To conserve the global environment, it is important not only to reduce environmental impact, but also to maintain and enhance the self-recovery capability of the global environment. Ricoh is promoting forest ecosystem conservation projects in many places all over the world in partnership with environmental NPOs and local communities. Considering that in order to
expand the network
of this activity and make it more effective, it is important to promote cooperation between NPOs and companies and between NPOs, Ricoh is engaged in actively promoting communication. Furthermore, manufacturing subsidiaries and sales subsidiaries in various regions in the world are committed to environmentally-friendly social contribution activities with NPOs and customers. In Japan, the Ricoh Group is implementing an Environmental Volunteer Leader Development Program to enhance each employee's global citizen awareness and help employees take initiatives in local communities to conserve the global environment.
Forest Ecosystem Conservation Projects  (Ricoh/Global)
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On the earth, various life habitats exist and unique ecosystems are maintained in forests, lakes and ponds, coral reefs, and oceans. If these ecosystems are damaged, the natural environment that is indispensable for maintaining the life of human beings will be harmed. Ricoh places priority particularly on forest ecosystems with rich biodiversity and has been promoting forest ecosystem conservation projects since fiscal 1999 in partnership with environmental NPOs and local communities. Unlike simple afforestation, the main aim of these activities is to protect the habitats of indigenous species and the life of residents, and in such activities, priority is given to creating a partnership with environmental NPOs and local residents. The projects are financed by the social contribution reserve that Ricoh established to continuously carry out social contribution activities. Provided
that approval is gained at the general shareholders' meeting, 1% of Ricoh's annual profit after deducting annual dividends is allocated for the reserve (up to ¥0.2 billion).
Three Areas of Environmentally-Friendly Social Contribution Activities
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Ricoh's Forest Ecosystem Conservation Projects
| Start date |
Country |
Name/NPO |
Activity |
June
1999 |
Bangladesh |
Restoration of satoyama (community forests) /
Bangladesh Poush |
Education of children, development of afforestation activities, and raising
saplings |
February
2000 |
Sri Lanka |
Conservation and restoration of forests at World Heritage Sites / Field Ornithology Group of Sri Lanka |
Preservation and expansion of forests where the Sri Lankan long-tailed fowl can live |
March
2000 |
Philippines |
Restoration of tropical rain forests* / Conservation International |
Restoration of rich forests where the Philippine Eagle and other forest creatures can coexist with people |
October
2000 |
Malaysia |
Restoration of tropical forests and orangutan habitats* / WWF |
Expansion of the habitats of endangered species, including the orangutan |
November
2001 |
China |
Restoration of temperate forests and giant panda habitats* / WWF |
Conservation of habitats for endangered species, including 437 vertebrates, such as the giant panda, and 4,000 plants, to prevent their extinction |
November
2001 |
Japan |
Conservation of the Afan Forest in Kurohime, Nagano* / C.W. Nicol Afan Woodland Trust |
Conservation of natural forests that have enough space and food for bears, dormice, and other animals to live and where people can feel close to nature |
November
2001 |
Japan |
Conservation of the Yanbaru Forest in Okinawa* / Yanbaru Forest Trust |
Conservation of habitats of endangered species unique to the region, including Rallus okinawae |
March
2002 |
Ghana |
Restoration of tropical rain forests* / Conservation International |
Preservation of forests through sustainable agriculture, specifically, raising cocoa in the shades of trees so that people can live with other living things |
May
2004 |
Russia |
Conservation of Taiga, the northern limit habitat of tigers* / Friends of the Earth Japan (FoE Japan) |
Conservation of rich forests where many wild animal species, including the Amur tiger, live harmoniously with people |
| * |
Projects covered under the social contribution reserve system |
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