Biodiversity Action Guidelines

The Earth’s ecosystem is made up of diverse living organisms. All aspects of human civilization benefit from this ecosystem, but at the same time, we affect it in both direct and indirect ways. Today, damage to the ecosystem is said to be driving many species to extinction and otherwise eroding biodiversity.

In recognition of this, the Mitsubishi Electric Group has established Biodiversity Action Guidelines, which add to the Group’s environmental activities aimed at the creation of a low-carbon and recycling-based society from the perspective of biodiversity conservation. These guidelines define the role of business activities in preserving biodiversity, and outline the Group’s efforts toward the development of a sustainable society through its business activities.

Resources & Procurement

Recognizing that we utilize globally procured natural resources such as minerals, fuels and plants, we shall aim to preserve biodiversity in Japan and around the world by carrying out green procurement activities.

Product Design

In designing our products and services, we shall promote the effective utilization of resources and the efficient use of energy, as well as aim to prevent the emission of substances that pose a risk to the environment.

Manufacturing & Transportation

When commencing or making changes to land use, such as when constructing factories or warehouses, we will give due consideration to protecting the biodiversity of the land in question. In manufacturing and transportation, we aim to minimize energy use, waste generation and the emission of chemical substances.

Sales, Usage & Maintenance

In our sales activities, we will work to promote better understanding among our customers of the impact that product/service usage and maintenance can have on biodiversity.

Collection & Recycling

We will actively develop recycling technologies and apply them to collected end-of-life products.

Understanding & Action

We will deepen our understanding of the importance of biodiversity and our relationship to it, and will actively and voluntarily take actions necessary to coexist in harmony with nature.

Cooperation

All companies in the Mitsubishi Electric Group, including overseas affiliates, will act as one, in cooperation with local communities, NGOs and governments.

Considering Biodiversity in All of Our Business Activities

All human activities benefit from the workings of a wide variety of organisms living on earth. At the same time, various activities by human beings are destroying ecosystems and are otherwise having serious effects on biodiversity. Now, at a time when the extinction of many species is being reported, biodiversity preservation is a shared issue for all humanity.

The Mitsubishi Electric Group identifies "Respect for Biodiversity" as one of the pillars of Environmental Vision 2021, which was set forth in October 2007. This is because we believe that a strong desire to protect the earth’s environment forms the most important foundation for a sustainable society. To this end, it is imperative to foster and develop environmental awareness in each employee. In May 2010, we introduced our Biodiversity Action Guidelines. These guidelines have two main features: (1) they include the pledge of every Mitsubishi Electric Group employee to understand the relationship between business activities and biodiversity in order for the Group to consider biodiversity in all of its business activities; and (2) they are structured according to each stage of the product lifecycle to facilitate this.

Visualizing the Relationship between Business Activities and Biodiversity to Implement Proper Action

To deepen employee understanding of biodiversity, Mitsubishi Electric has summarized the relationship between the company’s business activities and biodiversity in a chart as shown below. Using this chart, the Mitsubishi Electric Group’s business sites both in Japan and overseas are renewing their awareness of relations between their own business activities and the biodiversity and natural environment of their surrounding region, and are linking this awareness to concrete actions that contribute to communication with local communities and to the preservation of biodiversity.

Biodiversity Preservation Activities