With regard to new investment projects, we conduct research and assessments prior to investment to assess the overall environmental impact of the project including preservation of forests and biodiversity and the effective use of resources, energy and water. We take action to protect the environment and reduce environmental burdens and achieve compatibility between biodiversity and business activities.

See "Use of Thinned Trees for Biomass Power Generation"

In order to mitigate pollution risks pertaining to our existing businesses, we have introduced an environmental risk assessment framework under which we quantitatively assess both pollution risks for each facility and management levels at each work site. We also conduct risk assessments including biodiversity of existing businesses by performing internal audits of environmental management systems, which are a part of our ISO 14001 activities. We conduct environmental compliance evaluations twice yearly and double-check the state of priority environmental compliance status through both internal and external audits.

Case Study 1: Biomass power generation

Ehime Forest Generation, LLC, established by Ene-Vision Co., Ltd., a Group company, constructed and commenced commercial operation of the Matsuyama Biomass Power Plant, a wood biomass power plant, on April 1, 2018. The power plant was constructed on an approximately 30,000 m2 site in Matsuyama City, Ehime Prefecture. It is the first wood biomass power plant in Ehime Prefecture and uses only wood biomass to generate 12.5 MW of electric power for sale using the Feed-in Tariff (FIT) system. The power plant cooperates with local forestry cooperatives to procure raw materials from trees that were thinned to support healthy forest development. The use of energy that is clearly traceable and is generated locally for local consumption achieves stable supplies and contributes to the preservation of biodiversity. In combination with Gotsu Biomass Power Plant, operated by Shimane Forest Generation, LLC in Gotsu City, Shimane Prefecture, total biomass power output is 25.2 MW.

Toyota Tsusho is also promoting business that contributes to global environmental conservation, forestry and regional revitalization through the production of saplings.

Sapling production, which was 1.6 billion saplings each year at its peak, has currently declined sharply to 60 million per year. As a result, Japan's reforestation rate has fallen to about 30%.

In partnership with the Miyakonojo Forest Owners Association, in a district of Kyushu where the shortage of saplings is particularly acute, the company has set up a system for production of local mountain saplings (cedar saplings) in the region in Miyakonojo city, Miyazaki Prefecture. In fiscal 2020, it established a system for producing 250,000 cedar saplings per year.

The company also promotes wood chip biomass fuel supply business. It is contributing to Japan's reforestation rate through sapling production, and making efforts to build a sustainable supply chain in biomass energy.

The Toyota Tsusho Group systematically assesses biodiversity risks using ISO 14001 environmental management systems and environmental management rule books and takes action to mitigate identified risks.

We also participate in biodiversity-related certification programs as a part of those efforts.

Toyota Tsusho engages in sustainable business activities. The preservation of biodiversity is emphasized as a standard of sustainability.

We work to determine impacts of our business on biodiversity including the status of endangered species living in the vicinity of our business sites and specified information in protected areas, and we undertake business development with risk mitigation in mind. We see the preservation of biodiversity as a positive and the loss of biodiversity as a negative, and we conduct environmental risk assessments to mitigate losses. In cases where there are negative impacts on ecosystems, we take measures to offset those impacts.

Case Study 4: Afforestation in Brazil

Amid the great concern over deforestation in Brazil, we have contributed to afforestation on our own land and nearby private land as part of our community activities. We have planted 1,000 trees every year since 2007, reaching 20,000 trees in total.

Support of the Keidanren Initiative for Biodiversity Conservation

Toyota Tsusho Corporation supports the Keidanren Initiative for Biodiversity Conservation*.
* The Keidanren Initiative for Biodiversity Conservation is a group of companies and organizations that are working on several of the seven items listed in the “Declaration of Biodiversity by Keidanren and Action Policy (Revised Edition)” or that support the whole idea and purpose of the initiative. Logos and future activity policies/examples of supporting companies and organizations are posted on a special website (Japanese/English) to introduce and promote them domestically and overseas.

Related Links

• Keidanren Initiative for Biodiversity Conservation

Since 2017, we have been responding to the CDP questionnaire on forests (soy and timber), a global information disclosure program regarding corporate timber. Since 2018, we have further expanded the scope of disclosure to include soy, timber, and palm oil, and are actively working to disclose information. We received an "B" evaluation for soy, an "A" evaluation for timber, and a "B" evaluation for palm oil as a result of the responses to the CDP questionnaire conducted in 2023.

Toyota Adria d.o.o. cooperated with Toyota vehicle dealers in Slovenia and Serbia to hold three events in each country last year. Eco-school activities were conducted at elementary schools in the region of each dealer.

In addition, each time a hybrid vehicle is sold, one tree is planted in an area that needs greenery in Slovenia. A total of approximately 500,000 trees were planted through the three events, in which 50 staff members and approximately 200 children participated. (Similar activities were also conducted in Croatia, Serbia, and Bosnia.)

Also in Slovenia, an H2 student educational program was initiated as a part of the Zero Emission Corridor program conducted in collaboration with the Faculty of Logistics at the University of Maribor. Students in education classes at high schools in Slovenia designed, assembled, and drove hydrogen Lego cars, learning about a circular economy and the importance of future clean technologies (electrified vehicles, CO₂ reduction, hydrogen technologies).