Support of Related Initiatives and Cooperation with Organizations

Sumitomo Forestry participates in many organizations that are actively involved in biodiversity conservation. In the Keidanren Nature Conservation Council, the chairperson of Sumitomo Forestry serves as vice-chairperson and sends members to the planning subcommittee, which is responsible for its operation. In June 2020, Sumitomo Forestry committed to the Keidanren Declaration of Biodiversity and Action Policy (Revised Edition) proposed by the Keidanren Declaration on Biodiversity Initiative. In 2023, we participated in a working group that prepared a revision proposal for Declaration of Biodiversity by Keidanren. We also participate in the Japan Business Initiative for Biodiversity (JBIB) and conduct joint research on corporate biodiversity initiatives in subcommittee meetings.

In addition, Sumitomo Forestry Landscaping is striving for the registration of "Ikimono Kyozon Jigyousho®" certification for Sustainable Business Sites promoted by the Association for Business Innovation in harmony with Nature and Community (ABINC) and the SEGES Green Certification promoted by the Organization for Landscape and urban Green Infrastructure for properties undertaken with the environmental greening business. Moreover, the Chief Corporate Advisor of Sumitomo Forestry acts as the chairman of the Organization for Landscape and Urban Green Infrastructure.

Express its support of the TCFD and TNFD recommendations

Participation in Drafting the Guidelines for Private Sector Engagement in Biodiversity

The Ministry of the Environment drafted the Guidelines for Private Sector Engagement in Biodiversity (Ver. 1) in 2009 for business proprietors as a means to advance biodiversity conservation and sustainable use with recognition that corporate activities play a vital role in those efforts. Sumitomo Forestry was involved in drafting these guidelines as a member of the investigative committee.

The Guidelines for Private Sector Engagement in Biodiversity brings together basic information and approaches necessary to conserve biodiversity and reduce loss in a way that is easy for private sector organizations not yet addressing biodiversity issues to understand while also offering a means for business proprietors already engaged in efforts to play an even more effective role.

In December 2017, the second version was released in light of growing interests and expectations about conserving biodiversity driven by the SDGs and other international targets. These guidelines presented the sustainable wood procurement of Sumitomo Forestry as one excellent example initiative.

Signing of Commitment to the Business for Nature's Call to Action

Business for Nature is a global business coalition founded in July 2019 for the purpose of bringing together the voices of business and conservation organizations and forward-thinking companies as one to amplify their call to governments. In May 2020, the Coalition devised a Call to Action to encourage the adoption of legislation to reverse nature loss in this decade when formulating the Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework. Sumitomo Forestry signed its commitment to the Call to Action in September 2020.