Governance
To promote sustainability management, we have established a "Sustainability Management Committee" chaired by the president and composed of all directors and managing executive officers. The Environmental Management Committee and the Risk Management & Compliance Committee, which are specialized committees under the Sustainability Management Committee, are working to solve problems associated with climate change and natural resources capital for the Taiheiyo Cement Group, formulating action plans and conducting self-evaluations of activity results. The content is deliberated by the Sustainability Management Committee, and the results are reported to the Board of Directors.
Strategy
The Taiheiyo Cement Group's quarry operations are conducted with the recognition that limestone mining for raw materials depends on and affects nature, and we are continuously implementing measures to conserve the natural environment of the quarries and surrounding areas. In cement production, we utilize water resources for cooling plant equipment. We are working to analyze water risks and understand water usage to ensure appropriate use, as water-related challenges may arise in the future.
In the future, in order to clarify our contact points with nature, we are considering using methods such as the LEAP*2 approach based on the recommendations of the TNFD*1 to understand the risks and impacts on nature, and incorporating them into our strategy as a long-term plan.
*1 Abbreviation for Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures
*2 Guidance developed by the TNFD, which stands for the four phases: "Locate," "Evaluate," "Assess" and "Prepare"
Risk and Impact Management
Based on materiality, we are formulating quarry restoration plans and managing water resources, and we understand the risks and situations of our quarries and plants.
Biodiversity
The Taiheiyo Cement Group's quarry operations extract limestone, so the impact on the environment and ecosystem in the development area is unavoidable. In quarry development, based on environmental surveys of the development area, including biodiversity and water resources, we conduct preliminary assessments of the impact of development with the cooperation of experts, and formulate development plans while exchanging opinions with stakeholders. We regularly monitor the surrounding environment and report on environmental impacts to stakeholders. In addition, based on the GCCA guidelines, we have set a target quarry restoration plan formulation rate of 90% or more.
Conservation of water resources
The water used at the Taiheiyo Cement Group's cement plants is not a raw material for cement products, but is mainly used for cooling plant equipment and, as a result, it evaporates. We are working to reduce the impact on water areas by recycling all water used in our plants, except for household wastewater, and we are analyzing water resource risks at our cement plants using the WRF*3. In addition, we are conserving water sources by managing water resources based on the GCCA guidelines.
*3 Abbreviation for Water Risk Filter, a water risk map developed by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF)
Indicators and Targets
We have positioned proactive efforts toward natural resources capital, such as the conservation and recovery of water resources and biodiversity, as an important management challenge in our environmental management policy, and we are conducting impact assessments and management in our business activities with the aim of achieving a nature-positive society. In the future, based on the recommendations of the TNFD, we aim to improve the accuracy of our analysis methods and review the scope of our assessment and priority areas. We will also examine the indicators and targets to be managed based on the results of the assessment of the impact of our business activities.
Overview of Assessment of Impact and Dependence on Nature
The following is an overview of the Taiheiyo Cement Group's dependence and impact on nature.
| Process | Office | Dependence on Nature | Impact on Nature |
| Limestone quarrying | Limestone quarries |
・Quarrying of mineral resources
・Other natural resources
|
・Land conversion
・Impact on ecosystems (terrestrial and fresh water)
|
| Cement production | Cement plant |
・Use of water resources (fresh water, sea water, ground water)
|
・Water use (fresh water, sea water)
|
*4 Abbreviation for Integrated Biodiversity Assessment Tool provided by BirdLife International
