against the new GHG emission reduction targets established based on our medium- to long-term environmental vision, our Scopes 1 and 2 GHG emissions (on a market basis ^*5) for FY2019 were 27,300 tons, a 8.4% reduction compared to FY2017. Regarding the use of renewable energy, in line with the RE100 international initiative (we joined in June 2020), we worked to promote the use of renewable energy and achieved the FY2019 target (increasing the share of renewable energy in total electricity consumption by at least 8.4%). (The renewable energy usage rate in FY2019 was 11.2%.)
Since we achieved the medium-term GHG emission reduction target in FY2019, from FY2020 we will accelerate our efforts to further reduce emissions, aiming to achieve the GHG emission reduction targets newly established based on the medium- to long-term environmental vision.

• Location-basis: GHG emissions calculated based on the progress management coefficient released by the Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers’ Associations of Japan
• Market basis: GHG emissions calculated using the emission factors released by each electric power company

Energy-derived GHG emissions (Scopes 1+2)

• * Sites where data on GHG emissions were collected: Fujiyama Plant, Joto Plant (current, Joto Pharmaceutical Product Development Center), Yamaguchi Plant (added from FY2018), Minase Research Institute, Fukui Research Institute, Tsukuba Research Institute, Head Office, sales offices and other offices, etc.
  GHG emissions are calculated using the following formula.
  GHG emissions = Purchased electricity (10,000 kWh) × progress management coefficient of the Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers’ Associations of Japan (t-C/10,000 kWh) × 44/12 + Σ (Fuel consumption × Unit calorific value × Carbon emission factor × 44/12) 
  For the unit calorific value and carbon emission factor, the values stipulated by the Act on Promotion of Global Warming Countermeasures are used; for the carbon emission factor for electricity, the progress management coefficient of the Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers’ Associations of Japan is used.
  Before FY2010: Post-adjustment carbon emission factor, presented by Keidanren (Japan Business Federation) in the “Carbon Emission Factors for Electricity Consumption (Receiving End)” (FY2005 (base year): 1.152 t-C/10,000 kWh (4.224 t-CO₂/10,000 kWh))
  FY2011-2012: The receiving-end emission factor converted from the generating-end emission factor, which has been calculated on the assumption that the Great East Japan Earthquake had not occurred and presented by Keidanren in FY2011: 0.927 t-C/10,000 kWh (3.4 t-CO₂/10,000 kWh)
  From FY2013: FY2020 target carbon emission factor released by the Federation of Electric Power Companies of Japan before the Great East Japan Earthquake: 0.900 t-C/10,000 kWh (3.3t-CO₂/10,000 kWh)
  The target range for 2005 (base year) and 2020 (target year) is energy-derived GHG emissions from production sites and research institutes.
  Due to the revision of the Company's greenhouse gas emissions calculation rules in FY2019, emissions are recalculated back to previous years. 

GHG emissions (Scopes 1+2)

• * Sites where data on GHG emissions were collected: Fujiyama Plant, Joto Plant (current, Joto Pharmaceutical Product Development Center), Yamaguchi Plant (added from FY2018), Minase Research Institute, Fukui Research Institute, Tsukuba Research Institute, Head Office, sales offices and other offices, etc.
  GHG emissions are calculated using the following formula.
  GHG emissions = Purchased electricity (10,000 kWh) × adjusted emission factor published by the electric company + Σ (Fuel consumption × Unit calorific value × Carbon emission factor × 44/12)+Σ (Fluorocarbon leakage amount x global warming potential)
  The amount of green electric power certified under the Green Energy Certificate and renewable energy certified under J-Credit Scheme are deducted.
  GHG emissions were managed on a location basis in and before FY2016 and on both location and market bases in and after FY2017.
  Due to the revision of the Company's greenhouse gas emissions calculation rules in FY2019, emissions are recalculated back to previous years. 

Breakdown of GHG emissions by scope (Market-basis)

Breakdown of Scope 1 by GHG type

• * GHG types are based on the Greenhouse Gas Emissions Accounting, Reporting, and Disclosure System of the Act on Promotion of Global Warming Countermeasures.

Energy consumption

• * Sites where energy consumption data were collected: Fujiyama Plant, Joto Plant (current, Joto Pharmaceutical Product Development Center), Yamaguchi Plant (added from FY2018), Minase Research Institute, Fukui Research Institute, Tsukuba Research Institute, Head Office, sales offices and other offices, etc.

Initiatives for a decarbonized society

Creating a road map for reduction of GHG emissions

• Participation in the “FY2019 Model Project for Supporting Development of CO₂ Emission Reduction Plans to Achieve SBT” (sponsored by the Ministry of the Environment of Japan)
  As of the end of March 2020, there were only seven Japanese companies whose GHG reduction targets were classified as the SBTi’s “1.5°C target.” To achieve our challenging GHG reduction targets, we have participated in the “FY2019 Model Project for Supporting Development of CO₂ Emission Reduction Plans to Achieve SBT” (sponsored by the Ministry of the Environment of Japan) and created a highly feasible GHG reduction road map, incorporating new technologies based on the research and advice of experts.

Promoting energy conservation

• Adopting those of Top Runner Equipment, which is aimed at reducing GHG emissions, at the time of replacement (replacing fluorescent lights with LEDs, replacing heat source equipment with module-type heat pump chillers, etc.)
• Reviewing and adjusting the operating hours and temperatures of the equipment
• Implementing the Cool Biz and Warm Biz clothes initiative advocated by the Japanese Ministry of the Environment.

Introducing renewable energy

• Introducing and operating solar power generation facilities: Head Office building (FY2003), Minase Research Institute (FY2015), Tokyo Building (FY2017)
• Purchasing electricity under a renewable energy-based electricity menu contract: Minase Research Institute (FY2019)
• Purchasing Green Energy Certificates (from FY2018) and J-Credits (from FY2019) We are promoting the use of renewable energy by purchasing certificates for electricity generated by renewable energy (Green Energy Certificates) and J-Credits.

Fuel conversion

• Completion of fuel conversion from heavy oil and kerosene to city gas and LNG at all plants and research institutes
  (GHG emissions from the combustion of fuels to produce energy depends on the source of the fuel. GHG emissions from city gas/LNG combustion are less than those from heavy oil/kerosene.)

Power load leveling

• Shifting the peak power usage from daytime hours to nighttime through the use of the nighttime heat storage system and cogeneration system
• Introducing large-capacity power storage system (NAS battery system) at the Yamaguchi Plant

Energy management

• Establishing an energy management system with a view to the introduction of FEMS (factory energy management system) and BEMS (building energy management system)
  Although we have always measured energy consumption at our production plants and research institutes, we are making steady efforts to upgrade our energy management systems, with a view to the introduction of FEMS or BEMS.

Fluorocarbon Management

In April 2015, amendments to the Act on Rational Use and Proper Management of Fluorocarbons came into force, and the reporting of leakage from and inspection of air conditioning equipment and refrigerators/freezers for business use became obligatory. Therefore, we conduct activities such as the identification of such equipment, simple inspections / periodic inspections, generation of records, and calculations of leakage. In FY2019, the calculated leakage of fluorocarbons was 443.56 tons-CO₂. We will continue to prevent leakage and promote the introduction of non-CFC (chlorofluorocarbon) and low-GWP (global-warming potential) equipment when updating equipment.

External evaluation of our climate change-related efforts

• In the survey conducted by the UK-based CDP on climate change, we were selected as an A-List company, the highest rating, for two consecutive years (in FY2019).
• We won an award in the Activity Implementation and Promotion category of the Minister of the Environment’s 2019 Commendation for Global Warming Prevention Activity (the Ministry of the Environment).
• We were introduced in a collection of case studies on energy efficiency & conservation (published by the Kansai Bureau of Economy, Trade and Industry) as among specified businesses who have remarkable achievements in various aspects of energy conservation.
• Under the Act on the Rational Use of Energy (Energy Conservation Act), we have received the highest S rank for four consecutive years in corporate energy conservation excellence.

See the External Evaluation section for details.

GHG Emissions in the Value Chain (Scope 3)

GHG emissions in the value chain (Scope 3) have been devided into 15 categories under the Ministry of the Environment’s guidelines, and since FY2014 it has been calculating them for sites in Japan. 

• Figures stated in the “Emission Factor Database on Accounting for Greenhouse Gas Emissions throughout the Supply Chain (Ver. 2.6 in FY2018 and ver. 3.0 in FY2019),” published by the Ministry of the Environment, Government of Japan.

The availability of high-quality fresh water is one of the important factors for us in conducting business activities. We are making efforts for reducing water use so as to mitigate the load on limited water resources. As for water risks, the Environmental Management Committee leads and conducts surveys on the risks, and identifies/analyzes/evaluates the business risks. Risk evaluation at important sites that use large volumes of water is conducted using the WRI AQUEDUCT risk assessment tool of the World Resource Institute. As of the end of FY2019, none of our company’s important sites operate or conduct water intake in areas categorized as being at “extremely high risk” for water stress. We continue to operate in areas where it is possible to use good quality fresh water as needed for business operations, and our business activities are therefore not affected. In FY 2019 and FY 2020, we received an improved rating of “A-” (up from B in FY 2018) in the Water Security survey conducted by CDP, a U.K.-based nonprofit organization.

*Water intake at factories and research institutes accounts for approximately 90% of the total use (FY2019), and for each sites, water stress categories are as follows. Low-medium: Yamaguchi Plant, Minase Research Institute, Fukui Research Institute, Joto Pharmaceutical Product Development Center, Medium to high: Fujiyama Plant, Tsukuba Research Institute.
 Note that ONO Pharma Korea is located in the “high risk” area, but its main business is clinical development and sales, so their water use is mainly domestic water at the business office, not factories and research facilities that use relatively large amounts of water.

Analysis and Evaluation of Water-related Risk and Opportunity

We have posted details such as the water-related risks and opportunities, water intake and wastewater volumes at CDP Water. They can be confirmed at the CDP website (A CDP ID is required). We responded to CDP Water 2019 in Japanese. This PDF is a translation of our response into English.

Progress towards a water recycling society

To achieve our medium-term environmental target of reducing water resource consumption (water intake) per production volume unit by 15% by FY 2030 (compared to FY 2017), we are working vigorously to reduce water consumption in business activities. The volume of water intake in FY 2019 was 296,700 m3, a 14.7% reduction (51,300 m3) compared to FY 2018. These results are due to our efforts to reduce water intake, including optimization of the number of operating cooling towers for production equipment at the Yamaguchi Plant. Also, a recycled water system has been installed at the Fukui Research Institute to reduce water use. Furthermore, water-saving sanitary equipment (water-saving coolant spray nozzle, upgraded boiler wastewater neutralization system, etc.) has been installed at our relatively newly constructed facilities, including production plants, research institutes and the Tokyo Building.
The water intake per production volume unit in fFY 2019 increased by 32.3% compared to FY 2017. This is due to a decrease in the number of boxes produced, which is used as a denominator for calculation.

Water intake (water resource consumption) and water intake per production volume unit

• * From FY2019, the head office and other domestic offices have been added retroactively to FY2017.

Wastewater

• * Sites where data on water consumption and wastewater volume were collected: Fujiyama Plant, Joto Plant (current, Joto Pharmaceutical Product Development Center), Yamaguchi Plant (added from FY 2018), Minase Research Institute, Fukui Research Institute, Tsukuba Research Institute, Head Office, sales offices and other offices, etc.
  From FY2019, the head office and other domestic offices have been added retroactively to FY2017.

• Rivers/Lake in the areas where major business sites are located: Toyohira River, Okura River, Arakawa River, Sakawa River, Kiso River, Lake Biwa, Yodo River, Ota River, Yoshino River, Naka River

Regarding resource recycling as one of the top priorities in our business activities, we are promoting various activities on a company-wide basis. The Environmental Management Committee takes the lead in conducting surveys, analyses and evaluations and promoting environmental protection activities toward building a sustainable society.

Progress toward a resource recycling society

In FY 2019, the final landfill disposal rate of industrial waste was 0.05% against the medium- to long-term targets, achieving zero emissions^*8. Also, the volume of industrial waste per production volume unit decreased by 11.7% compared to FY 2017. The total volume also decreased by 15.6 tons from the previous year. These results are due to waste reduction activities, including thorough waste separation.

• Zero emissions are defined as the condition where the final landfill disposal rate is kept at 1.0% or less as a result of recycling industrial waste generated from business activities. (Final landfill disposal rate = amount of landfill disposal ÷ amount of industrial waste x 100). Note that certain materials, including some hazardous substances and waste reagents, are excluded from the calculation for zero emissions because their safe disposal is a higher priority.

Industrial waste: Final landfill disposal volume and final landfill disposal rate

• * Sites where data on final landfill disposal volume and final landfill disposal rate of industrial waste was collected: Fujiyama Plant, Joto Plant (current, Joto Pharmaceutical Product Development Center), Yamaguchi Plant (Added from FY 2018), Minase Research Institute, Fukui Research Institute, and Tsukuba Research Institute.
• * Of FY2017 final industrial landfill disposal volume in, the amount of waste (5.8 tons) from renovation of the Joto Plant (current, Joto Pharmaceutical Product Development Center) was included.

• * Of FY2017 industrial waste volume, the amount of waste (25.64 tons) from renovation of the Joto Plant (current, Joto Pharmaceutical Product Development Center) was excluded from the calculation.

Industrial waste volume and special management industrial waste volume (hazardous waste volume)

• * Sites where data on industrial waste volume and special management industrial waste volume (hazardous waste volume) was collected: Fujiyama Plant, Joto Plant (current, Joto Pharmaceutical Product Development Center), Yamaguchi Plant (Added from FY 2018), Minase Research Institute, Fukui Research Institute, and Tsukuba Research Institute
• * Special management industrial waste (hazardous waste) is defined under the Waste Management and Public Cleansing Law as waste that has properties of explosiveness, toxicity, infectiousness, and/or possibly causing damage to human health or the living environment. We strive to manage this type of waste properly.

Efforts toward a resource recycling society

We inspect our intermediate processing contractors and final disposal contractors to make sure that our industrial wastes are processed and disposed of properly. As part of efforts to increase recycling of industrial waste, we also ask certified heat recovery service providers to conduct thermal recycling and choose companies involved in materials recycling as our final waste disposal contractors.

Recycling of product containers and packaging materials

Upholding the reduction of environmental impact of our business activities as one of our medium- and long-term goals, we are working to reduce our environmental impact by changing container materials and packaging styles. In FY 2019, we changed the packaging material for some products from plastic to paper to reduce post-disposal environmental impact. Products with this new packaging have been sold from FY 2020.

In addition, pursuant to the Containers and Packaging Recycling Law, some of the containers and packaging materials for the products we sell are recycled. 

Green Purchasing

In December 2004, we started purchasing on a company wide basis-from @office, an online office supply purchasing service provided by Kokuyo Co., Ltd. This service offers a wide range of environmentally friendly office supplies, including Green Mark and Eco Mark certified products, and we use this service to promote green procurement. In FY2019, 75.7% of the office supplies purchased by ONO were environmentally friendly products.

Management of Chemicals

ONO is committed to reducing chemical emissions to the lowest possible level not only in compliance with laws and regulations but also in recognition that these emissions may impact human health and the ecosystem.

Compliance with the PRTR Law

In FY2019, the Minase Research Institute made reports on Class I designated chemical substances. These chemicals are managed in appropriate amounts and in compliance with the Law concerning Pollutant Release and Transfer Register (PRTR). For details, please see the ESG data.

Amount of Chemical Substances Handled

In FY2019, the volume of Class I designated chemical substances under the Law concerning Pollutant Release and Transfer Register (PRTR) that we handled remained extremely low, at just 11.49 tons. This is partly because we does not conduct any synthesis of pharmaceutical substances. We will continue to make every possible effort to reduce the amount that we handle and to keep down the amount released.

Handling of PCBs

We manages waste polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) properly in accordance with the Law Concerning Special Measures for Promotion of Proper Treatment of PCB Waste in Japan. The company submits a report on the storage and disposal of waste PCBs to the Osaka municipal government every year.

• Joto Plant (current, Joto Pharmaceutical Product Development Center) in FY2007 and in FY2019 and Minase Research Institute in FY2014 delivered PCBs to the Japan Environmental Storage and Safety Corporation, a PCB waste treatment service provider.

Prevention of Air Pollution and Water Pollution

The production sites comply with the Air Pollution Control Act, the Law concerning Pollutant Release and Transfer Register (PRTR), agreements on pollution prevention with local governments, and other related laws and regulations in order to reduce environmental impact. They periodically measure the concentration of exhaust gas and noise from boilers and CGSs as well as wastewater from the plants, in accordance with related laws and other regulations, in order to ensure that levels are within regulatory limits. They also strive to reduce environmental risk. The PDCA cycle is followed in the plants, and employees are provided with the necessary environmental management training in operations in which there is a risk of environmental impact. Emergency drills are also conducted regularly. These drills use scenarios such as high concentrations of soot due to faulty equipment and leakages of oil into the ground, giving employees practice in the necessary preventative and responsive measures for such situations.
In recent years, extreme weather events are occurring as a result of global warming. We have formulated manuals to prepare for accidents and emergency situations caused by such weather, and we organize training sessions to minimize environmental impacts. In particular, to address any accidents and emergency situations that may cause water or soil pollution, we systematically review and implement the backup and reinforcement of relevant equipment.

As for the categories of sustainability information (environment : GHG emissions, energy consumption, GHG emissions in the value chain (Scope 3), water intake volume, wastewater volume (including drainage destination), industrial waste volume, special management industrial waste volume (hazardous waste volume), and final landfill disposal volume of industrial waste, society : number of lost-time injuries and frequency rate, number of occupational illnesses and frequency rate), each of which is disclosed and indicated with the icon in our CSR Report 2020, we have received independent assurance so as to bolster the reliability of the information. The Independent Assurance Report is reprinted on page 107.