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Conservation of Biodiversity

Taking measures for biodiversity conservation

Policy/Basic Concept

Our human society is heavily dependent on the various benefits provided by the ecosystems on the earth, and biodiversity is closely related to these ecosystems. However, we are now losing biodiversity at an unprecedented and rapid pace due to the deterioration of the natural environment. Companies are required to assess the impact of their business activities on ecosystems, prevent the loss of biodiversity, and contribute to its restoration.
The Ricoh Group established the "Biodiversity Policy" in 2009, approved by the Management Committee, believing that the conservation of biodiversity would lead to the creation of a truly affluent and sustainable society. Furthermore, in 2010, we established the " Regulations on Wood Raw Materials for Ricoh Group Products" (an expansion of the "Environmental Regulations on Procurement of Paper Products" established in 2003) to prevent deforestation and to procure raw materials with due consideration for social aspects such as labor. In addition, in 2020, we set a goal of increasing the number of trees by 1 million by 2030 through forest conservation activities that both "conserve" and "increase" the number of forests. Based on these policies and regulations, we are working with various stakeholders to reduce the environmental impact of our business activities, at the same time, we are promoting efforts to maintain and enhance the regenerative capacity of the earth.

The Ricoh Group aims to realize a "nature positive" and "zero deforestation" society that halts the loss of biodiversity and puts it on a recovery track. To this end, we are working to understand biodiversity risks and reduce the environmental impact of our business activities in cooperation with various stakeholders, while at the same time maintaining and improving the Earth's regenerative capacity.

Biodiversity Policy

Based on the recognition that our society is nurtured by a rich global environment, and that the diverse living creatures that support that global environment are declining, we have established a Biodiversity Policy.

Basic Policy

Because we benefit from the lives of living creatures and our business activities have an impact on biodiversity, we will actively engage in activities to reduce our impact on biodiversity and contribute to the conservation of biodiversity.

Regulations for Ricoh Group products made of wood

From the viewpoint of global environmental conservation and biodiversity protection, this provision must be established to confirm that the wood raw materials used in Ricoh brand products and their accessories are legally obtained with consideration for the sustainability of the place of origin in environmental and social aspects prior to the decision of procurement.

Scope of Regulation

It must apply to paper products marketed under the Ricoh Group brand (PPC paper, thermal paper, etc.) as well as materials made of wood, which accompany Ricoh Group brand products (seals, manuals, packaging material, cushion material, etc.).

Requirements for raw materials provided by suppliers

Confirmation of legality of wood in the country of origin at the time of production.
Wood produced from a forest where sustainable forest management is practiced without adverse environmental or social impact at the time of production.
The products delivered to the Ricoh Group do not use wood procured by a "Supplier with Problems."

Paper Procurement Policy

The policy is based on two criteria: "Paper* Standards" and "Supplier Standards."

Paper Standards(Requirements to procure paper)

  • Paper must be produced from forests that are managed in a sustainable manner and the legality of which has been verified.
  • Paper must not be produced from forests with high conservation value.
  • Virgin paper/recycled paper must have traceability.
  • Chemical substances used in production process of paper must be confirmed to be safe.　
  • Environmental and safety management must be under control in the paper manufacturing process (including wastewater and other water management).
  • The paper must be ECF chlorine-free bleached paper.

Supplier Standards(Requirements for procurement transactions)

  • Suppliers must comply with the laws and regulations of the region and country in which they operate, and they must conduct their operations and supply products with consideration for the environment, including climate change prevention, appropriate use of resources, and biodiversity conservation.
  • Human rights of local residents in the area where the company operates are protected and that the company sustains a good relationship with local residents.
  • Human rights of workers and employees are protected and there is no relationship with antisocial forces or groups.

*Target: PPC paper, paper rolls

Impact and risk assessment for biodiversity

The Ricoh Group has adopted the following basic processes to ensure that biodiversity is properly considered.

Image:basic processes to ensure that biodiversity is properly considered

1) Assess the relationship between our business and biodiversity

We promote biodiversity-conscious activities by clarifying the relationship between our business activities and ecosystems (environmental impacts and risks). To clarify the relationship between business activities and ecosystems, the Ricoh Group has created a "Map of relationships between business and biodiversity" to show the relationship between product life cycles, land use, and other factors and ecosystems.

Target Businesses: Imaging Business, Thermal Business

Scope: Procurement of raw materials, design and manufacturing, transportation and sales, use and maintenance, collection and recycling

Target data: Energy resources, mineral resources, renewable resources, chemical emissions to air, water, and soil, land use

*Individual business sites are also evaluated based on the 30 by 30 criteria for certification as a site in harmony with nature.

Map of Relationships between businesses and biodiversity

Image:Map of Relationships between businesses and biodiversity

2) Identify areas of greatest impact and risk

As a result of the evaluation of the relationship between business and biodiversity, paper procurement accounted for the majority of the evaluation results in the supply chain, indicating that the procurement of raw materials such as pulp and paper has a large impact and risk on ecosystems.
Assumed risk: Risk of product supply shortages due to illegal procurement and other impacts Risk of brand image degradation

3) Risk Management

To reduce environmental impact, we promote the use of recycled paper and recycled materials, and at the same time, we procure raw materials in consideration of biodiversity in cooperation with our business units and stakeholders (Chart 1). The Ricoh Group assesses the impact and risks on biodiversity and the results of countermeasures as needed and reviews the countermeasures.

[Chart 1] Stakeholders and Roles Related to "Regulations for Ricoh Group products made of wood"

Image:Stakeholders and Roles Related to “Regulations for Ricoh Group products made of wood”

Targets and Performance

Target

Planting another one million new trees（FY2020 - 2030）

Achievements

FY 2020 FY 2021 FY 2022
Achievements (K Trees) 92 149 97
Cumulative total (K trees) 92 241 338
Progress (％) 9.2 24.1 33.8

Target

Continue risk management activities with suppliers toward zero deforestation (conduct surveys of suppliers)

FY2022 Achievements

Launch of Global Paper Project

  • Establishment of a global system

  • Identification of material items in paper

  • Establishment and disclosure of paper procurement policy

  • Preparation for survey of paper suppliers (including material items) (Survey period: April to June 2023)

    *Results of the survey will be disclosed

For more information on biodiversity conservation efforts, please click here

Initiatives

Protecting local indigenous biodiversity

  • Ricoh’s forest conservation activities - One Million Trees Project

Forest conservation projects

  • Project for the conservation of the Afan forest in Kurohime, Nagano
  • Project for the conservation of Yanbaru forest
  • Project for the Restoration of Mangrove Forests in the Central Selangor Coast in Malaysia
  • Mangrove Restoration Project in Oaxaca and Chiapas, Mexico

Forest development through cooperative work with stakeholders

  • Ena forest project（Ricoh owned forest）
  • Ricoh Collaborative Forest Shimokumeda
  • Ricoh’s Forest Nirasaki
  • Forest of Yanbaru
  • Donguriko-no-mori forest
  • Kanmu Ricoh’s Forest
  • Ricoh Japan Nanairo-no-mori forest

Forest development activities by our employee

  • "That's Kirin Saver" project: Working with local communities to conserve Satoyama
  • Forest conservation activities at Ricoh Chiba Fureai-no-Mori forest

Forest development through cooperative work with cutomers

  • Activities by Ricoh Japan

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