Environmental Indicators
The KOSÉ group Committee has formulated seven goals as environmental indicators in promoting environmental conservation activities. The sustainability Promotion Committee, is responsible for discussing climate change risks and environmental issues, and key issues are reviewed by the Sustainability Committee and reported to the Board of Directors.
In addition, environmental indicators are reviewed every year in accordance with the results of the previous fiscal year and social needs.
1. Management and voluntary reduction of environmental pollutants
Environmental Indicators
Cosmetics are applied directly to the body so we do not use harmful chemicals even during the manufacturing process, but in rare cases we may use substances that are subject to laws and regulations, such as the PRTR Law (the Act on Confirmation, etc. of Release Amounts of Specific Chemical Substances in the Environment and Promotion of Improvements to the Management Thereof).
KOSÉ has built a system to monitor and measure how much of a target chemical substance is released into the environment. By using this monitoring and measurement system, we are strictly complying with the law and strive to reduce the use and emission of these chemical substances.
2. Promotion of the development of environmentally friendly products
Environmental Indicators
KOSÉ is developing environmentally friendly products in accordance with various standards, such as the “Eco Standard for Containers and Packaging” formulated in the voluntary standard “ECO BOOK” and “Accessible Design” promoted by the Japan Cosmetic Industry Association. Regarding the use of plastic, we are working on “Reduce”, “Reuse/Recycle”, and “Recycle/Use new materials” in compliance with the government’s “Resource Circulation Strategy of Plastics”.
3. Reduction of waste
Environmental Indicators
KOSÉ aims to contribute to the establishment of a recycling-oriented society by reducing the amount of waste generated from factories and offices and by promoting the reuse and recycling of waste generated inside and outside the company.
Reduction Targets and Results
The production department of KOSÉ Corporation has set a waste reduction target of 0.5% for every year based on the FY2015 standard that made efforts of reducing waste generation and promoting recycling activities (zero emissions).
4. Climate change
Environmental Indicators
As a member of the international community, we regard the reduction of CO2 emissions as a very important issue in addressing the climate change to fulfill our corporate responsibility in the sustainability of society and the global environment, which is the foundation of our business activities, and is committed to proactively reducing CO2 emissions.
For this reason, in the “KOSÉ Sustainability Plan”, we set targets for reducing GHG emissions by 2030 as a 55% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 (obtain SBT 1.5℃ *1 certification) and a 30% reduction in the entire value chain (Scope 3) (obtain SBT certification *2) (both based on FY2018).In order to further strengthen our response to the climate change that the world is facing, we have established a new goal of achieving carbon neutrality by achieving net-zero CO2 emissions by 2040. The KOSÉ Group as a whole is accelerating initiatives to achieve the goal by implementing energy saving activities and conversion to clean energy at each plant, reducing business cars as well as replacing existing gasoline cars with ecocars, and promoting energy saving activities at each office.
*1:Targets advocated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), which are consistent with the standards required by the Paris Agreement.Set based on scientific evidence to limit the increase in global average temperature to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.
*2: Certification by the international initiative “SBTi (Science Based Targets initiative)”
Overall data on environmental impact
Initiatives to Address Climate Change
Sustainability Plan：Medium-to-Long-term Targets of Activity Themes
Total CO2 (GHG) Emissions from Business Activities
We have calculated the total amount of CO2 (GHG) produced by KOSÉ Group as a result of business activities, and promoting measures to reduce the emission. Also, we are taking third party inspections.
5. Water resources
Based on the recognition that water is an extremely valuable resource in the world and is an essential component in the production of skin care and hair care products, KOSÉ is fully aware of the importance of water resources and is working to reduce water usage (water intake) and conserve water resources.
Since the production operations have the highest use of water resources, we use the Water Risk Filter provided by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) to assess water-related risks.
Results of Analysis (as of FY2022): We have confirmed that there are four production sites that have been evaluated as having high water stress areas.The Gunma Plant (Isesaki City, Gunma Prefecture, Japan), the Sayama Plant and ADVANCE (Sayama City, Saitama Prefecture, Japan), and the Kumagaya Plant (Kumagaya City, Saitama Prefecture, Japan) are located in water-stressed areas, accounting for 80% of the total number of our production sites. (Water intake at four plants located in water stress areas: 300,851m3) In FY 2020, the four plants located in water-stressed areas took in approximately 286,000 m3 of water. At KOSÉ Group, where water is used as an important raw material, we are keenly aware that our products are manufactured in water-stressed areas, and we recognize the necessity of making efforts to use water resources efficiently, reduce the amount of water used, and take necessary measures. In addition, all of our five production sites have formulated water management plans. Specifically, we are controlling water intake/drainage and recycling volume, condudting water quality management at the time of discharge, etc., and are working to conserve water resources through water saving activities, water reuse, and development of new technologies.
- Example of water saving activities: When washing mixers, automatic washing equipment is used to save water. Sterilization of production equipment using alcohol instead of hot water. Water saving activities by employees in their daily use of the facility. etc.
- Examples of water reuse activities: In the cooling process during bulk production, water circulation equipment is used for cooling. Drain water (condensation generated during heat exchange) is used as cleaning water. etc.
Environmental Indicators
For the sustainable use of water resources, we will promote our business by giving due consideration to water consumption, water intake and water discharge.
- We will proactively work to conserve water resources through water conservation activities, water reuse, and the development of new technologies.
- We will actively work to conserve water resources through water conservation activities, wastewater reuse, and the development of new technologies.
Reduction Targets and Results
The KOSÉ Sustainability Plan sets a medium- to long-term target of reducing total water consumption (intake) by 12% by 2030 (a reduction rate of 1%/year in resource intensity compared to fiscal 2018). Progress toward this goal in fiscal 2022 stood at +5.9%. (Note that the data calculation method was partially revised from fiscal 2022).
Sustainability Data：Water resources
Sustainability Plan：Medium-to-Long-term Targets of Activity Themes
6. Promotion of the environmental management system
Environmental Indicators
We will promote and thoroughly implement an environmental management system based on the international standard “ISO14001″, centering on the production and SCM departments. In addition, we will report to and consult with the Sustainability Promotion Committee as necessary, consider expanding and reviewing the scope of our environmental management system, and link it to company-wide strengthening.
7. Promotion of awareness-raising activities for environmental conservation
Environmental Indicators
We will promote activities to raise environmental awareness widely for internal and external stakeholders.
For Customers
- Raise awareness of environmental conservation through the “SAVE the BLUE” project
SEKKISEI SAVE the BLUE Project
SAVE the BLUE is an environmental support project started in 2009 for the plant-derived SEKKISEI line to give back to the Earth in thanks for its bounty. This project is focused on preserving Okinawa’s coral reefs, which have been affected by global warming. From 2018 to 2021, the project also undertook forest conservation activities in Japan’s Tohoku region. From the winter of 2022, we also launched the SAVE the BLUE Snow Project to support a switch to renewable energy sources that lead to CO2 reduction.
For Other Stakeholders
- KOSÉ Report (integrated report), activity status report on website, etc.
- Clarification of considerations for environmental conservation to suppliers
For Employees
- Various communications from the Sustainability Promotion Committee
- Raising awareness of environmental activities through an in-house newsletter
- Banner posting on in-house infrastructure, etc.
For the Global Environment
Top
Environmental Indicators
Initiatives to Address Climate Change
Low-Carbon Transition Plan
Measures for Circular Economy
Efforts related to products
Efforts in manufacturing
Efforts at offices, logistics operations, and shops
Overall data on environmental impact