Biodiversity
At Sumitomo Pharma, we recognize that our business activities reap significant benefits from biodiversity and
that the environmental impact associated with our business activities can have various effects on
biodiversity. We have particularly focused on water resources, which are essential for our business
activities, including the manufacturing of pharmaceutical products, and have worked on reducing our water
withdrawal on an ongoing basis since fiscal 2017. We believe that reducing water withdrawal leads to the
protection of water sources and it is therefore an activity that indirectly contributes to the conservation of
biodiversity. We currently have a medium- to long-term environmental goal of "reducing water withdrawal by 12%
from the fiscal 2018 level by fiscal 2030," and are promoting initiatives based on this goal. In addition,
there has also been growing concern about the impact of climate change on biodiversity in recent years. In May
2021, we declared that we "aim at zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions (Scope 1 and 2) by fiscal 2050", and we
have been working on reducing GHG emissions continuously.
In addition, we will work on the conservation of biodiversity and sustainable use of its components through
environmental conservation by our efforts such as promotion of the 3Rs (reduce, reuse, and recycle) of waste
and promotion of chemical substance management. We compare major environmental impacts with those of the
previous year as effects of environmental protection in environmental accounting to confirm that no new
factors which can impact biodiversity are generated.
Raising the awareness of individuals and long-term initiatives are also important for the conservation of
biodiversity and sustainable use of its components. We have set for ourselves a goal of "proactive
participation in community activities that contribute to biodiversity" and have been actively engaged in
social contribution activities such as environmental conservation efforts in cooperation with diverse
organizations and groups.
Furthermore, when conducting gene recombination experiments for drug discovery research, we comply with the
Act on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Biological Diversity through Regulations on the Use of Living
Modified Organisms (Cartagena Act)" and ensure their safety management.
The aforementioned course of action and goals are compatible with the Declaration of Biodiversity by Keidanren and Action Policy (Revised Edition), which aims to realize a sustainable society through building a society in harmony with nature, and we endorse its aim.
For more information on details of the environmental conservation effect in
environmental accounting, please see "Environmental Goals and
Performance."
For more information on details of the Safety Management Rules for Recombinant DNA Experiments and Information
on the Safety of Genome Modification Facilities, please see "Drug Discovery
Research / Product Development Research."
For more information on details of the contents of the Declaration of Biodiversity by Keidanren and Action
Policy (Revised Edition) and its supporting companies and organizations, please see "Keidanren Initiative
for Biodiversity Conservation." (in Japanese only)
Owls Forest Conservation Project at the Sumitomo Pharma Forest
Shortage of manpower for the proper maintenance of forests in Japan today is a serious problem, sounding an alarm to deterioration of forests' biodiversity conservation function. Invasion by pervasive bamboos is particularly serious in many places, and is adversely affecting conservation of biodiversity. The importance of collaborative forest restoration efforts among the government, business and local communities is strongly felt for sustainable maintenance of healthy forests.
Between October 2015 and September 2020, Sumitomo Pharma participated in the Owls Forest Restoration Project,
which was promoted by the City of Kishiwada, Osaka. Within the framework of Osaka Prefecture's "Adopt Forest"
program, we worked together with a local NPO called Konoyama Conservation Club.
We named a 0.45-hectare-large portion of satoyama natural woodland in Sangayama-cho, Kishiwada City as
"Sumitomo Pharma Forest" to rejuvenate and maintain the rich natural environment where owls--the apex predator
of the ecological pyramid in this area--can live. With this aim in mind, we responsibly endeavored to form a
sound satoyama environment through a five-year plan. As a result, Sumitomo Pharma Forest and its surrounding
forests have been improved, with owls returning to nest boxes installed near the Forest and restoration of the
ecosystem being observed.
In order to maintain and improve this ecosystem, we engaged in environmental conservation activities in this
area as part of “Owls Forest Conservation Project” from October 2020 to September 2023.
The status of Sumitomo Pharma Forest activities in which employees and their families have participated is as follows.
| Fiscal year | Participants |
|---|---|
| 2022 | 54 |
| 2021 | 13※ |
| 2020 | 20※ |
| 2019 | 128 |
| 2018 | 127 |
| 2017 | 187 |
| 2016 | 166 |
| 2015 | 136 |
※In fiscal 2020 and 2021, we refrained from the activities to prevent the spread of COVID-19
Splints were installed using felled bamboo to clearly distinguish between planted trees and weeds (April, 2023)
At the start of each activity, explain the purpose of the activity and safety measures (May, 2023)
Installing a fence using felled bamboo around a pond in the Sumitomo Pharma Forest (May, 2023)
Comment from the Person in Charge
We continually engaged in this project for eight years, starting from October 2015 until September 2023. Sumitomo Pharma Forest has changed significantly since the start of the project. As a result of cutting down bamboo and continual management, many different animals and plants have appeared, and owls came back to neighboring forests. Although the project came to a close in September 2023 due to some positive outcomes observed, I believe the significance of our initiative remains profound. It brought together many employees under the common objective of recreating and maintaining a rich natural environment that can be a suitable habitat for owls.
Yumi Masui and Shinjiro Kori
CSR Group, Corporate Communications
(The divisions that the person featured in this article belonged to and the names of those divisions are
current as of the time of the interview.)
Other Environment Protection and Community Dialog Activities in Japan and Abroad
We and our group companies attach great importance on involvement in and communication with the local
communities in which we operate. We actively take part in periodic tree-planting and other forest conservation
activities, as well as community beautification works. Every one of our employees recognizes that he/she is a
member of the local community and avails of any opportunity to work together and play a constructive role in
its healthy growth.
In addition, our employees are constantly aware of the environmental impact our business activities generate
at every operation of research and development, manufacturing, distribution and sales. At all of our
establishments, efforts are made to continually reduce this environmental impact.
Since Sunovion (currently, Sumitomo Pharma America, Inc. and Sumitomo Pharma Canada, Inc.) began the community service program “Hands On!” in 2012, many projects have involved maintaining and improving various parks, forests, and other landscapes and grounds while providing enhanced opportunities for community members to enjoy a variety of outdoor spaces. These projects have involved hundreds of Sunovion (currently, Sumitomo Pharma America, Inc. and Sumitomo Pharma Canada, Inc.) employees volunteering their time to give back to their communities throughout North America.
In the U.S., Sunovion (currently, Sumitomo Pharma America, Inc.) has volunteered at United Way Born Learning Trails, which have a series of interactive signs and activities for children and their families to create quality engagement opportunities when walking or visiting a local playground along the trail routes. Employees have participated in raking, brush removal, and repairing and painting trail signs. The Sunovion (currently, Sumitomo Pharma America, Inc. and Sumitomo Pharma Canada, Inc.) team has also supported Mass Audubon, which consists of over 50 wildlife sanctuaries across the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, from Cape Cod to the Berkshires. Volunteer activities have included raking, brush removal and trail maintenance, particularly on the Wachusett Meadows Trail in Princeton, Massachusetts, near Sunovion's (currently, Sumitomo Pharma America, Inc.) Marlborough office and at the Virginia Thurston Healing Garden Cancer Support Center, designed for patients diagnosed with cancer, caregivers and families, located on 8 acres of woodlands and gardens in Harvard, Massachusetts.
Sunovion (currently, Sumitomo Pharma America, Inc.) team landscaping project at Born Learning Trails
Sunovion (currently, Sumitomo Pharma America, Inc.) team at Mass Audubon
Sunovion (currently, Sumitomo Pharma America, Inc.) team landscaping project at the Virginia Thurston Healing Garden Cancer Support Center
In Canada, the Sunovion (currently, Sumitomo Pharma Canada, Inc.) team has volunteered to improve the YMCA Cedar Glen Outdoor Centre※1, which is situated on 263 acres and offers children, youth and adults opportunities for outdoor experiential education programs. The team has also worked with Ontario Streams※2, which helps restore forest cover and habitat in-and-around streams near regional roads, to repair habitats and support better waterways for endangered fish.