Contributing
to a sustainable society around the world
To establish
the sustainable society, it is essential
to establish partnerships with companies,
governments, and citizen organizations,
aiming at preserving the global environment
and creating a society that is at ease with
itself. The Ricoh Group, based on the Sprit
of Three Loves (love your
neighbor, love your country, and love your
work), as a business enterprise, endeavors
to enthusiastically communicate with local
governments and citizens the world over
as well to as promote partnerships, through
each employee's activities. From fiscal
2002, the Ricoh Group began setting targets
for social contribution in terms of environmental
conservation, according to which the Ricoh
Group's regional sales headquarters is
responsible for environmental conservation
activities. Ricoh established a system in
which a social contribution reserve is created
to sustain social contribution activities.
With the approval of shareholders at their
general meeting, the Ricoh reserves an amount
equal to 1% (maximum 200 million yen) of
its annual profit after dividends to fund
its social contribution activities. In fiscal
2003, the reserve was used for a forest
ecosystem conservation project and the Ichimura
School of Nature.
Forest Ecosystem Conservation Project  (International)
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| We
are now in an era of large-scale wildlife
extinction. Among the approximately
4,620 species of mammals, 1,130 are
approaching extinction. The increase
in the number of endangered species
must, at least in part, be attributable
to a decrease in the size of their
habitat. The world's wildlife forms
a vital part of ecosystems around
the globe, including forests, savannas,
lakes and ponds, coral reefs, and
oceans. The destruction of the ecosystem
inevitably leads to the destruction
of the water systems, air, climate,
soil, and other parts of the natural
environment that humans depend on
for life. Ricoh is developing forest
ecosystem conservation projects that
focus on forest ecosystems, which
are especially blessed with a large
variety of wildlife. Having started
in fiscal 1999, projects are well
underway at 11 sites in eight countries
in fiscal 2002. |
 |
Restoration
of satoyama (community forest) on
Tama Hill, Tokyo |
Activities Funded by the Ricoh Group's "Social Contribution Reserve"
| Country |
Project |
NPO |
| Name |
Purpose |
Name |
Description |
| Philippines |
Restoration of forests in the Ecoregion
200 area |
Conservation of forests where the
Philippine Eagle can live |
Conservation
International |
Using funds and human resources for
the conservation of biodiversity (1,200 members in 32 countries) |
 |
| Malaysia |
Conservation and restoration of forests
in environmental hot spots |
Establishment of forests where orangutans
can migrate |
WWF |
The world's largest nature protection
NPO makes diverse efforts to conserve biodiversity, from ecosystem conservation
to the prevention of global warming. |
|
| China |
Restoration of forests in the Ecoregion
200 area |
Establishment of forests where pandas
can live |
WWF |
Same as above |
|
| Japan |
Restoration of satoyama (community
forests) in Tama hills, Tokyo |
Conservation of forests where loaches
and salamanders can live |
Wild Bird
Society of
Japan |
Conducting activities to protect
wild birds and to conserve their habitats based on the idea that mankind must
share the earth with wild birds |
|
| Japan |
Conservation of the Afan forest in
Kurohime, Nagano |
Establishment of forests where dormice
can live |
C.W. Nicol
Afan Forest |
Conducting research and study of
the forest ecosystem as well as environmental conservation activities on the idea
of establishing a forest where the mankind can live without harming the natural
environment |
|
| Japan |
Conservation of the forest of Yanbaru
in Okinawa |
Conservation of forests where the
Yanbarukuina can live |
Yanbaru Branch,
Wild Bird Society
of Japan |
Established in 1992 to protect wild
birds and other valuable creatures living in the forest of Yanbaru in the northern
part of Okinawa Main Island |
|
* The flag species of the area are listed under "purpose."
The above projects strive to conserve the forest ecosystem in the areas as well
as the flag species.
Activities Funded by the Ricoh Group's Expenses
| Country |
Project |
NPO |
| Name |
Purpose |
Name |
Description |
| Sri Lanka |
Conservation and restoration of forests
in world heritage areas |
Conservation of forests where the
Sri Lankan long-tailed fowl can live |
Field Ornithology Group of Sri Lanka |
Research of birds in Sri Lanka and
domestic and international environmental conservation activities through the protection
of wild birds |
|
| Brunei |
Conservation of virgin mangrove forests |
Conservation of virgin mangrove forests,
which are rare and valuable worldwide |
Ramsar Center Japan |
Conducting activities to promote
the ratification of the Ramsar Convention (on Wetlands) in Asia and the appropriate
utilization of wetlands |
|
| Bangladesh |
Restoration of satoyama (community
forests) |
Education of children and creation of work for afforestation and raising seedlings |
Bangladesh Poush |
Providing environmental education,
especially to children, and promoting afforestation activities |
|
| Malaysia |
Restoration of riverhead forests |
Afforestation of riverheads to restore
natural forests |
OISCA |
Promoting the independence of local
communicates and environmental conservation through rural development and greenery
activities in the Asia-Pacific region |
|
| Ghana |
Restoration of the corridors of the
cacao trees growing in the shades |
Model project for promoting the development
of the local cocoa industry while conserving natural forests |
Conservation
International |
Using funds and human resources for
the conservation of biodiversity (1,200 members in 32 countries) |
|
- Promotion
of Activities through Partnerships
Forest
conservation activities are almost
impossible to carry out without
the under-standing and cooperation
of local communities. With this
mind, Ricoh is engaged in activities
such as protection of virgin and
natural forests, as well as management
and conservation of satoyama (community
forests) and thickets by forming
partnerships with environmental
NPOs, and by taking into careful
consideration local communities
where the projects are conducted.
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|
A visit to a project in Malaysia
A follow-up visit to a project in Sri Lanka |
Ricoh Keiki  (Japan)
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| Ricoh
Keiki Co., Ltd. strives to promote
community awareness of environmental
conservation, as well as to develop
close ties with these communities.
Examples include partnerships with
Saga City and Saga University, which
encouraged as many as 40 Ricoh Keiki employees to give speeches
at the Saga City Environmental Forum
and to participate in the hometown
cleanup campaign jointly organized
by Saga Prefecture and Saga City.
In addition, three Ricoh Keiki employees
were designated "environmental
supporters" by Saga Prefecture,
which asked them to give guidance
on environmental conservation and
global warming prevention measures
to schools, companies, and community
authorities. In August, the company
held a seminar on environmental conservation
to teach children the importance of
the natural environment. At the seminar,
the children raised stag beetles.
Besides being fun, the seminar taught
the children about ecology. Some of
the young participants remarked, "The
stag beetles must be happy if we save
energy and protect nature." |
|
A seminar
on environmental conservation and
raising stag beetles |
Ricoh Gotemba Plant (Japan)
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Local schoolchildren
can observe wildlife at a biotope called
"hometown forest" on the plant
site. The plant, working with Gotemba City,
is working to gradually expand the wildlife
habitat.
Ricoh Elemex Corporation (Japan)
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Ricoh
Elemex Corporation's Ena Plant began
hosting eco seminars in fiscal 2000.
In fiscal 2002, Ricoh Elemex registered
the learning delivery program conducted
by Ena City, and held eco seminars
at local government facilities and
junior high schools. In September
2002, the company's Okazaki Plant
invited four groups of the local fifth-grade
elementary school students to its
fourth eco seminar. Employees regularly
participate in volunteer activities
to preserve the Kitayama wetland in
Okazaki City.
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An eco seminar at Okazaki Plant
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