Komatsu Makes Biodiversity Declaration
Starting Long-Term Conservation Efforts for Biodiversity
As companies engaging in global business, the Komatsu Group is focusing its efforts on the reduction of environmental impact in business operations. In June 2010, we revised the Komatsu Earth Environment Charter by adding biodiversity to the conventionally focused-on efforts in climate change, establishment of a sound material-cycle society, conservation of air, water and other environments as well as management of chemical substances. To promote our efforts in these four areas on a group-wide, global basis, we have led the Japanese construction equipment manufacturing industry by making a biodiversity declaration.
The growing importance of biodiversity has been addressed around the world today, as demonstrated by the tenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP 10) held in Nagoya, Japan in October 2010. We recognize the importance of conserving biodiversity, work to reduce environmental impact on biodiversity in our operations, and make efforts to contribute socially to conserve biodiversity.
Up to the present, the Komatsu Group has engaged in a variety of activities designed to conserve biodiversity, such as building production plants surrounded by rich greenery environs, the construction of a biotope on the site of the plant of Komatsu UK Ltd., as well as planting efforts and the biodiesel fuel project in Indonesia. By upholding the biodiversity declaration, we are going to make a variety of organizational efforts as the Komatsu Group, including educational activities for all Komatsu Group employees (through collective education at every plant) and one-theme activities by every Komatsu Group establishment around the world to promote conservation activities designed to incorporate local characteristics.
As we look ahead, we plan to make contributions to building a rich society coexisting with nature through not only our group-wide efforts, but also communication with our supply chain members and local communities.
[Declaration of Biodiversity by Komatsu]
Komatsu recognizes that its business activities are dependent on and influence benefits from the ecosystem services through biodiversity. Based on this understanding, Komatsu takes actions in accordance with the following guidelines as it shares a sense of responsibility regarding the biodiversity crisis, and strives to conserve diverse resources and engage in the sustainable use of biodiversity.
I. Recognition by Management
Komatsu recognizes that conservation and promulgation of biodiversity are important management tasks.
II. Activities
Komatsu shall promote activities by basically integrating climate change problems through the following two perspectives.
1. Komatsu shall reduce its environmental impact, which is affecting biodiversity, through its business activities.
1) Reduction of environmental impact from products
2) Reduction of direct environmental impact in the lifecycle of products
3) Consideration of biodiversity when using land
2. Komatsu shall work for conservation and promulgation of biodiversity through its social contribution activities.
III. Promotion
After considering realistic possibilities, Komatsu shall promote activities by means of a step-by-step approach.
IV. Collaboration with Local Communities
To conserve local biodiversity, Komatsu shall collaborate with municipal authorities, local residences, NGOs and other pertinent groups; promote activities; and work to become a company of which local communities can feel proud.
V. Involvement by All
To foster the growth of employees with a mindset of biodiversity, Komatsu shall promote activities by having all employees involved. Accordingly, Komatsu shall promote such activities on a global and group-wide basis by having not only suppliers, but also customers involved.
VI. Communication
While working to educate its employees in the field of biodiversity, Komatsu shall actively disclose its efforts regarding biodiversity and thereby enhance social awareness of biodiversity.
[Komatsu's Biodiversity Conservation Efforts to the Present]
(1)Building facilities by placing the importance on local ecosystems: Research Division in Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan
(2)Planting the dipterocarps or "lauan" in Indonesia
(3)Observing local life forms at the biotope on the premises of a plant: Komatsu UK Ltd.
(4)Constructing "Satoyama," a domestic woodland, on the premises of the new training center on the site of the former Komatsu Plant in Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan
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Information in the news releases is current on the date of the announcement and is subject to change without notice.
2011/03/02
No. 050(2252)
KOMATSU Corporate Communications
TEL: 03(5561)2616
