Environmental Management
Positioning environmental preservation as an important challenge in management, the Tokai Rika Group continuously carries out activities through the Environmental Committee organization.
Enhancing and promoting consolidated environmental management
Promotion system
Environmental conservation activity policies, medium- to long-term targets, and responses to important issues are deliberated and decided by the Company-wide Environment Committee, which is chaired by the president. Under the Company-wide Environmental Committee, there are the Production Environment Committee, Product Environment Committee, and Green Procurement Committee. Furthermore, from fiscal 2021, we established a Carbon Neutral Strategy WG to promote cross-company projects based on prompt decision-making by a study group that includes the president.
Establishment and implementation of an environmental management system
Status of EMS Certification
In order to continuously improve environmental performance, we are setting up Environmental Management Systems (EMS) in each base and acquiring external certifications. Tokai Rika and all overseas production bases have acquired ISO14001 certification, and domestic group companies have acquired the Eco Action 21 certification in addition to the ISO14001.
Tokai Rika Tohoku, a newly established subsidiary in Akita Prefecture, is also preparing to acquire Eco Action 21 certification.
Reduction of environmental risks
We evaluate environmental risks regarding production equipment and work done on our premises, and have implemented measures such as automatic detection of abnormalities, emergency shutdown, and switching to emergency tanks in preparation for emergencies such as leakage or spillage of abnormal wastewater. In addition, we have established a procedure manual, communication network, and necessary equipment to respond promptly in the event of an emergency, and conduct periodic drills. In FY 2023, there were no environmental abnormalities or complaints.
Promotion of environmental activities in cooperation with business partners
Cooperation with suppliers
Tokai Rika and its overseas bases have established Green Procurement Guidelines to understand the concept of environmental conservation, and are strengthening environmental management globally. In addition, we conduct hearings through on-the-spot inspections and provide improvement support to member companies of the Kyouryoku-kai organized by suppliers to improve the levels of both the Tokai Rika Group and our suppliers.
Cooperation with industry groups
Japan Auto Parts Industries Association
Our company is a member of the Japan Auto Parts Industries Association. In order to achieve the Voluntary Environmental Action Plan established to promote the creation of an Earth-friendly environment, we are working with member companies on measures to prevent global warming, including the reduction of CO2 emissions. We are also working to build a recycling promotion system throughout the entire automobile industry.
EPOC (Environmental Partnership Organizing Club)
We belong to the EPOC’s Resource Circulation Subcommittee, which is mainly active in the industrial world in the Chubu region; we also participate as operational staff. EPOC conducts research, exchanges, practices, and information exchanges related to activities for reducing environmental load, transcending the boundaries of industries and business categories.
Human resource development
Environmental education
We systematically provide the following environmental education (we also use e-learning): training by job grade for new employees and promoted employees, training by function for acquiring specialized knowledge and skills such as environmental laws and energy conservation, and training by workplace according to the characteristics of each workplace, etc. We have opened an energy-saving dojo to develop human resources to promote energy-saving activities in each workplace. We have established a “First stage level course” and “Second stage level course” depending on the level of the participants, which serve as a place to pass down techniques acquired through energy-saving patrols and energy-saving improvements to high-consumption equipment.
Awareness activities
During Environment Month in June, we are implementing a variety of projects to raise the environmental awareness of our employees, including distributing educational videos on environmental KYT (hazard prediction training), carbon neutrality, and resource recycling.
In addition, in order to promote interest in energy conservation and awareness of improvements, the company posts CO2 emission results, renewable energy information, and examples of improvements on digital signage every month.
The examples of interest can be viewed through the environmental portal site, which also helps employees to become aware of energy conservation on their own.
Disclosure of environmental information
In response to the growing interest in our non-financial information, we are actively promoting the disclosure of information related to the environment, while working to further enhance communication with stakeholders.
Environmental data
Detailed environmental data of our Group is published in a separate Sustainability Data Book. It includes data on raw materials and energy, water and wastewater, air emissions, and waste with reference to the GRI Sustainability Reporting Standards.
Input resources and emissions to the environment in business activities
We comprehensively understand the energy and resources used in our business activities, as well as the CO2 emissions and waste generated, and are working to reduce our environmental load.
Environmental accounting
We understand the costs and effects of environmental conservation, and use it as an index to promote more rational environmental conservation activities.
| Main efforts | FY2019 | FY2020 | FY2021 | FY2022 | FY2023 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Business area costs | Pollution prevention: costs of preventing pollution (atmosphere, water quality, noise, etc.) |
271 | 277 | 307 | 261 | 259 |
| Global environmental conservation: costs required to prevent global warming |
789 | 1.090 | 1,171 | 1,173 | 1,434 | |
| Resource recycling: costs for water disposal, waste deduction, and recycling |
295 | 252 | 210 | 197 | 195 | |
| Upstream/downstream costs | Differences arising from purchase of environmentally friendly products, fuels, raw materials, etc. |
23 | 22 | 21 | 22 | 24 |
| Management activity costs | Costs for building and operation an environmental management system, monitoring environmental load, and protecting nature and planting greenery associated with business activities |
198 | 192 | 507 | 506 | 535 |
| R&D costs | Costs required for research and development of products that contribute to environmental conservation |
417 | 305 | 386 | 452 | 377 |
| Social activity costs | Costs for environmental improvement measures such as nature conservation, greening, and beautification, excluding business sites |
40 | 49 | 108 | 133 | 124 |
| Environmental damage costs | Remediation costs for environmental pollution, insurance premiums for environmental damage, etc. |
18 | 16 | 16 | 17 | 18 |
| Total | 2,051 | 2.203 | 2,726 | 2,762 | 2,967 | |
| FY2019 | FY2020 | FY2021 | FY2022 | FY2023 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cost reduction through energy saving | 55 | 78 | 45 | 146 | 55 |
| Sales value of recycled materials | 1,118 | 1,073 | 1,534 | 1,524 | 1,657 |
| Reduction of waste disposal costs | 1 | 3 | 3 | 9 | 13 |
| Total | 1,175 | 1,154 | 1,582 | 1,678 | 1,725 |
| FY2019 | FY2020 | FY2021 | FY2022 | FY2023 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Greenhouse gas reduction by energy saving (t-CO2) | 1,139 | 1,613 | 1,454 | 3,002 | 1,123 |
| Amount of recycled materials sold (t) | 9,933 | 8,963 | 8,385 | 7,455 | 8,710 |
| Amount of waste disposal (t) | 31 | 58 | 58 | 181 | 247 |
Approach to environmental accounting
Environmental costs are determined and aggregated on an accrual and payment basis. Therefore, capital investment is recognized as an investment amount, and depreciation expenses are not recorded. Costs that are implemented in conjunction with non-environmental purposes are recorded on a proportional basis. The economic effects associated with environmental preservation activities are tabulated for each fiscal year using three items that allow us to accurately ascertain the amount of costs.