Sumitomo Rubber Industries (SRI) says its 50-year old Shirakawa factory in Japan has been recognised nationally as a “sustainably managed natural site” by the Ministry of the Environment of Japan.
The facility, which began operations in 1974, has engaged in a variety of activities, including forest management and conservation of endangered plant species.
The certification was awarded for the factory’s efforts to preserve rare plant species such as yellow floating heart (Nymphoides peltata), a near threatened species, and Asian fawn lily (Erythronium japonicum).
In addition, Sumitomo Rubber GENKI Forest, a forest developed by the company in the factory’s vicinity as satoyama (a working forest that is maintained and managed by humans), was also recognised as an outstanding site for supporting a diverse range of plant species and their habitats.
Moreover, the company adds it is fostering interaction with local communities by hosting community events and providing saplings grown at the factory to local people.
Recognising the Preservation of Biodiversity as one of the issues that we need to solve, Sumitomo Rubber Industries Group has identified priority issues and conducted the regional analysis of these issues. Meanwhile, after the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD) released disclosure recommendations (TNFD Recommendations) in September 2023, it registered as a TNFD Adopter and were included in the list of “Early Adopters.”
Nationally Certified Sustainably Managed Natural Sites are recognised by the Ministry of the Environment of Japan as sites that “contribute to biodiversity conservation through private entities’ initiatives” to achieve the “30by30” target, which is a goal of effectively conserving at least 30% of land and sea areas as healthy ecosystems by 2030. The certified areas are also registered on the international database as Other Effective area-based Conservation Measures (OECMs).