Biodiversity
Targets for Biodiversity Conservation Activities
| KPI | Results | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| FYE 3/2019 | FYE 3/2020 | FYE 3/2021 | |
| Conduct biodiversity activities at all production sites in Japan by FYE 3/2021, and all production sites worldwide by FYE 3/2024. (Scope of aggregation: Consolidated subsidiaries of Meiji Group) |
Japan: 62.0% | Japan: 80.8% | Japan: 36.2% Overseas: 45.0%* |
| KPI | Base Year | Target | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FYE 3/2024 | ||||
| Conduct biodiversity activities at all production sites worldwide by FYE 3/2024 (Scope of aggregation: Consolidated subsidiaries of Meiji Group) |
- | 100% | ||
Approach to Biodiversity
Due to the world's economic activities, we are facing a critical situation amid a rapid loss of biodiversity caused by disruption of habitats by deforestation and deterioration in habitat environments, including environmental pollution. As the businesses of the Meiji Group depend on the abundant gifts of nature, including raw milk, cacao and lactobacillus, and microorganisms used for developing antibiotics, we recognize that loss of biodiversity is a significant social issue. We identify the impact of our business activities on biodiversity throughout the entire supply chain, from raw material procurement to waste disposal, preserving and regenerating biodiversity to ensure that we enjoy the abundant gifts of nature for years to come. We comply with treaties, laws and regulations related to biodiversity, and contribute to the creation of a society that coexists in harmony with nature.
Biodiversity Conservation Activities Policy
The Meiji Group formulated the Meiji Group Biodiversity Conservation Activities Policy in October 2020. Amid ongoing loss of biodiversity, we intend to contribute to the creation of a society that coexists in harmony with nature throughout the entire supply chain, from raw material procurement to waste disposal.
Relationship between Our Business Activities and Biodiversity
The Meiji Group is deeply involved in a variety of biological resources and ecosystems through our food and pharmaceutical businesses, and it has an impact on biodiversity throughout our entire supply chain, from raw material procurement to waste disposal. Based on this recognition, we pursue biodiversity-friendly activities, reduction in impact on biodiversity, effective use of biological resources and enhanced understanding of biodiversity among our employees.
(Red): Business activities that are related to biodiversity (supply chain)
(Brown): Impact on biodiversity
(Green): Activities that contribute to biodiversity conservation
Major Activities for Biodiversity Conservation
| Activities through Meiji Group's Main Businesses | Agroforestry Milk Chocolate initiative |
|---|---|
| Activities in Meiji Group Sites and Surrounding Areas | Activities in the Meiji Group Nature Conservation Area Kumamoto Sunlight Forest Activities in domestic sites with production plants Activities in overseas sites with production plants |
| Activities in Cooperation with Local Governments and NPOs | Activities in the Meiji Nature Conservation Area (Nemuro City) Activities in cooperation with local governments |
Activities through Meiji Group's Main Businesses
Agroforestry Milk Chocolate Initiative
Activities in Meiji Group Sites and Surrounding Areas
Evaluation of Risks to Biodiversity Caused by Meiji Group Sites
In order to investigate the impact of Meiji Group operations on biodiversity, we made use of the IBAT1 (an independent tool for evaluating biodiversity). We investigated the number of areas of important biodiversity within a 10 km radius (a total area of 210 hectares)2 of 67 Meiji Group production sites.
The targets of our investigation were nature conservation areas containing important biodiversity (World Heritage Sites, Ramsar Convention wetlands, UNESCO MAB reserves, IUCN Protected Area Categories Ia, Ib, II, III, and IV), and areas designated as key areas for preserving biodiversity (Key Biodiversity Areas (KBA): particularly Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBA)). Additionally, we also included areas containing at least one species recognized as being at high risk of extinction (category: Vulnerable (VU)) on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
As a result, we discovered that 53 sites were within a 10 km radius of an area of important biodiversity.
Meiji Group has established the Meiji Group Environmental Policy, and is engaged in measures focused on ensuring compliance with laws and regulations, reducing our environmental impact, and preserving biodiversity. In FY2020 there were no occurrences of or fines related to violations of environmental laws or regulations. We also found no cases where our business had a direct negative impact on biodiversity.
Status as of end of March 2021
| % | Nature maintenance area, an important area of biodiversity | KBA (Mainly IBA) | IUCN Redlist | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| World Heritage Sites | Ramsar Convention wetlands | UNESCO MAB | IUCN Protected Area Categories | |||||||
| Ⅰa | Ⅰb | Ⅱ | Ⅲ | Ⅳ | ||||||
| Worksites in Japan (47 sites) | 4.3 | 6.4 | 2.1 | 0 | 0 | 6.4 | 0 | 93.6 | 42.6 | 10.6 |
| Worksites in China (6 sites) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 16.7 | 16.7 |
| Asia (Excluding Japan and China, 10sites) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 50 | 50 |
| North America and Europe (4 sites) | 25 | 0 | 0 | 25 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 25 | 75 | 25 |
| Total for all worksites (67 sites) | 4.5 | 4.5 | 1.5 | 1.5 | 1.5 | 4.5 | 0 | 67.2 | 43.3 | 17.9 |
Activities in the Meiji Group Nature Conservation Area Kumamoto Sunlight Forest
We conducted research on the natural environment in Kumamoto Sunlight Forest (approx. 7 ha), land owned by KM Biologics from 2020. Kumamoto Sunlight Forest is a secondary forest consisting of Japanese cedar, cypress, Japanese chestnut oak and Konara oak. We confirmed the existence there of places where Satoyama-like natural environment has been preserved and of endangered wild plants and animals, including clusters of Kin-ran and Gin-ran, Ural owl, Marten, Montane brown frog and Jewel beetle, which are listed in the Red Lists of threatened species published by the Japanese government and Kumamoto Prefecture. We also found that the forest served as an important biotope, a green corridor, for the region, with rich ecosystems being preserved and a variety of migratory birds being observed all year round.
We will endeavor to conserve biodiversity by promoting the recovery of forested lands that have been partially wasted and will carry out nature observation meetings and biodiversity conservation activities for our employees, their families and local residents. In doing so, we aim to increase our employees' understanding of biodiversity and to solve local ecosystems issues.
Kumamoto Sunlight Forest
Zone A
- Covers a sizeable area (approx. 5 ha)
- Consists of secondary forest (evergreen trees and deciduous trees) and artificial forest (Japanese cedar and cypress)
- Difficult to enter because the forest floor is covered with bamboo grasses
Zone B
- Consists mainly of deciduous trees
- Bright and easy to walk in the forest floor due to maintenance by periodic weeding
- Fallen leaves are thickly laid and there are many trees that yield acorns
Zone C
- Secondary forest (evergreen trees and deciduous trees) and artificial forest (Japanese cedar and cypress) are mixed in a mosaic pattern
- Maintenance by weeding partly performed
- Complicated geographical feature (steep roadway)
Waterway
- Water flows from east to west on the boundary between zone A and zone B. The waterway is mainly three concrete-lined but its central part is natural river bank
- Can provide watering places and spawning grounds for animals
Wild Plants and Animals Confirmed in Research in Kumamoto Sunlight Forest
<Symbolic species confirmed>
Superiority
- Located at an upper trophic level in the biological community constituting ecosystems
- Subject to disturbance of ecosystems and environmental variation
Ural owl
Marten
Rarity
- Species listed in the Red Lists of threatened species by the Ministry of the Environment and Kumamoto Prefecture
- Includes species facing extinction due to reduction in their habitats and growing locations and that have weak resistance to environmental change
Kin-ran
Gin-ran
Jewel beetle
Montane brown frog
Typicality
- Species that play important roles in interaction among species and functions in ecosystems of the target area
- Species that characterize biodiversity and ecological succession
Japanese pygmy woodpecker
Japanese rhinoceros beetle
Stag beetle
Activities at Domestic Sites with Production Plants
We pursue activities for biodiversity conservation at domestic sites including Group companies with production plants (47 sites). * In FYE 3/2021, a large number of biodiversity conservation activities that we organize or participate in were cancelled due to COVID-19. Due to this, we are publishing information about our activities in FYE 3/2020.
| Sapporo Plant | Cleanup of Kotonihassamu River |
|---|---|
| Asahikawa Plant | Cleanup of Kaguraoka Park (Chubetsugawa Riverbed) |
| Wakkanai Plant | Cleanup in-plant and neighbor plant |
| Sakanoshita Beach Clean Strategy, Wakkanai City | |
| Nemuro Plant | Nemuro Tree Planting, employees' volunteer activities |
| Nishi Shunbetsu Plant | Maintenance for Nishi Shunbetsu cherry-tree-lined road |
| Tokachi Plant | Clean Action Memuro |
| Honbetsu Plant | Cleanup of Toshibetsu River Basin (green belt zone) |
| Tohoku Plant | Simultaneous Cleanup of Hirose River |
| Gunma Plant Gunma Nutritionals Plant Gunma Pharmaceuticals Plant |
Environmental Conservation for marshland in Oze National Park |
| Saitama Plant | Cleanup of Furutone River |
| Toda Plant | Planting Primroses in Todagahara |
| Sakado Plant | Cleanup of Oya River |
| Kanagawa Plant | Sagami River Beautification Council in Chigasaki District |
| Karuizawa Plant | Cleanup of Chikuma River |
| Tokai Plant | Cleanup of Seto River and Asahina River, Almond Festival |
| Shizuoka Plant | Miho Masaki Coast Cleanup, undergrowth mowing for protection of Miho black pines |
| Aichi Plant | Sukatani River Route Cleanup |
| Kyoto Plant Kyoto lactobacillus Plant |
Cleanup of river neighbor plant |
| Kansai Plant Kansai Ice Cream Plant Kansai Nutritionals Plant |
Kaizuka Port Beatification Enlightenment Campaign |
| Osaka Plant | Adopt-a-Forest Program |
| Kurashiki Plant | Sami Coast Cleanup, Simultaneous Clean Activities in Takahashi River Basin |
| Kyushu Plant | Forest Conservation by NPO Ganbariyoruyo Hoshino Village |
| Empty Can and Bottle Collecting Campaign in Yame City | |
| Symposium on Yabegawa Wo Tsunagu Kai | |
| Research Center | Rural Woodlands Conservation in Utsunuki Green Area |
| Donan Shokuhin Co., Ltd. | Cleanup of Kameda River |
| Meiji Sangyo Co., Ltd. | Cleanup river neighbor plant, Tree Planting Festival |
| Meiji Chewing Gum Co., Ltd. | River Environment Beautification Activities |
| Tokai Nuts Co., Ltd. | Shirafuji No Sato neighborhood cleanup |
| Participation in Fujieda City No-Car Day | |
| Tokai Meiji Co., Ltd. | Fukuroi City GreenWave Activities |
| Meiji Oils and Fats Co., Ltd. | Amanogawa (Milky Way) Clean & Walk |
| Chiba Meiji Milk Products Co., Ltd. | Cleanup of Inage-no Hama, Chiba City |
| Kantou Seiraku Co., Ltd. | Forest Conservation Activities |
| Tochigi Meiji Milk Products Co., Ltd. | Volunteer Activities by Tochigi Yume Daichi Supporters' Group |
| Shikoku Meiji Co., Ltd. | Kanokawa Cleanup and Forest Improvement Activities (hosted by Kagawa Plant) |
| Saita River Cleanup, Forest Improvement Activities | |
| Takamatsu Airport Clean Strategy | |
| Okinawa Meiji Milk Products Co., Ltd. | Makiminato River Cleanup Strategy |
| Coral Reef Recovery in Okinawa Prefecture | |
| Okayamaken Shokuhin Co., Ltd. | Refresh Setouchi Kasaoka Coast Clean Strategy |
| Nihon Kanzume, Inc. | Participation in Memuro Townspeople's Tree Planting Festival |
| Asahi Broiler Co., Ltd. | Cleanup of Koaze River neighbor plant |
| Odawara Plant | Odawara SDGs Partnership (Clean Sakawa) |
|---|---|
| Gifu Plant | Kitagata Town Beautification Movement Sponsor |
| Ashigara Research Center | Sakawa River Cleanup/Beautification |
| Ohkura Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. | Uji City Environment Beautification Volunteer Activity |
| Kikuchi Research Center | River and Sea Cleanup Activity (Kikuchi River) Kumamoto Sunlight Forest Biodiversity Conservation Activity |
|---|---|
| Aso Production Center | Noyaki on Mt. Aso |
Activities at Overseas Sites with Production Plants
We pursue biodiversity conservation activities at the Group's overseas sites with production plants (20 sites).
PT. Meiji Indonesia plants productive trees in water catchment areas on the mountain slopes around the Pasuruan regency.
We at Medreich celebrated the world environment day with purpose and to create more awareness on the environment. Across the locations environment protection related banners were displayed.
Saplings were planted by employees to mark the importance of this very significant day. Posters were created, and employees were issued badges, environment tip cards. Employees were also encouraged to give environment related speeches to spread their knowledge on saving environments. Along with the above, employees took oath at every location for protecting environment.
Activities in Cooperation with Local Governments and NPOs
Biodiversity Conservation in the Nemuro Nature Conservation Area
Meiji carried out activities for the conservation of wild birds and biodiversity in collaboration with the Wild Bird Society of Japan from 2007 to 2019 on land (467 ha) that we owned in Nemuro City, Hokkaido. Through the activities, we confirmed that the populations of endangered wild birds, including Red-crowned crane and White-tailed eagle, have been maintained. Our employees provide volunteer work there twice a year, including planting trees, developing forests and watching birds, and this has helped to generate environmental awareness among employees. From 2010, the area had also been used for the environmental education of local children. We held nature observation meetings for local children and their guardians in collaboration with the Wild Bird Society of Japan and we actively participated in events with themes on wild birds held by Nemuro City.
Following the closure of a neighboring plant in 2020, we donated the natural environment conservation area to Nemuro City. However, will continue to work on biodiversity conservation activities in the area going forward in collaboration with the local society under the agreement we have concluded with Nemuro City, as we respect the significance of the activities we have engaged in.
Activities in Collaboration with Local Governments
The Meiji Group's sites and companies that have production plants pursue local biodiversity conservation by participating in such activities held by local governments. The Osaka Plant of Meiji participates in the "Adopt a Forest Program," hosted by Osaka Prefecture, where wasted forests, including neglected artificial and bamboo forests, are converted into broadleaf forests for the prevention of global warming and biodiversity conservation.
Shikoku Meiji, a group company of Meiji participated in the "Forest Matching - Joint Forest Development Project" hosted by the Kagawa Prefectural Government and concluded an agreement with Kagawa Prefecture, Mitoyo City and the Mitoyo City Kanda Property Ward Management Association in July 2014. They named a forest (1.1 ha) located in Yamamoto-cho, Mitoyo City as Shikoku Meiji Team Wanpaku No Mori and undertake forest development activities, including cutting bamboo and planting wild cherry trees.
Meiji's Gunma Plant, Gunma Nutritionals Plant and Gunma Pharmaceuticals Plant, and Tochigi Meiji Milk Products participated in the "work for installing fences to prevent the invasion of Sika deer in Oe Marsh in Oze" implemented by Minami-Aizu Branch District Forest Office in order to reduce the damage to alpine plants, including Broad dwarf day lily, from being eaten by Sika deer. In this way, we help to secure the living environment of species and biodiversity.
Participating in "Adopt a Forest Program" in OsakaPrefecture
Participating in "Forest Matching Project" in Kagawa Prefecture
Working for installing fences to prevent the invasion of wild deer in Oe Marsh in Oze