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( From the left )
Kazuyuki Kishi Environmental Communication Office, Corporate Environment Division
Mr. Yasushi Hibi Representative of the CI Japan Program
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Our corporate activities are based on benefits offered by the global environment, including natural resources, but at the same time, such activities have damaged the global environment. The Ricoh Group is actively working toward the conservation of ecosystems from a global point of view in recognition of the fact that not only the reduction in environmental impact caused by corporate activities but also the repair of damage caused on the global environment is a corporate mission.
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Companies have contributed to the development of society by conducting business using natural resources generated by rich ecosystems and offering high-quality products and services. On the other hand, the activities of society, including mass production, mass consumption, and mass disposal, now far exceed the capacity of ecosystems. As a result, ecosystems are deteriorating, natural diversity is disappearing, and the aggravation of environments where we can live is rapidly progressing. As entities that carry out business activities supported by ecosystems, companies are required to not only strive to reduce environmental impact generated by business activities but also fulfill a social responsibility of maintaining and recovering ecosystems.
The Ricoh Group, which became aware of the significance of the impact corporate activities have on the global environment at an early stage, is promoting various efforts in all business fields and striving toward the conservation of ecosystems, aiming to limit environmental impact to within the capacity of the earth and realize a sustainable society.
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Ricoh has been engaged in the Forest Ecosystem Conservation Project since 1999, aiming at the conservation of ecosystems for the conservation of biodiversity. Our principle is to select activities that allow local residents to continuously use forest resources and promote such conservation with the participation and understanding of residents while conserving biodiversity.
Concrete standards for the selection of projects include the following:
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Places where biodiversity is observed and ecosystems are threatened with destruction |
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Biodiversity that can be recovered through certain approaches |
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Pilot activities (no achievements have been made yet) that can be supported by society |
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Projects that realize both improvement in residents' qualify of life and the conservation of the natural environment |
In addition, priority is given to areas with a natural environment that is valuable from a global point of view.
At present, nine projects are being continuously promoted in eight countries around the world.
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We have formed partnerships with groups that have approved of our ideas and now have a global base for activities. For example, in 2000 the "Tropical Rain Forest Restoration Project in the Philippines" was the first opportunity for us to collaborate with Conservation International (CI). With the addition of the "Tropical Rain Forest Restoration Project in Ghana," which started in 2002, our involvement has now doubled.
CI is an organization that has vast scientific knowledge about biodiversity and was established to solve environmental problems, placing priority on the relationship between ecosystems and people. Because the stance of CI in its activities coincides with the ideas of Ricoh, the trust between the two as partners has become increasingly deep-rooted, and projects are progressing without a hitch.
We believe that we are able to offer support to areas that have the most urgent need of preservation on the earth thanks to such organizations as CI.
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