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- Message from CSuO
* The content of this page was originally published in the Integrated Report 2024
Jiro TANIYAMA
Executive Vice President;
Chief Sustainability Officer (CSuO)
Chief of Sustainability Division (Integrated);
Chief of Clean Energy & Environment Business Promotion Division
Our Efforts to Date and Recognition of the Current Situation
The Group’s fundamental approach is, through our business activities, to contribute to addressing the sustainability challenges faced by our clients and society. As part of our medium- to long-term vision, we have articulated in [TAISEI VISION 2030] our vision of becoming “a pioneering corporate group contributing to the development of a resilient society where people can live affluent and cultural lives.”
To promote sustainability-related initiatives towards an achievement of this vision, we established the Sustainability Division (Integrated) in April 2022 and have been implementing various measures since then. (See Table 1)
Furthermore, we have dedicated ourselves to enhancing the disclosure of non-financial information, producing a steady flow of successful results such as receiving the highest rating in CDP’s Climate Change List for two consecutive years and improving our ESG score of FTSE Russell. (See Tables 2 and 3)
On the other hand, our society is undergoing rapid transformation, becoming increasingly complex and uncertain. In the field of sustainability, there is a growing recognition of the importance of diverse issues in addition to decarbonization, including the circular economy, co-existing with nature, poverty, and human rights, and companies are now facing mounting pressure to contribute to addressing these sustainability challenges. Therefore, the capability to envision and execute a value creation story to achieve sustainability transformation (SX) is becoming more important. We believe that the effectiveness of this capability will be a key determinant of a company’s sustainability in the future.
Towards the Realization of Our Vision
In light of such changes in the external environment, we established a sustainability strategy focused on the environment, energy, and human rights as the foundation of our business activities within the [TAISEI VISION 2030] Achievement Plan, disclosed in May this year. I will lead the way and accelerate our efforts towards the realization of this vision to be pursued by our entire Group.
For carbon neutrality, it is crucial to reduce CO2 emissions under Scope 1, 2, and 3 to achieve the 2030 target in line with the SBT* 1.5°C target. Specifically, for Scope 1 and 2, we are focusing on TSA: TAISEI Sustainable Action®, an environmental impact reduction activities involving all executives and employees, and possessing renewable energy sources to cover the Group power consumption needs. For the Scope 3 upstream process, we are focusing on the development of low-carbon and decarbonized building materials, including environmentally friendly concrete, and promoting timber structures. For Scope 3 downstream process, we are focusing on advancing and expanding the adoption of new construction of Net Zero Energy Buildings (ZEBs) and renewal ZEBs. As the key to Scope 3, in particular, is the development and promotion of technology, we will work by bolstering our internal and external ties.
Additionally, we are in the process of the construction of a research management building for the Taisei Group Next-Generation Technology Research Institute, which will achieve practically zero CO2 emissions over the building’s entire life cycle. We are conducting demonstration tests towards a realization of a “zero-carbon building.”
For circular economy, we are promoting resource recycling by collaborating with manufacturers and logistics companies. For nature-positive initiatives, we are also working with likeminded partners on the initiatives, including the development of quantitative methods for evaluating the impact of construction projects on natural capital, under the guidance of the experts, and forest conservation activities in partnership with local governments, NGOs, and other companies.
For respect for human rights, our basic policy is to honor the human rights of every individual involved in the Group’s business. We are deepening our human rights due diligence initiatives throughout the entire supply chain while respecting dialogue with stakeholders.
We are also closely monitoring trends in sustainability disclosure standards. In preparation for the future mandatory simultaneous disclosure of financial and non-financial information in securities reports, we will make an effort to ensure readiness such as actively collecting relevant information, and reviewing our CO2 emissions calculation methods.
The Regional Collaboration Strategy, one of the new business models in the [TAISEI VISION 2030] Achievement Plan, is also being spearheaded by the Sustainability Division (Integrated). We aim to build networks with local governments and other entities, starting with addressing regional environmental and social issues, enhancing our advantage in receiving orders, and establishing new business.
- *Science Based Targets (SBT): An international initiative requiring companies to contribute to the goals of the Paris Agreement, specifically to limit global warming to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels.
Taisei Group Philosophy and Mission as CSuO
In 1990, we established the Group Philosophy of “To Create a Vibrant Environment for All Members of Society,” and have been providing value to society by valuing the importance of both “people” and the “environment.” This provision exactly aligns with the implementation of CSV (Creating Shared Value), which is a fundamental concept of sustainability management. We will implement our business operations valuing this concept.
As CSuO, my mission is to lead the Group’s sustainability-related initiatives, guided by the Group Philosophy and [TAISEI VISION 2030], and to enhance our capacity to address sustainability challenges for our clients and in society through our business activities. We will fully support “The Works to Create Landmarks; Looking Ahead” from the perspective of sustainability.
In this era of complexity and high uncertainty, we need to enhance the Group’s sustainability-related initiatives by utilizing constructive and meaningful dialogue with our stakeholders for our management.
We would like to kindly ask all our stakeholders to understand our efforts to realize the Group’s vision and to provide us with their open opinions and suggestions.
