Global Environmental Conservation
Environmental Management
Environmental Preservation Principles
Basic Principles
The SWS Group shall implement business activities to create an affluent society with full consideration for environmental preservation.
Environmental Preservation Action Guidelines
① Make efforts to develop and improve eco-technology (also known as “green engineering”) in every field of product planning, development, design, manufacturing methods, production, logistics, usage and disposal aiming at product manufacturing, with consideration given to influence on ecosystems and protection of resources.
② Determine self-imposed restraints to reduce impact on the environment, in addition to observing environmental regulations by the government, local public bodies and other organizations.
③ Conduct an environmental audit to check the progress of environmental preservation plans and job performance levels in order to maintain and improve the level of environmental management.
④ Improve environmental awareness in the SWS Group, including overseas sites, and promote environmental preservation activities through communication with local communities.
Environmental Slogan
Environmental Management System
The SWS Group has organized a business unit-led system with an environmental management officer in each business division.
We shared the strengths and weaknesses of each company and focused on strengthening compliance and environmental risk management, centered on an environmental diagnosis that assess compliance with global environmental standards.
Moving forward, we aim to establish an internal audit system that complies with the laws and regulations of each country, in addition to conducting environmental diagnostics.
Environmental Audits
We conduct environmental audits to ensure that the environmental management systems of our domestic group companies are being appropriately operated and maintained in accordance with ISO 14001. The FY 2023 audit found no instances of noncompliance throughout the company.
Legal Violations and Environmental Accidents
In FY 2023, our group caused one incident of legal violation and environmental accident (which resulted in guidance, recommendations, or fines from the authorities).
Environmental Education
To achieve environmental management, it is essential to improve each employee's environmental awareness and knowledge. Our group implements a variety of environmental education programs for various levels of employees, including new employees, employees transferred from other regions, and canditates for internal auditor.
We are actively enhancing our internal education by utilizing e-learning (learning management systems) and remote education, so that each individual can voluntarily engage in environmental conservation activities.
Material Balance (in Japan) (FY2022)
SWS Group Environmental Action Plan
The SWS Group has sought to cultivate stronger relationships with the global community toward reducing environmental impact at every stage of the product life cycle, from development to disposal. In FY 2024, we are revising our initiatives to align with Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.'s promotion activities "Go for Green 2025," and we are committed to realizing a green and sustainable society.
Climate Change Mitigation
Greenhouse Gas Emissions (Global)
The SWS Group considers the prevention of global warming to be one of the most important issues in the environmental field, and we are making concerted group-wide efforts to realize Clean Factory.
With the acquisition of SBT certification by the SEI Group, we set a target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions across the group by 12.5% compared to FY 2018 for FY 2023. However, due to external factors and increased production, the actual result was a 5% reduction, totaling 350,000 tons, which did not meet the target. As measures for future emissions reduction, we will promote energy conservation and energy creation as the core strategies, and advance activities toward carbon neutrality across the entire group.
Reduction in Per Unit Energy through Energy Saving (Global)
We achieved our goal of reducing energy consumption per production unit by 13% compared to base year production volume per unit of production, due in part to solar panel installation and the renewal of equipment.
Each year, we established a system where each site formulates an annual plan for energy conservation and report on its progress. We also aggregated the reported figures and provided feedback to raise and instill awareness of energy conservation. In addition, a collection of improvement case studies, together with videos of improvement methods, is posted on the company intranet for sharing.
Since the past, we made an "Environmental Diagnosis" at each site, focusing on five main areas: environmental regulations, environmental risks, environmental management, energy conservation activities, and waste reduction activities, in order to create a system that leads to improvements.
Value Chain Initiatives
Promotion of Green Procurement
We distribute Green Procurement Guidelines to our clients and promote initiatives for environmental conservation through our business activities. The collection rate of guideline agreement forms in FY2023 was 100% in Japan and 94% overseas. In addition, we established rules for green procurement of stationery, office supplies, and office equipment used in business, and promote the preferential purchase of Eco Mark and Energy Star Mark products. We also share the environmental policies of car manufacturers and actively cooperate in environmental activities.
Reduction of CO2 Emissions from Logistics (in Japan)
Emissions of CO2 from logistics in Japan were reduced by 20.6% from FY 2017, indicating the impact of activities to reduce CO2 emissions in transportation. Moreover, we shortened the transportation distance and introduced full trailers and many additional modal shift* initiatives such as ferry transportation in FY 2017 to further reduce CO2 emissions.
Glossary
Modal shift* Switching freight transportation using trucks and other automobiles to railroads and ships with lower environmental impact
Resource Recycling and Control and Reduction of Substances of Concern
Waste Reduction (Global)
In FY 2023, the waste reduction rate per production unit decreased by 28% from FY 2022 as a result of efforts such as progress management by formulating waste reduction plans and information sharing through examples of waste reduction examples. We will incorporate these examples into the plan for the next year.
Control and Reduction of Substances of Concern
Toward strengthening the management of substances of concern, we adopted the system of the Sumitomo Electric Industries Group. For our Group companies in Japan, the amount of PRTR*-regulated substances released increased by 26% from FY 2022 due to the impact of increased production. Substances subject to mandatory reporting included antimony and its compounds, methylnaphthalene, and nickel compounds.
Moreover, in compliance with the Law Concerning Special Measures against PCB Waste, the SWS Group stores PCB-containing devices, provides the required notifications, and follows through with disposal.
Conservation of Water Resources (Global)
Recognizing the importance of water resources as natural capital, the SWS Group conducts a wide range of initiatives to reduce water use at each site, for example by inspecting water pipes once a month and purifying used water for use in toilet drainage. Through these efforts of each company, the Group’s water consumption rate decreased by 13% in FY 2023 compared to FY 2022. We also conduct a water risk assessment at all SWS Group companies. Using the results, we are working to identify water risks that could affect the continuity of our business.
Conservation of Biodiversity
Under the environmental conservation philosophy of the SWS Group, global efforts are being made for conserving biodiversity.
SUMI PHILIPPINES WIRING SYSTEMS CORPORATION (SPWS) is working with the environmental group ENRO Bataan to promote the importance of marine conservation through a mangrove reforestation project, contributing to the conservation of the ecosystem.
Glossary
PRTR* A mechanism for assessing, collecting, and publicly releasing data about various types of harmful chemicals released into the environment, including source and quantity, and details as to whether or not they have been trans-ferred off-site for treatment with other waste
Environmentally Conscious Products
Our group launched the "Eco Symbol Mark Certification System" in May 2005, based on standards compliant with ISO 14021, to contribute to the preservation of the global environment through our products. Starting from FY 2023, we have contributed to the increase in sales of eco-friendly products in line with the standards of the Sumitomo Electric Group.
