Harmony with nature, Biodiversity

Thorough management of chemical substances and reduction of environmentally hazardous substances

The regulations to administrate the usage and discharge of environmentally hazardous substance which have adverse impact on ecosystems and human health are being strengthened. Additionally, companies are required to implement measures to thoroughly manage and reduce the environmentally hazardous substance throughout the entire product lifecycle, from production to disposal, and comply with various related regulations.
As a MONOZUKURI (manufacturing) company, it is a social responsibility to reduce the environmentally hazardous substance. JTEKT not only reduces the amount of substances used and discharged during production, but also identifies and thoroughly manages the environmentally hazardous substance  contained in its products.

Biodiversity conservation

The diversity of living things on Earth is rapidly disappearing due to the shrinking of habitats from the expanded destruction of nature, and "preventing the loss of biodiversity" is one of the SDGs goals. Corporate activities depend on the benefits we receive from the natural world, and at the same time, they have a significant impact on biodiversity. This is why it is important that companies are proactively involved in biodiversity conservation activities such as protecting the natural habitat. In JTEKT's Biodiversity Conservation Action Guidelines (formulated in March 2011), JTEKT positions biodiversity conservation as an important social issue supporting lives and livelihoods, and is expanding the circle of activities related to biodiversity by promoting initiatives at each plant that make the most of local characteristics.

Environmental Action Plan 2025 / FY2023 Activity Result

Category Initiative items Target and initiative policy FY2023 Activity Result Assessment
Thorough management of chemical substances and reduction of environmentally hazardous substance (1)  Reduction of environmentally hazardous substance in production activities ① Reduce volume of discharged/transferred substances regulated by PRTR
② Reduce environmentally hazardous substance  by eliminating the use of kerosene in the production process 		 ① Volume of discharged/transferred substances regulated by PRTR:73.8t(+42.7t compared with FY2022)
②Switching to alternative oil in the production process has been completed at 3 out of the 5 target plants.
*Substances regulated by PRTR: Factors for increase from the previous year=>Increase in the amount of chemical substances newly covered by the revised law		 △
Biodiversity Conservation (2) Biodiversity initiatives ① Promote environmental protection activities based on the Biodiversity Conservation Action Guideline
② Promote biodiversity conservation activities in the JTEKT group "connecting with the community"
Increase the number of activity participants to over 3,000 in the entire JTEKT group by FY2025		 ① Organize environmental education for children and participate in activities sponsored by local governments
② Participation in Biodiversity Activities in FY2023
Participants of 2,319 employees in the entire JTEKT group (FY2023 target: 2,280 employees)

Elimination of all environmentally hazardous substances contained in products.

Governance of the management of chemical substances in products

We have established a management system for chemical substances contained in products centered on the "Product and  Environment Committee", which is chaired by the Chief of Business Field from Research and Development Division. The committee meets twice a year to clarify issues and set targets based on company policies, discuss and decide on the appropriateness of measures, and manage progress.
In addition, seven working groups have been established under it, which promote activities by clarifying the division of roles and responsibilities for formulating company-wide policies for the management of chemical substances in products, establishing domestic and overseas systems, conducting internal and external audits and education, and promoting design changes and product switches when chemical substances contained in products are changed.

Product and Environment Committee

Major FY2023 results

Major initiatives in the Product and Environment Committee

The policy formulation working group (see above table ①) conducted industry benchmarking, re-identified our company's issues, and promoted the formulation of strategies and countermeasures. Moreover, in order to reflect these measures in the system, the system creation working group (⑥ in the table above) renewed the core regulations and revised related regulations. we revamped the core regulations and revised the related regulations. In particular, in order to realize organizational decisions rather than individual decisions, we clarified the roles and responsibilities of each department, created multiple business flow diagrams assuming various cases, and started operation. Meanwhile, we are aiming to build an autonomous management system for chemical substances contained in products, which exceeds customer requirements, by carefully repeating dialogue and discussions with the participation of all employees so that we can ensure that we will not be satisfied with the status quo, and we will do what is not being done now, "for the earth, for the world, and for our customers" as our decision-making criterion.

Reduction of environmental impacts in production activities

Reduction of substances subject to PRTR Law

JTEKT is working to manage and reduce chemical substances released into the environment as a result of its production activities.

Emissions of substances subject to PRTR Law in FY2023 were approximately 73.8 tons, an increase of approximately 42.7 tons from the previous year. This is due to an increase of approximately 55.4 tons of chemical substances newly covered by the revised law, and we will work to reduce these chemical substances from FY2012 onward.
Of the substances regulated by PRTR, VOC emissions were approximately 23.8 t, a decrease of about 3.8 tons from the previous fiscal year. However, to further pursue reduction in use, we will work to completely eliminate the use of kerosene in the production process in accordance with the Environmental Action Plan 2025.

Compliance with revised PRTR

In order to comply with the chemical substances subject to notification ＊note to be changed (added or deleted) from April 1, 2023, JTEKT had been preparing for the revision by reviewing its management system, such as revising its work procedures and conducting in-house trainings. Therefore, we have been able to properly report the release and transfer amounts for fiscal 2023, even for the substances that were added due to the revision. We will continue to strengthen our management system to comply with laws and regulations.
＊note :PRTR Law Class I Designated Chemical Substances and Class I Specified Chemical Substance

Initiative to completely eliminate the use of kerosene for purposes other than fuel use

JTEKT is working to completely eliminate the use of kerosene for purposes other than fuel use by FY2025 in order to reduce hazardous substances and risks pertaining to safety and fire prevention. In FY2022, JTEKT started long-term operational tests on production lines using alternative oils and the switchover was completed at 3 out of the 5 plants in FY 2023. The remaining 2 plants are scheduled to be switched by September 2024.

Proper storage and control of PCB devices

PCB (polychlorinated biphenyl), which were widely used in insulating oils, must be stored, disposed of, and reported according to the Act on Special Measures concerning Promotion of Proper Treatment of PCB Wastes. At JTEKT, PCB is notified to the authorities, properly stored, and disposed of in accordance with this act.
In FY2023, JTEKT disposed of equipment that had been stored as low-concentration PCB waste. Besides, we have been replacing capacitors used in production facilities that may be contaminated with low concentrations of PCBs. The removed small capacitors shall be analyzed for concentration and then disposed of appropriately.

Initiatives for soil and groundwater

JTEKT continues to implement ongoing measures at two plants in response to the groundwater pollution caused by "trichloroethylene" contained in detergents and other materials. The Kariya Plant is implementing the "prevention of external leaks", and the Okazaki Plant is implementing "complete purification" in addition to the "prevention of external leaks". To prevent leaks outside the plant premises, we have continually been using the pumping and aeration system (*1) since 1998.
In 2020, the Okazaki Plant injected nutrients into the ground to increase the activity of microorganisms that decompose chloroethylene, and temporarily achieved levels below the standard at all locations, but since there was a rise in concentrations below the standard, they are planning to inject more nutrients in FY2024 to prevent the concentration from rising again.
JTEKT regularly reports the assessment results of groundwater measurements to government agencies and provides local residents with explanations at community meetings.

*1 Pumping and aeration system: A system of pumping groundwater up and sprayeding, and blowing air from below to aerate and separate organic solvents to be removed by adhering to activated carbon.

Measured trichloroethylene value (maximum)

Kariya Plant
FY2022：0.313mg/L　　FY2023：0.289mg/L　　Current status ： Purifying
Okazaki Plant
FY2022：0.008mg/L　　FY2023：0.005mg/L　　Current status ： Purifying

Initiatives to replace CFC devices

Production of HCFC refrigerants has been discontinued since 2020 in accordance with the Montreal Protocol and Ozone Layer Protection Act. JTEKT will sequentially replace its R22 air conditioners to protect the ozone layer and reduce greenhouse gases.

Initiatives for biodiversity

Biodiversity Conservation Action Guideline

In order to reduce the environmental burden created by our business activities and be mindful of biodiversity, JTEKT established the Biodiversity Conservation Action Guidelines in March 2011 based on the Environmental Action Plan 2015 of our JTEKT Group Environmental Vision.

Biodiversity Conservation Action Guideline

Biodiversity Conservation Action Guideline1

JTEKT's aspiration

JTEKT's biodiversity conservation activities focus on the three main initiatives of 1) protecting the rare living species that inhabit or grow at each plant, 2) enhancing the local natural environments surrounding each plant and 3) developing environmentally-minded professionals in order to achieve conservation of biodiversity on an ongoing basis. We engage in activities to protect the rare living species at each plant based on objective evaluations incorporating the viewpoints of experts and academics.

Biodiversity risks and opportunities in business activities

JTEKT's business activities and natural capital are influenced by each other. In the life cycle of our business activities, which begins with the procurement of raw materials, we see the use of resources such as water and energy, as well as emissions into the air and water as risks. We also see these as opportunities for biodiversity, such as mitigating climate change by reducing CO2 emissions through the provision of products that improve the environmental performance of vehicles, etc., and maintaining the function of recharging water sources through forest conservation activities, which leads to a reduction in the risk of flood damage at the site of our business.

Impact on biodiversity

We conducted pressure assessments on biodiversity using the WWF Biodiversity Risk Filter (BRF)* targeting all JTEKT Group sites and the sites of 40 major Japan suppliers (equivalent to 70% of the procurement amount). As a result, none of the sites were rated as high risk (4.5 or higher on a scale of 1 to 5).
We will continue to promote activities to the maximum extent possible so that our business activities do not have an impact on biodiversity due to emissions into the air and waters or soil pollution.。
* WWF Biodiversity Risk Filter (BRF)
Risk tools related to biodiversity published by the World Wide Fund for Nature

Map of JTEKT biodiversity conservation activities

Business locations in both Japan and overseas of JTEKT and the JTEKT group endeavor to promote biodiversity conservation initiatives by connecting the activities of individual plants. Each business location has established activity themes to carry on the activities. JTEKT will continue to promote the initiatives in order to expand the circle of activities.

■ Overseas

Representative Initiatives - Overseas Examples

Mangrove Forest Activities

JTEKT Asia Pacific (JTAP), JTEKT Indonesia (JID) and JTEKT Indonesia Sales (JIDS), in cooperation with the Indonesian government's Mangrove Forest Restoration Program, donated and planted 2,600 mangroves along the shoreline of Muarabal village. This activity not only protects our land, but also contributes to creating shelter for marine life and absorbing carbon dioxide emissions.
Trees donated by JTEKT are registered with the West Java Provincial Forestry Department for reforestation. Considering the importance of reforestation and its positive impacts on the environment, we have adopted this activity as our annual company policy.

Mangrove Forest Activities

■Japan

▶ The window for the activity will pop up when you click on the name.

Kokubu Plant Tokushima Plant Tadomisaki Plant Kariya Plant Hanazono Plant Toyohashi Plant Kagawa Plant Nara Plant Iga Proving Ground, Kameyama Plant Kanto Plant (Hamura) Kanto Plant (Sayama) Okazaki Plant Head Office/indirect Departments

Main implementation items

Participation in Tokyo Greenship Action

Kanto Plant: The Hamura Plant has signed an agreement with the Tokyo Metropolitan Government and local NPOs to participate in Tokyo Greenship Action. Tokyo Greenship Action is an activity to preserve the natural environment while interacting with nature in conservation areas designated by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government.
The Hamura Plant has been participating in activities in the "Yokosawairi Satoyama Conservation Area" (Akiruno City) and held a rice harvesting event in FY2023. We will continue to contribute to the community by participating in satoyama conservation activities in this area.

Tokyo Greenship Action

Support for the "the Declaration of Biodiversity by Keidanren"

JTEKT announced its support for the Declaration of Biodiversity by Keidanrenthe in December 2021.
This initiative aims to enhance the voice of the Japanese business community at the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP) and other meetings.
From now on, we will collaborate with the supporting companies and organizations and cooperate with them in this initiative.

Participation in the Ministry of the Environment's "30by30 Alliance for Biodiversity"

JTEKT has been a member of the "30by30 Alliance for Biodiversity" since its founding in April 2022. This initiative aims to achieve the goal ofalting and restoring biodiversity loss (Nature Positive) by 2030, and to conserve and protect at least 30% of the country's terrestrial and marine areas (30 by 30). We will continue to actively participate in initiatives aimed at achieving our goals in cooperation with participating governments, companies and organizations.

All-Toyota Green Wave Project

JTEKT participates in the "All Toyota Green Wave Project", which collaborates with Toyota Group companies on biodiversity conservation activities. Through the Green Wave Project, the "conservation activities of the little tern nesting ground" at the JTEKT Tadomisaki Plant developed into a "connecting" activity with three Toyota Group companies (Toyota Industries Corporation, Toyota Motor Corporation, Aisin Corporation) that also have plants in the Kinuura area.
We will continue to expand our initiative so that the Kinuura Port Little Tern Conservation Project can serve as a model for little tern conservation across Japan.

All-Toyota Green Wave Projectト
Green Wave Project activity logo

The Nature Conservation Society of Japan

JTEKT joined the Nature Conservation Society of Japan in 2020. In the future, we will further enhance and expand the framework of our activities by developing an environmental education program in cooperation with the Nature Conservation Society of Japan and collaborating with member companies and groups.