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.
Click here (Sustainability "Environmental Goals and Performance") for the environmental conservation effect in environmental accounting.
Click here (R&D"Drug Discovery Research and Product Development Research") for the Safety Management Rules for Recombinant DNA Experiments and Information on the Safety of Genome Modification Facilities (in Japanese only)
Click here (External link) for the contents of the Declaration of Biodiversity by Keidanren and Action Policy (Revised Edition) and its supporting companies and organizations.
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, in October 2020, we kicked off the Owls Forest Conservation Project to continue with the environmental conservation activities in the area.
The status of Sumitomo Pharma Forest activities in which employees and their families have participated is as follows.
| Fiscal year | Participants |
|---|---|
| 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.
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A nesting box for owls made by participating employees and their families installed in the Sumitomo Pharma Forest located in the city of Kishiwada (November 2, 2019)
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Attaching name tags to 400 seedlings planted (December 21, 2019)
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With the change of our company name, we renewed this signboard in April 2022.
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.
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Sunovion team landscaping project at Born Learning Trails (U.S.) |
Sunovion team at Mass Audubon (U.S.) |
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Sunovion team landscaping at Virginia Thurston's Healing Garden reflection pool (U.S)
Since the beginning of Sunovion's 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 employees volunteering their time to give back to their communities throughout North America.
In the U.S., Sunovion 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 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 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.
In Canada, the Sunovion team has volunteered to improve the YMCA Cedar Glen Outdoor Centre, 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, which helps restore forest cover and habitat in-and-around streams near regional roads, to repair habitats and support better waterways for endangered fish.