Environment Management
Benesse Group Environmental Policy
Environmental issues are an important global concern, and we believe that corporations have a duty to actively promote environmental activities. To fulfill our corporate philosophy, "Benesse = Supporting the Well-Being of Everyone," the Benesse Group has positioned the environment as a key management priority, and is actively promoting initiatives according to the characteristics of each of our business domains, which include education and childcare, learning for university students and adults, and senior/nursing care.
We adhere to all environmental laws and regulations when undertaking environmental activities. At the same time, we have every person involved in our business proactively take part in environmental activities while working to continuously improve environmental management systems and environmental performance. Details of these activities are as follows:
- (1) Promote climate change countermeasures, biodiversity restoration, and environmental considerations for products, services, and sales activities
We provide products, services, and marketing tools that are safe and have a low environmental impact. To achieve this, we promote environmentally friendly design by implementing measures to combat climate change, including reducing GHG emissions through resource conservation, promoting resource recycling, such as recycling to restore biodiversity, non-use of hazardous substances, more efficient use of resources, conservation of water resources, and more efficient water use. These activities will be enhanced by our ongoing digital transformation. - (2) Promote energy conservation, renewable energy, waste reduction, and recycling of resources, as well as efficient use of resources and conservation and efficiency of water resources, with the aim of combating climate change and restoring biodiversity
In our business activities, we strive to prevent environmental pollution and reduce environmental impact. Specifically, we implement climate change measures to reduce GHG emissions, including the promotion of energy conservation and the introduction of renewable energy, as well as waste reduction. We also promote recycling and other resource cycles with the aim of restoring biodiversity, non-use of hazardous substances, more efficient use of resources, and conservation of water resources, and more efficient water use. These activities will be further strengthened as our digital transformation progresses and new technologies are introduced. - (3) Promote environmental education by utilizing business characteristics
With the aim of realizing a society that achieves carbon neutrality and nature positivity by 2050, we actively promote environmental education and human resource development by making use of our business characteristics. - (4) Engage communities and society through collaboration with stakeholders
In cooperation with various stakeholders, we engage in environmental activities such as climate change countermeasures, biodiversity restoration, resource recycling, non-use of hazardous substances, efficient use of resources, conservation of water resources, and efficient water use, as well as community activities.
This Environmental Policy will be made known to all employees and other personnel involved in the Group's business activities, and will also be disclosed to the public.
August 1, 2011
Revised April 2, 2024
Benesse Holdings, Inc.
Promotional Framework
We promote our initiatives on sustainability and ESG, including climate change, through the following framework.
At Benesse Corporation, we promote education on the environment and a reduction in the environmental burden, including a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, by establishing an environmental supervisor in each division and creating annual plans with customers and at each business stage.
At Benesse Style Care Group, we position sustainability and ESG as key themes and actively engage in discussions on these topics.
To promote initiatives related to sustainability and ESG across the entire group, our Chief Sustainability Officer, who is also an Executive Officer, serves as the responsible leader. They formulate and implement strategies for sustainable management of the group and oversee the overall sustainability functions of the group.
Our promotional framework includes discussions on important sustainability and ESG issues through various management meetings involving our CEO, Vice President, and other Executive Officers, as well as the presidents of group companies: Benesse Style Care Co., Ltd., Benesse Carios Co., Ltd., Benesse Palette Co., Ltd., and Benesse Senior Support Co., Ltd.
Matters related to sustainability and ESG are regularly reported and discussed at management meetings and the Board of Directors to ensure proper oversight by the Board.
The Board of Directors, chaired by the Chairman, makes important management decisions and serves as a forum to discuss strategic sustainability and ESG issues necessary for the sustainable growth of our group.
Environmental audits
At Benesse, we implement screenings and internal audits once per year through a certifying body based on ISO14001. The internal audits are held to improve the environmental management system from the previous screening (target for FY2024 audit: Benesse Corporation)
There were no major instances of non-conformity but there were two opportunities for improvement in the screening by the certifying body.
- ■ Major Instances of Non-conformity or Examples of Recommended Items (Opportunities for Improvement)
- • BL Center: Since there are no hazardous materials handled, the handling of hazardous materials under Article 24 of the Fire Service Act has been removed from the regulatory registration.
-
• Tama Building:
- 1) Waste paint cans stored at the waste storage area are placed on trays to prevent leaks caused by corrosion or tipping.
- 2) Verification of the management status regarding the calibration of pH meters installed at the wastewater treatment facilities.
- • Contribute to address social issues through business activities, such as promoting the digitization of educational materials to support the field of education
- • Continue to demonstrate a high level of awareness and proactive efforts toward GHG emission reductions, SDGs, and ESG management as a leading company in environmental initiatives.
- • Received high evaluations from external assessment organizations, ensuring transparency and objectivity in our initiatives.
- • Foster a culture of proactive improvement within the organization trhough daily operations, with ongoing initiatives aligned with organizational goals.
Status of the FY2024 Environmental Audit (cases)
| No. | Items to Check (total) | Instances of Non-conformity or Recommended Items | Positive Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Work processes（34） | 2 | 32 |
| 2 | Products and services（22） *including environmental education |
22 | |
| 3 | EMS, etc.（7） | 7 |
ISO 14001 Certification
In 2004, Benesse acquired ISO14001 certification, an international standard for environmental management systems. Efforts are underway to deliver environmentally-conscious products and services and reduce our environmental burden in our business activities based on the Benesse Group Environmental Policy and Guidelines. The Benesse Group also aims to increase the number of personnel capable of promoting environmental education, understanding environmental problems, and engaging in environmentally-conscious actions.
* Transition to 2015 version complete (FY2017), and continuation review for 2024 complete
Expiry date: 11 November 2025
PDCA in the Environmental Management System
Branches Covered under the Environmental Management System
| Base Name | Location | Business Content |
|---|---|---|
| Okayama Headquarters | 3-7-17 Minamigata, Kita-ku, Okayama-shi, Okayama | Planning, creation, and sales of distance learning materials, trial exams for schools, career path materials, magazines, and other related products |
| Tokyo Headquarters Tama Office |
1-34 Ochiai, Tama-shi, Tokyo | |
| Tokyo Headquarters Shinjuku Office |
Shinjuku-Mitsui Building, 2-1-1 Nishi Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo | |
| Tokyo Headquarters Hatsudai Office |
1-53-6 Hatsudai, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo | Planning, creation, sales, and alliances for teaching materials for the classroom business |
| Benesse Logistics Center | 660 Osafune-cho Osafune, Setouchi-shi, Okayama | Storage and shipping of distance learning materials, trial exams for schools, career path materials, magazines, and other related products |
（As of June 2024）
Environmental Initiatives
We are implementing various environmental initiatives in line with our environmental policy. Please refer to the following for details.
Environmental Laws and Regulations
Japan: (1) Energy Saving Law, (2) Waste Disposal Act, (3) Containers and Packaging Recycling Law, (4) Ordinance of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare No. 9 of 2021 (mandating BCP measures in nursing care facilities)
Overseas: Environment Basic Act (Taiwan)
There were no violations of environmental laws or regulations in FY2024.
External Evaluations and Awards
Leadership level A for CDP 2024 Climate Change
Benesse Holdings
According to the CDP 2024 Climate Change, we were selected as a company with a leadership level of A regarding greenhouse gas emission activities and activities to reduce and adapt to the effects of climate change.
The following are past CDP Climate Change assessments.
| Year | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CDP Climate Change | A | A | A- | A- | A |
Received the highest rating of "Leader" in the CDP2024 Supplier Engagement Assessment
Benesse Holdings
We have been rated as a 2024 CDP Supplier Engagement Leader, the highest level of the CDP Supplier Engagement Rating, for six consecutive years. The Supplier Engagement Assessment (SEA, formerly known as SER), conducted annually by CDP, evaluates companies' efforts to address climate change issues within their supply chains. Companies that receive an A rating are recognized on the Supplier Engagement Leaderboard.
Acquired Science Based Targets (SBT) Certification
Benesse Corporation
Benesse's greenhouse gas emission targets for 2030 and 2050 have been approved by the SBTi as science-based targets suitable for "keeping the global average temperature increase well below 2°C and below 1.5°C compared to pre-industrial levels" under the Paris Agreement. They have thus obtained SBTi certification from the Initiative. Furthermore, for Scope 1 and 2, the target has been updated to a '1.5°C' target and re-certified as SBTi. For Scope 3, a 2°C target has been set. With 2018 as the base year, the following reduction targets have been set.
- ・Scope 1 and 2: 52.8% in 2030, 100% in 2041 and 100% reduction in 2050.
- ・Scope 3: 14.8% reduction in 2030, 39.4% in 2050.