SustainabilityParticipation in Initiatives and External Recognition
Participation in Initiatives
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
The SDGs* are common goals of the international community proposed under the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which was unanimously adopted by member countries during a United Nations summit meeting held in September 2015. The SDGs consist of 17 goals and 169 targets aimed at creating a sustainable and better world by 2030, and participants have pledged to realize a society that leaves no one behind.
*Sustainable Development Goals
United Nations Global Compact
In this voluntary initiative, companies and organizations participate in the creation of a global framework for realizing sustainable growth by demonstrating responsible and creative leadership as good members of society.
Under the Global Compact, companies are required to embrace and support essential values in the fields of human rights, labor, the environment, and anti-corruption, and put their own plans into practice.
In April 2020, the Daicel Group signed the Global Compact, endorsing the initiative’s objective of addressing global issues as responsible corporate citizens.
Furthermore, relevant divisions have been participating in each subcommittee of the Global Compact Network Japan (GCNJ) since FY2022/3 to collect and share information with the purpose of further infusing the Global Compact within the company.
Responsible Care Activities
In the chemical industry, each company that handles chemical substances engages in activities for preserving the environment and ensuring health and safety at every stage of operations, from product development and manufacturing to distribution, use, final consumption, recycling, and disposal, as well as disclosing the results of their activities, holding dialogues and communicating with society. These activities are called Responsible Care (RC) activities.
Daicel is a member of the Japan Chemical Industry Association (JCIA). Based on the Basic Policy of JCIA on Environment, Health, and Safety, we carry out RC activities in accordance with the Basic Policies on Responsible Care implemented February 21, 1995 (revised April 5, 2017).
TFCD Endorsement and Participation in the TCFD Consortium
The Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) was established in 2015 by a global organization, the Financial Stability Board (FSB), at the behest of the G20 to consider how to disclose climate-related information and what actions financial institutions should take. TFCD’s final report, published in June 2017, recommended and encouraged corporations around the world to identify and disclose the impacts of climate change on their finances.
In November 2021, the Daicel Group endorsed these TCFD recommendations. We are also a member of the TCFD Consortium, which consists of companies and financial institutions that support the TCFD recommendations.
Participation in the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry's Green Transformation (GX) League Basic Concept
The GX League was established by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) as a forum for companies actively engaged with green transformations that aim to realize sustainable growth in society now and in the future. The league is a collaborative effort among companies with similar green initiatives together with the government and academia.
Daicel Corporation joined the GX League in May 2023 with the aim of realizing a carbon neutral society through collaboration between industry, the government, and academia.
Japan BioPlastics Association (JBPA)
JBPA is a private organization that was established in 1989 to promote the use of bioplastics (the common name for biodegradable plastics and biomass plastics), a new material that plays an important role in realizing a recycling-based society, and to establish testing and evaluation systems.
Japan Clean Ocean Material Alliance (CLOMA)
This platform was set up with the aim of addressing the emerging concerns regarding marine plastic waste by seeking sustainable use of plastic products, as well as developing, introducing, and popularizing alternative products that will lead to waste reduction. The alliance plans and promotes activities across industries for the business community as a whole, and it seeks sustainable development through materials in a united effort between the public and private sectors. Daicel Corporation has participated in CLOMA since November 2019.
GREEN SEA Setouchi Hiroshima Platform (GSHIP)
GSHIP was established under the leadership of Hiroshima Prefecture in response to marine pollution from the runoff of plastic waste, which has become a global problem.
GSHIP has pledged to reduce plastic waste flowing into the Seto Inland Sea to zero by 2050 and promotes a diversity of activities to achieve this goal, including to reduce single-use plastics and developing plastic alternatives, preventing discharge of plastics into the marine environment, and carrying out beach cleanups, publicity and educational activities.
Daicel Corporation has participated in GSHIP since June 2021.
Partner of WIPO Green
WIPO Green is a database and network that was established by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) in 2013 to promote the transfer of environmental technologies. Under this system, intellectual property holders register their environment-related patents and prospective users register their needs, and those that match are free to negotiate with each other about using the patents. In this way, registered patents can gain international recognition and the discovery of effective uses can be expected.
Daicel Corporation has been a partner in WIPO Green since April 15, 2020.
#Here We Go 203030 Challenge Initiatives for 30% of Executives to be Women
This is an initiative that was announced by Keidanren (Japan Business Federation) in November 2020 to promote active participation in the workplace by a diverse range of people by 2030. “The NEW Growth Strategy” focuses on diversity and inclusion as the key drivers for achieving sustainable growth and upholds the goal of raising the ratio of female executives to 30% or more by 2030.
Daicel Corporation endorsed this initiative on April 5, 2021.
Other Initiatives Supported by Daicel
External Recognition
ESG Indices
Selected as a Constituent of the MSCI Japan ESG Select Leaders Index
Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) publishes the MSCI Japan ESG Select Leaders Index, a stock index composed of companies with relatively high ESG (environmental, social, and governance) ratings according to their industry.
Daicel Corporation has been a constituent of the index since July 2017 in recognition of its various initiatives.
Selected as a Constituent of the MSCI Japan Empowering Women Index (WIN)
Based on data disclosed under the Act on Promotion of Women’s Participation and Advancement in the Workplace, MSCI has also published the MSCI Japan Empowering Women Index (WIN), which comprises companies that excel in promoting gender diversity within their sectors. Daicel Corporation has been a constituent of WIN since June 2019, based on its multifaceted gender diversity score.
- MSCI Japan Empowering Women Index (WIN) (Only in Japanese)
- Selected as a Constituent of the MSCI Japan Empowering Women Index (WIN) (Only in Japanese)
*The inclusion of Daicel Corporation in any MSCI index, and the use of MSCI logos, trademarks, service marks or index names herein, do not constitute a sponsorship, endorsement or promotion of Daicel Corporation by MSCI or any of its affiliates.
The MSCI indexes are the exclusive property of MSCI. MSCI and the MSCI index names and logos are trademarks or service marks of MSCI or its affiliates.
Selected as a Constituent of the FTSE4Good Index Series
The FTSE4Good Index Series, created by FTSE Russell, is designed to measure the performance of companies that excel in ESG (environmental, social, and governance) responsiveness. In June 2022, Daicel Corporation was selected as a constituent of the index.
- FTSE4Good Index Series
- Selected as a constituent of the FTSE4Good Index Series and the FTSE Blossom Japan Index Series, which are leading ESG investment indices (Only in Japanese)
*FTSE Russell (the trading name of FTSE International Limited and Frank Russell Company) confirms that Daicel Corporation has been independently assessed according to the FTSE4Good criteria, and has satisfied the requirements to become a constituent of the FTSE4Good Index Series. Created by the global index provider FTSE Russell, the FTSE4Good Index Series is designed to measure the performance of companies demonstrating strong environmental, social and governance (ESG) practices. The FTSE4Good indices are used by a wide variety of market participants to create and assess responsible investment funds and other products.
Selected as a Constituent of the FTSE Blossom Japan Index
The FTSE Blossom Japan Index, created by FTSE Russell, is designed to measure the performance of Japanese companies with high ESG (environmental, social, and governance) ratings.
The index is calibrated in line with the composition of the Japanese equity market to ensure that the companies included in the index are not biased towards any industry sectors. In June 2022, Daicel Corporation was selected as a constituent of the index.
- FTSE Blossom Japan Index Series
- Selected as a constituent of the FTSE4Good Index Series and the FTSE Blossom Japan Index Series, which are leading ESG investment indices (Only in Japanese)
*FTSE Russell confirms that Daicel Corporation has been independently assessed according to the index criteria, and has satisfied the requirements to become a constituent of the FTSE Blossom Japan Index. Created by the global index and data provider FTSE Russell, the FTSE Blossom Japan Index is designed to measure the performance of companies demonstrating strong environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices. The FTSE Blossom Japan Index is used by a wide variety of market participants to create and assess responsible investment funds and other products.
Selected as a Constituent of the FTSE Blossom Japan Sector Relative Index
The FTSE Blossom Japan Sector Relative Index, created by FTSE Russell, is designed as a sector-neutral benchmark that reflects the relative performance of companies demonstrating strong environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices. To promote the transition to a low-carbon economy, index inclusion is granted only to those whose TPI* Management Quality Score reflects a strong commitment to reducing such emissions.
In April 2022, Daicel Corporation was selected as a constituent of the index.
*Transition Pathway Initiative (TPI) is a global initiative that was established under the leadership of asset owners in the UK in 2017 to assess companies’ readiness to transition to a low-carbon economy and support their efforts to address climate change.
FTSE Blossom Japan Index Series
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*FTSE Russell confirms that Daicel Corporation has been independently assessed according to the index criteria, and has satisfied the requirements to become a constituent of the FTSE Blossom Japan Sector Relative Index.
The FTSE Blossom Japan Sector Relative Index Series are used by a wide variety of market participants to create and assess responsible investment funds and other products.
Selected as a Constituent of the S&P/JPX Carbon Efficient Index
The S&P/JPX Carbon Efficient Index determines the weight of companies in the TOPIX index based on the environmental information they disclose and their carbon efficiency (carbon emissions per unit of revenue). In September 2018, Daicel Corporation was selected as a constituent for this index.
Daicel Selected as a Constituents of the Morningstar Japan ex-REIT Gender Diversity Tilt Index
The Morningstar Japan ex-REIT Gender Diversity Tilt Index (GenDi J) is an ESG index of Japanese domestic equities published by Morningstar and Equileap with an emphasis on gender diversity initiatives that are embedded in corporate culture and that ensure equal opportunities for employees. In April 2023, Daicel was selected as a constituent for this index.
Other Major External Recognition
Awarded the Silver Medal from EcoVadis (Sustainability Rating) for Our Sustainability Efforts
EcoVadis is an organization that rates companies based on the information they publish pertaining to the environment, labor, human rights, ethics, and their use of sustainable materials, as well as their related strategies and initiatives. It provides well-trusted ratings by analyzing corporate data with regard to each company's industry, size, and location.
The silver medal is given to the top 25% of all companies rated by EcoVadis.
Certified as a “White 500” Organization under the 2023 Certified Health and Productivity Management Outstanding Organizations Recognition Program
The name of this program is a comprehensive term for large enterprises that are certified annually as organizations engaging in excellent health and productivity management in collaboration with insurers.
Companies are certified under the framework, jointly led by Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) and the Nippon Kenko Kaigi, to recognize organizations that are practicing particularly excellent health and productivity management.
Eruboshi Three-Star Certification
The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare’s Eruboshi certification recognizes companies that have formulated and submitted a general action plan as a business owner and that meet certain requirements, such as excellence in implementing initiatives for female participation and advancement. The highest level of Eruboshi certification is three stars, which is given to companies that meet all five criteria (including the ratio of managers to employees and work hours), and the ministry annually discloses those achievements on its database of companies that promotes women’s careers. Daicel Corporation earned its three-star certification in September 2020.
“Leading Company for Women’s Active Participation” Certification from Osaka City
Osaka City certifies companies and organizations that actively create workplace environments that are friendly to women under its “Leading Company for Women’s Active Participation” program. In accordance with certain standards this program certifies companies that are proactively working to create a workplace in which women can work comfortably. The aim is to gain social recognition for these companies and spread their initiatives broadly.
Since November 2019, Daicel Corporation has held the highest level of certification (three stars). We shall continue to strive to be a company where each and every employee, regardless of gender, nationality or disability, can continue to work while expressing their individuality and making the most of their abilities.
Certified as a “DX-Certified Operator” by Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry
The DX Certification is based on the Act on Facilitation of Information Processing. The national certification initiative certifies companies that are recognized as ready to promote digital transformation and meet the basic requirements specified in the "Digital Governance Code."
This is a document that summarizes what action business managers are required to take to accommodate how society is being transformed by digital technology.
Daicel Corporation earned this certification in October 2023 as a “DX-certified operator.”
