Climate Change Data

Environmental Metrics

ESG Focus Areas

• Environmental Management

Environmental Achievements

• Obtained ISO14001 certification for multiple sites across Japan and internationally.
• Implemented regular internal environmental audits and external evaluations.
• Revised and rebuilt its environmental management system (EMS) to align with the revised ISO 14001:2015 standard.

Social Achievements

• Conducted employee environmental education programs, including lectures from environmental experts.
• Implemented training programs for internal environmental auditors, industrial waste managers, and wastewater treatment facility managers.

Governance Achievements

• Established a system for cross-internal audits to standardize auditing systems and enhance communication among environmental personnel.
• Implemented an "Environmental Close-Call Report" system to encourage reporting of potential environmental incidents and improve preventative measures.

Climate Goals & Targets

Environmental Challenges

• Maintaining consistent environmental standards across multiple international sites.
• Keeping up with evolving environmental regulations and best practices.

Mitigation Strategies

• Regular internal and external audits, company visits, and information exchange meetings.
• Employee training and education programs.
• Implementation of cross-internal audits and environmental close-call reporting.

Supply Chain Management

Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities

Reporting Standards

Frameworks Used: ISO 14001

Certifications: ISO 14001

Environmental Metrics

ESG Focus Areas

• Environment
• Social
• Governance

Environmental Achievements

• Reduced CO2 emissions per unit of production at domestic manufacturing divisions by 1.6% (98.4% compared to FY2018)
• Reduced CO2 emissions at domestic sales and back-office divisions by 6.7% compared to FY2018
• Achieved 99.0% recycling rate of waste and by-products at domestic and major overseas manufacturing divisions
• Switched to FSC®-certified paper packs for soy milk beverages
• Reduced shrink wrap thickness on Del Monte products by 17%
• Reduced weight of hinged cap on Kikkoman Delicious Sauce bottles by 12.5%

Social Achievements

• Implemented various initiatives to improve employee well-being, including childcare leave and a 24-hour health hotline
• Supported various community initiatives, including donations to food banks and participation in cooking experience programs
• Promoted diversity and inclusion in the workplace, with 8.3% of managers being female as of March 31, 2019
• Supported English education in Noda and the YFU exchange student program

Governance Achievements

• Established the Kikkoman Group Corporate Ethics Committee to oversee compliance and prevent corrupt practices
• Implemented a system for evaluating the achievements of inventors to raise employee motivation
• Conducted compliance audits and education programs to strengthen compliance awareness
• No penalties or settlements related to corrupt or anti-competitive practices in FY2019

Climate Goals & Targets

Environmental Challenges

• Reducing CO2 emissions at major overseas manufacturing divisions (slightly increased in FY2019)
• Further reducing water consumption at domestic manufacturing divisions (slightly increased in FY2019)
• Achieving 100% resource recycling rate (99% achieved in FY2019)
• Addressing water stress in regions with manufacturing bases

Mitigation Strategies

• Optimizing energy consumption through plant integration and process improvements
• Installing energy-saving equipment and facilities
• Converting fuel from heavy oil to natural gas
• Reviewing business activities and promoting energy-saving enlightenment activities
• Efficiently reducing water consumption by measuring and controlling water consumption per unit of production
• Reviewing manufacturing processes and equipment, introducing latest technologies and facilities
• Improving knowledge and skills pertaining to wastewater treatment through training courses

Supply Chain Management

Responsible Procurement

• Fair and transparent procurement practices
• Multiple sourcing of ingredients and raw materials
• Collaboration with suppliers on environmentally friendly packaging
• Compliance with Japan’s Act against Delay in Payment of Subcontract Proceeds

Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities

Reporting Standards

Frameworks Used: GRI Standards, UN Global Compact

Certifications: ISO 14001

UN Sustainable Development Goals

• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5
• 6
• 7
• 8
• 9
• 10
• 11
• 12
• 13
• 14
• 15
• 16

The Kikkoman Group is working to contribute to achieving SDGs through our business activities in environmental and social fields.

Sustainable Products & Innovation

• Low-sodium soy sauce
• Easy-to-drink vegetable-based beverages
• Soy milk rich in important nutrients

Environmental Metrics

ESG Focus Areas

• Global Environment
• Food and Health
• People and Society

Environmental Achievements

• Reduced CO2 emissions by 3.9% from FY2019
• Reduced water consumption per unit of production to 8.33 m3/t (18.6% reduction from FY2012)
• Achieved 99.4% resource recycling rate at domestic and major overseas manufacturing divisions

Social Achievements

• Launched Kikkoman Group Human Rights Policy
• Implemented various work arrangements to support employee well-being (childcare leave, flextime, work-from-home)
• Maintained sound labor-management relationships based on mutual trust and respect

Governance Achievements

• Established Kikkoman Group Corporate Ethics Committee
• Implemented compliance education and awareness programs
• No penalties or corrupt/anti-competitive practices reported in FY2021

Climate Goals & Targets

Environmental Challenges

• Climate change impacts on production sites (flooding, strong winds, high tides, forest fires)
• Climate change impacts on raw material procurement (soybeans and wheat)
• Potential increase in production costs due to carbon taxation

Mitigation Strategies

• Developed Business Continuity Plans (BCPs) and conducted natural disaster simulations
• Evaluating measures to mitigate the impact of climate change on soybean procurement
• Investing in capital, fuel conversion, and production efficiency improvements to reduce CO2 emissions; considering additional purchase of renewable energy

Supply Chain Management

Responsible Procurement

• Kikkoman Group Sustainable Sourcing Policy
• Guidelines covering packaging, forest resources, and soybean procurement
• Use of Sedex platform for managing and sharing information on human rights and the environment

Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities

Physical Risks

• Flooding
• Strong winds
• High tides
• Forest fires

Transition Risks

• Changes in the use of natural ingredients
• Carbon taxation

Reporting Standards

Frameworks Used: GRI, UNGC, TCFD

Certifications: ISO 14001

Sustainable Products & Innovation

• Low-sodium soy sauce
• Easy-to-drink vegetable-based beverages
• Soy milk rich in vegetable protein
• Specially processed food for the elderly

Awards & Recognition

• Award for Excellence in the Large Enterprise category in the 2020 Environmental Human Resources Development Corporate Awards