Biodiversity

TNFD Guidance-based Evaluation

SIR Group has adopted the LEAP approach^*1 - based on the TNFD (Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures) guidance and with the help of external experts - to assess and respond to the relationships and risks associated with specific business activities related to the natural environment and biodiversity.

As initial research, we scoped the evaluation, identified locations of interactions with nature, and evaluated dependence and impacts. To scope the evaluation, we analyzed land use and change (land use area), pollution (toxic emissions), resource use (water consumption), and climate change (GHG emissions). As a result, we have decided to further research on our information magazine business to analyze our impact on biodiversity.

We conducted desktop research and engaged with partner companies throughout the value chain, from the procurement of raw materials to the disposal and recycling of the information magazines we publish. We used external indicators and tools to determine our dependency and impact on nature with respect to business activities, locations, and raw materials and processes that may have negative environmental impacts.

Following is the list of information sources used in the assessment.

• Natural conditions at the source of natural resources (IUCN Protected Area Categories Database, Global Forest Watch, etc.)

• Databases on the certification of paper products from forests (FSC^*2, PEFC^*3)

• Database on water risk (Aqueduct of WRI^*4)

• Chemical safety databases (Webkis-Plus of National Institute for Environmental Studies, the SIN List of the International Chemical Substances Secretariat)

• Research reports on life-cycle environmental assessment and carbon footprint of printed materials (The Institute of Life Cycle Assessment, Japan, and information from the printing industry and related companies).

Tree planting project

SIR Group promotes activities to ensure the conservation of biodiversity, one of which is tree planting.

Cooperation with suppliers to reduce environmental footprint

Paper is a key raw material for magazines. When purchasing paper we look into the efforts made by suppliers to reduce environmental impact, examining their efforts in terms of the five practices below, which are of particular importance in the thinking of the SIR Group. Together with our business partners, we intend to continue working together with our partners to further reduce their environmental footprint.

• Eco-friendly materials procurement

• Reduction in substances of concern, including CO2 and waste materials

• Energy-saving, efficient manufacturing processes

• Protection and growth of forest resources, a major raw material

• Development and spread of green products

Paper recycling

SIR Group also thoroughly collects and manages the remaindered free magazines in racks (remaindered copies). After the number of copies is reported by drivers in charge, most of them are collected by used paper companies and then delivered to paper-manufacturing companies. With such processes of recycling, the paper is recycled to cardboard and other paper based products.

Disposal and recycling management

Most SIR Group companies are tenants in buildings owned by others, and it is important that we work together with the building owners to strictly follow the trash separation rules established by local governments. In our headquarters offices we separate trash for recycling on each floor. We have switched to signage that makes it a simple task for individual employees to separate trash for recycling. We also conduct educational activities in this area using our in-house communication tools. We will continue to separate trash for recycling as required by local governments in all our locations nationwide.