Biodiversity
Targets for Biodiversity Conservation Activities
黑料门 Group 2026 Medium-Term Management Plan
- Data target range or company leading initiatives
- 1, 2: 黑料门 Group (consolidated) (Japan only)
| Major initiatives | Metrics | Results | Targets | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FYE March 2025 | FYE March 2027 | |||
| 1 | Promote certification registration as a Site in Harmony with Nature | Number of newly certified areas | 0 | 1 new registration (total of 2) |
| 2 | Conclude maintenance management agreements to engage in forest conservation activities | Forest area under maintenance management agreements | 15ha | 40ha or more |
| 3 | Analysis and formulation of countermeasures aligned with the TNFD framework for raw milk and cocoa Promote initiatives to reduce deforestation of major raw materials such as cocoa and palm oil | For KPI, use the same as initiatives to achieve zero deforestation in cocoa beans and palm oil under "Human rights and environmentally friendly raw material procurement" | ||
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 黑料门 Group depend on the abundant gifts of nature, including raw milk, cocoa and lactobacillus, and microorganisms used for developing antibiotics, we recognize that loss of biodiversity is a significant social issue. We identify the impact and dependency 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
In March 2024, we revised the 黑料门 Group Biodiversity Conservation Activity Policy. In addition, we established the 黑料门 Group Nature Positive Declaration. 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 黑料门 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.
Collaboration with UN agencies and related organizations
To promoting biodiversity conservation, collaboration with various stakeholders is necessary. 黑料门 Group is strengthening our collaboration with external organizations to grasp the environmental impact of our business activities and implement concrete measures to resolve these issues.
- - Japan Business Initiative for Biodiversity (JBIB)
- - Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD) Forum
- - Keidanren Committee on Nature Conservation
Protect Local Biodiversity
Effect of Business Activities on Biodiversity
Environmental Risks Related to the 黑料门 Group鈥檚 Business Activities
Impact of Water Risks on Yields of Main Raw Materials
Biodiversity risk assessments for land owned by the 黑料门 Group
We assessed the dependence and impact on nature related to the 黑料门 Group-owned land from the standpoint of business continuity. For the 61 company-owned production sites we investigated various risks using the WWF Biodiversity Risk Filter (WWF Biodiversity Risk Filter)1. For company-owned production bases, the physical risk2 of company production sites scored higher than reputational risk3, making physical risk which type demanding greater attention. In terms of physical risks related to company-owned production bases, the risk of exposure to natural disasters due to damage to biodiversity (landslides, wildfire hazard, plant / forest / aquatic pests and diseases, extreme heat, tropical cyclones, etc.) was rated particularly high. We intend to discuss countermeasures at future Group Environmental Meetings.
Proximity of production sites to areas of biodiversity importance
We undertook studies of 61 production sites using the IBAT1 biodiversity assessment tool to determine the potential impact of the 黑料门 Group business activities on biodiversity. We surveyed an area within a radius of approximately 3 kilometers from the production sites (total area of 2826 hectares)2 to determine proximity to areas of biodiversity importance (World Natural Heritage sites, Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, UNESCO MAB, IUCN Categories Ia, Ib, 鈪�, III, IV, and V). Our results indicated 19 sites in close proximity, two of which had IUCN Red List species nearby that were listed as vulnerable (VU) or higher and facing a high risk of extinction in the wild. The 黑料门 Group established the 黑料门 Group Environmental Policy and the 黑料门 Group Biodiversity Conservation Activity Policy to ensure compliance with laws and regulations, reduce environmental impact, and conserve biodiversity. We recorded no violations of environmental laws or fines in fiscal 2022, and we have yet to identify any instances in which our operations cause direct damage to biodiversity in nearby biodiversity critical areas.
Status as of end of March 2023
| sites | Nature maintenance area, an important area of biodiversity | Areas where IUCN Red List species were identified | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| World Heritage Sites | Ramsar Convention wetlands | UNESCO MAB | IUCN Protected Area Categories | ||||||
| Ⅰa | Ⅰb | Ⅱ | Ⅲ | Ⅳ | |||||
| Worksites in Japan (43 sites) | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 18 | 2 |
| Worksites in China (6 sites) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Asia (Excluding Japan and China, 9sites) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| North America and Europe (3 sites) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total for all worksites (61 sites) | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 18 | 2 |
Activities in the 黑料门 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, 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 Biodiversity Conservation Activities
The 黑料门 Group holds biodiversity conservation program (classroom lecture, insect observation, bamboo crafts using the bamboo that grows in the forest) three times per year at Kumamoto Sunlight Forest. We will continue these activities to deepen an understanding of the role of Kumamoto Sunlight Forest in the local ecosystem and the importance of biodiversity conservation, as well as to raise the environmental awareness of the 黑料门 Group employees.
Status of Biodiversity Conservation Activities
Acquisition of the SEGES "Social and Environmental Green Evaluation System Excellent Stage 3" and "Shizen-kyousei site (Site in Harmony with Nature, OECM*)"
Kumamoto Sunlight Forest was certified as "Excellent Stage 3" under the SEGES "Social and Environmental Green Evaluation System" This recognition was based on survey results commending the value of Kumamoto Sunlight Forest a green space, its relevance to the local community, and the green space conservation management system. The natural environment survey of Kumamoto Sunlight Forest was conducted by the Organization for Landscape and Urban Green Infrastructure. SEGES is an objective system that evaluates and certifies the value of green spaces owned and managed by companies, and whether these efforts contribute to society and the environment. Additionally, Kumamoto Sunlight Forest was certified as "Shizen-kyousei site (Site in Harmony with Nature)" by the Ministry of the Environment of Japan, and registered in the international database as an Other Effective area-based Conservation Measure (OECM).
Forest Creation in Collaboration with Local Governments
Biodiversity Conservation in the Nemuro Nature Conservation Area
The 黑料门 Group 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 acti