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The Environment Is Positioned as a Key Management Theme at Benesse
The Benesse Group consumes a large volume of resources in the course of producing learning materials, direct mailing brochures and other business products. However, Benesse is well aware that it can only bring to fruition its corporate philosophy of helping people to “live well” by addressing this issue and protecting the environment in which we live. Therefore, we have identified this as a priority matter for management and employees, who are working as one in this regard, guided by our Environmental Policy.
Interview
Environmental Activities Driven by Employees, Not From the Top Down
Toshiya Yoneyama
Environmental Action Office
Management Process Control Department
Benesse obtained ISO 14001 international certification for its environmental management in 2004. Since then, I have been responsible for the Environment Department. I remember at the time some employees were puzzled as to what they should do in terms of the environment when Benesse isn't a manufacturer. However, through annual web-based in-house education and distribution to all employees of a pamphlet including the Environmental Policy and other matters, everyone now shares the same awareness of the environment across the Company.
The Environmental Policy was actually revised in March 2008 because the previous version was rather vague, containing general statements such as “We will all engage in environmental activities.” The new policy contains more concrete statements such as “We will review all our business activities, products and services from an environmental perspective,” and “We will conduct environmental activities that take into account the characteristics of our businesses.” Following this revision, all in-house departments established mission statements for what they could and should do and are working to improve their environmental performance based on these mission statements.
I don't believe that environmental activities are something that should be instigated from the top of the organization. That's why each division has assigned an environmental promotional officer responsible for leading environmental activities. These individuals come up with their own ideas and take charge in promoting various activities from reducing paper consumption to turning off lights when not needed.
We Aim to Make a Unique Environmental Contribution
I have often heard recently that companies should take active measures that have a positive impact on the environment, because no matter how much they try to reduce their environmental impact, it is impossible to have no impact at all. Some people say that companies should aim to have a greater positive impact, going beyond just trying to reduce their environmental burden. Of course reducing CO2 emissions and not releasing harmful substances is extremely important, but companies are being asked to engage in tree-planting and other activities that have a positive impact.
However, any company can plant trees. We have therefore asked what we can do to have a positive environmental impact that is unique to Benesse. I think that is environmental education. By providing correct information about the environment to our several million Shinkenzemi members and large number of other customers, I believe that Benesse can maximize its contribution to the environment.
We will continue to eliminate waste internally and disseminate messages about environmental protection externally as we are determined to continue conducting activities that discharge our social responsibilities.
Environmental Policy
We completely revamped our Environmental Policy in March 2008, positioning the environment as an important element of our management. In addition to activities that reduce our impact on the environment, our Environmental Policy has shifted our focus to making environmental activities an integral part of our core business. Our aim is to widen the scope of our activities to those that have a real impact on society and communities. Based on this commitment, we are actively developing environmental education with strong links to our core business. Furthermore, in January 2006, we registered as a participant in Team Minus 6%, a government-led initiative to save energy.
Environmental Policy
Environmental problems are a major global issue, and we believe companies have an obligation to actively engage in environmental activities. Regarding environmental conservation as a key management issue in realizing the Benesse corporate philosophy of helping people to “live well,” we take positive action that fits with our focus on education. In addition to complying with environmental rules and regulations in our corporate activities and continually improving our environmental management systems and environmental performance, we play an active role in the following areas while encouraging proactive engagement by all individuals involved in our business.
- Promoting Environmentally Responsible Products, Services, and Sales Activities
We encourage environmentally responsible design to ensure our products, services, and sales tools are safe and have low environmental impact. This includes refraining from the use of hazardous substances and conserving resources. - Saving Energy, Reducing Waste, and Recycling
Through the introduction of new technologies and other efforts we promote energy conservation, waste reduction, and recycling in our business activities, striving to prevent environmental pollution. - Social Initiatives
Making the most of our business strengths we promote environmental education, distribute environmental information, and engage in community programs, working with local communities and society as a whole to further environmental activities.
As well as communicating this environmental policy to our employees and everyone who contributes to our corporate activities, we publicize it outside the Company.
Tamotsu Fukushima, President and COO
Revised March 1, 2008
Our Business and the Environment
*1Figures for Okayama Headquarters, Tokyo Head Office (Tama Office), and Benesse Logistics Center only
*2For electricity only
*3For correspondence courses and mail order sales only
Promotional Framework
The President of Benesse has overall responsibility for the promotional framework. And the Environmental Officer manages the Environmental Committee, which acts as an advisory body. The Environmental Promotion Secretariat, meanwhile, is the responsibility of the environmental team in the Environmental Action Office. Corporate Executive Officers are responsible for promoting implementation of EMS initiatives, with Environmental Managers within each division in charge of actual execution. All employees, including temporary staff and part-timers, participate in activities.
Environmental Committee
The Environmental Committee is positioned as an advisory body to the Environmental Officer, who is chairperson of the committee. The committee is made up of nominated promotional officers, persons responsible for the environment in each department and others selected by the committee chairperson. The committee reports on analysis of major changes in the Earth's environment, environmental objectives and targets, and the results of internal audits and management reviews. In addition, it discusses activities of in-house departments.
Internal Audits
The Internal Audit Department, which is made up of employees nominated by each corporate department, conducts internal audits every summer. Newly nominated employees undergo internal auditor training at an outside organization and must understand standards. To date, 163 employees have completed this external training program. Internal auditors serve for two years and in their second year take on the role of experienced auditors, carrying out audits in teams with newly appointed employees.
Promotional Framework
ISO 14001 Certification Status
Benesse obtained ISO 14001 certification on November 12, 2004. The effectiveness of Benesse's environmental management system has been repeatedly confirmed in the renewal screenings that have occurred since, resulting in recertification.
| Business type | Publishing | Hotel/restaurant business |
|---|---|---|
| Scope of registration | (1) Correspondence course learning materials; simulated exams and continuing education literature for schools; magazines; and the planning, production and sale of related products | (2) Provision of accommodation-, food-and drink-related services, etc.; hotel operations |
| Offices registered | Minamigata Headquarters Tama Office Jinbo-cho Office Hatsudai Office Sasazuka Call Center Hokkaido Office Tohoku Office Kanto Office Nagoya Office Hokuriku Office Osaka Office Kyushu Office Kitakyushu Office Benesse Logistics Center |
Benesse Art Site Naoshima/Naoshima Bunkamura Co., Ltd. |
In-House Education
(left) Environmental pamphlet
(right) Benesse uses the web to provide in-house training
Benesse conducts in-house education to promote environmental activities. Specifically, we conduct training on three levels-self-awareness, drills and skills-based on a training plan drafted every year. Regarding the first of these levels, in addition to introductory training for new employees and mid-career hires, all employees receive web-based training and group training once a year from the individual responsible for environmental activities in each department. Benesse also distributes an environmental pamphlet to all employees that includes information on the Environmental Policy, the environmental management system and environmental activities to raise awareness.
