JAPANESE CHINESE

Initiatives

Basic Approach

The Maruha Nichiro Group engages in business through a global supply chain with seafood products at the core. In particular, procurement activities and marine resources are closely related, and there are concerns regarding many sustainability challenges in a broad value chain that cannot be resolved by a single company or by the private sector alone.

We believe that cooperation with competitors, governments, scientists, NPOs, and NGOs is essential to implement comprehensive activities in response to these concerns. For this reason, the Maruha Nichiro Group voluntarily participates in various initiatives in Japan and abroad.

Participation in the United Nations Global Compact

The protection of human rights and implementation of appropriate labor practices are essential for a company to build a sustainable supply chain. Since 2010, the Maruha Nichiro Group has participated in the United Nations Global Compact through its business activities in Japan and abroad. This initiative covers the core values of human rights, labor, the environment, and anti-corruption across 10 principles. In addition, we participated in the initiatives of the Global Compact Network Japan, including the "Environmental Management Subcommittee," "Reporting Research Subcommittee," and "ESG Subcommittee" in fiscal 2022.

UN Grobal Compact

Participation in the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO)

In July 2019, Maruha Nichiro Corporation joined the RSPO,* a non-profit organization promoting the sustainable production and use of palm oil. A recent increase in palm oil demand has been accompanied by ecological destruction wrought by the felling of tropical rainforests possessing great protective value, reduced absorption of greenhouse gases, and problems concerning the human rights and workplace safety of agricultural workers. At Maruha Nichiro, we support the activities of the RSPO and continue to contribute to the sustainable development of society through the conversion to RSPO-certified sustainable palm oil.

*RSPO: Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil
Please visit https://rspo.org/members/9365 for an update on our progress.

CERTIFIED SUSTATINABLE PALM OIL

Participation in the Clean Ocean Material Alliance (CLOMA)

There is a need for the entire world to promote activities to solve the problem of marine plastic litter, which is a global issue. Given this, the Maruha Nichiro Group joined the Clean Ocean Material Alliance (CLOMA) in 2019. CLOMA, led by Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, is an alliance that was established in January 2019 to strengthen partnerships between a wide range of actors across industries, promote the sustainable use of plastic products and the development and introduction of alternative materials, and accelerate innovation in the field. As of June 2021, over 430 companies and organizations have joined CLOMA.

We also participate in the Japan Business Initiative for Conservation and Sustainable Use of Biodiversity (JBIB), a forum for exchanging information and opinions on biodiversity-related initiatives, and gather the latest information and know-how through a network of participating companies. In fiscal 2022, we participated in the "Marine Plastic Research WG," "OECM Practice WG," and "Natural Capital Assessment WG" initiatives.

As a corporate group with a close connection to marine resources, we are working to strengthen partnerships with a variety of organizations to make the oceans clean.

Clean Ocean Material Alliance

Japan Business Federation's Biodiversity Declaration

The Maruha Nichiro Group endorses the aims of the Japan Business Federation's Biodiversity Declaration released in 2009 and has participated as a facilitation partner of the declaration since 2009. In addition, we support the objectives of the activities of the Keidanren Nature Conservation Fund*, donating to the fund every year.

Maruha Nichiro, as an associate member, participates in the Japan Business Initiative for Biodiversity (JBIB) which serves as a forum for exchanging information and opinions on biodiversity initiatives. We gather the latest information and know-how through the network of participating companies.

In March 2016, Maruha Nichiro was selected as a partner company of Tokyo Bay UMI Project, which the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism has organized and cooperated with public and private sectors to improve the environment of Tokyo Bay. We will contribute to ocean biodiversity through participation in the eelgrass bed restoration activities going forward.

* Keidanren Nature Conservation Fund: Fund that was established with the purpose of providing assistance for nature conservation efforts implemented by NGOs/NPOs in developing countries, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region, and subsidies for environmental conservation activities in Japan.

JBIB

Strategic Initiative for a Healthy and Sustainable Food Environment(HSFE)

We have been a member of the "Strategic Initiative for a Healthy and Sustainable Food Environment" since 2023. This initiative was established by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare as a collaborative effort between the government, industry, academia, and other stakeholders. It recognizes nutrition and environmental issues such as excessive sodium intake, underweight issues among young women, and nutritional disparities related to economic inequality as significant social issues.

Through collaboration and cooperation among various sectors including government, industry, and academia, the initiative aims to create a food environment where everyone can naturally achieve good health. Our goal is to extend healthy life spans of people in Japan and around the world, and to realize a vibrant and sustainable society.

30by30 Alliance for Biodiversity

In April 2022, the Maruha Nichiro Group participated in the 30by30 Alliance for Biodiversity, which was established by 17 industry, private and public organizations, including the Ministry of the Environment, as initiators. 30by30 is a target that seeks to effectively conserve at least 30% of the land and sea as healthy ecosystems by 2030, with the goal of halting and restoring biodiversity loss by 2030 (Nature Positive).

With the aim of achieving 30by30 in Japan, the Alliance was established for the purpose of promoting the registration and conservation of areas outside of protected areas through the efforts of the private sector and others, and areas where management not primarily aimed at conservation contributes to the protection of the natural environment, as OECMs (Other Effective Area-based Conservation Measures), and to actively communicate those activities.

Maruha Nichiro Corporation will actively participate in the Alliance's activities while seeking to promote biodiversity conservation activities and expand its activity area through activities such as eelgrass bed restoration activities.

30by30

Initiatives of the Plastic Package Recycling Council

The Plastic Package Recycling Council (PPRC) is a volunteer organization of groups and companies that have taken on the responsibility of recycling plastic containers and packages into new products. In June 2020, Satoshi Kokaji, Maruha Nichiro Corporation's Executive Officer in charge of Product Development Department, was appointed PPRC Chairman.

Based on the Law for Promotion of Sorted Collection and Recycling of Containers and Packaging, the PPRC aims to build rational recycling systems for recycling plastic containers and packaging, to develop a system for smooth implementation of the practical operation of such systems, to work closely with related industries, and to raise awareness of these efforts.

The Maruha Nichiro Group is actively involved in PPRC activities, seeking to build a sustainable recycling system for plastic containers and packaging, thereby contributing to the formation of a recycling-oriented society.

Joining the Japan Blue Economy Research Group (BERG)

The Japan Blue Economy Research Group (BERG) is an organization established in July 2020, under the Japan Blue Economy Association (JBE). It recruits members among corporations and other entities to promote research and development necessary to conserve and restore coastal areas through close cooperation among researchers and engineers in various fields and capacities, as well as businesses and local governments. It has also started a pilot project for the blue carbon offset system.

By joining this Association, the Maruha Nichiro Group is seeking to expand its activities for biodiversity conservation and pursue initiatives for a decarbonized society by collecting information on blue carbon, exchanging information among members, and conducting research as a member of this association.

JBE