Environmental issues are an important global priority. We believe that corporations have a duty to actively promote environmental activities. To fulfill its corporate philosophy, Benesse = Supporting the Well-Being of Everyone, the Benesse Group has positioned the environment as a key management priority and is actively promoting initiatives according to the characteristics of each of its business domains, which mainly include education and childcare, language/global leadership training, and senior/nursing care.
We will adhere to all environmental laws and regulations when undertaking environmental activities. At the same time, we will have every person involved in our business proactively take part in environmental activities while working to continuously upgrade environmental management systems and environmental performance. Details of these activities are as follows:
(1)Promote climate control and environmental consciousness in products and services, as well as in sales and other activities
We promote environmentally conscious design principles, including avoiding the use of hazardous substances, climate control through resource reduction and other GHG emission reduction, the preservation of biodiversity and water resources and the efficient use of water, to ensure that we provide safe, low environmental impact materials. We apply these principles to products, services, and to marketing tools.
(2)Encourage energy reduction and waste reduction for climate control, recycling, the preservation of biodiversity and the reduction of water resources
We work to prevent environmental pollution and reduce environmental impact in the course of business activities by encouraging climate control through GHG emission reduction activities, including energy reduction and waste reduction, recycling, the preservation of biodiversity and the reduction of water resources, including the efficient use of water through the implementation of new technologies and other means.
(3)Engage society
We leverage the unique characteristics of each of the Group's businesses to collaborate with society and local communities in environmental activities that promote environmental education, community programs and other activities for climate control through the reduction of GHG emissions, preservation of biodiversity and the reduction of water resources, including the efficient use of water.
This Environmental Policy will be made known to all employees and other personnel involved in the Group's business activities and will also be disclosed to the public.
August 1, 2011
Revised March 22, 2021
Benesse Holdings, Inc.
Benesse Holdings, Inc., Benesse Holdings, Inc. Sustainability Promotion, Benesse Holdings, Inc. Corporate Communications & Investor Relations Department, Benesse Holdings, Inc. Administrative Division, Benesse Corporation, Benesse Foundation for Children, Benesse Educational Research and Development Institute, Berlitz Corporation, SIMUL INTERNATIONAL, INC., Tokyo Individualized Educational Institute, INC.,, Ochanomizu Seminar Co., Ltd., UP Inc., Benesse Style Care Co., Ltd., Benesse Business-mate, Inc., Benesse Socius, Inc., Fukutake Foundation, FUKUTAKE EDUCATION AND CULTURE FOUNDATION, CLASSICO Inc.
Promotional Framework
The Sustainability Promotion Committee, chaired by the Managing Executive Officer in charge of Sustainability and composed of full-time directors, including the President, CEO, and business unit managers, meets regularly to determine policies on ESG issues and to monitor the status of ESG activities. The activities of the Committee are supervised by the Board of Directors and matters discussed by the Committee are regularly reported to and discussed by the Executive Committee and the Board of Directors.
In addition, outside directors, corporate auditors, and the chairperson's designee may participate as observers at each meeting.
At Benesse Corporation, we promote education on the environment and a reduction in the environmental burden including a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by establishing an environmental supervisor in each division and creating annual plans with customers and at each business stage.
Benesse Holdings, Inc., Benesse Holdings, Inc. Sustainability Promotion, Benesse Holdings, Inc. Corporate Communications & Investor Relations Department, Benesse Holdings, Inc. Administrative Division, Benesse Corporation, Benesse Foundation for Children, Benesse Educational Research and Development Institute, Berlitz Corporation, SIMUL INTERNATIONAL, INC., Tokyo Individualized Educational Institute, INC.,, Ochanomizu Seminar Co., Ltd., UP Inc., Benesse Style Care Co., Ltd., Benesse Business-mate, Inc., Benesse Socius, Inc., Fukutake Foundation, FUKUTAKE EDUCATION AND CULTURE FOUNDATION, CLASSICO Inc.
Environmental audits
At Benesse, we implement screenings and internal audits once per year through a certifying body based on ISO14001. The internal audits are held to improve the environmental management system from the previous screening (target for FY2023 audit: Benesse Corporation)
There were no major instances of non-conformity but there were two opportunities for improvement in the screening by the certifying body.
■ Major Instances of Non-conformity or Examples of Recommended Items (Opportunities for Improvement)
• Compliance with amendments to the Occupational Health and Safety Law
• Organisation of goods in oil embankments
■ Main Positive Examples
• Contribution to solving social issues through business (digitisation of educational materials)
• High awareness and proactive initiatives to reduce GHG emissions, SDGs/ESG management, etc.
• Updated reduction target to the '1.5°C target'
• An improvement in mindset fostered as part of the organisational culture, promoting a more active organisation with activities based on “Purpose-ism”.
• A strong commitment to creating social value in conjunction with the business
Status of the FY2023 Environmental Audit (cases)
No.
Items to Check (total)
Instances of Non-conformity or Recommended Items
Positive Examples
1
Work processes(25)
2
34
2
Products and services(17)
*including environmental education
15
3
EMS, etc.(3)
6
Benesse Holdings, Inc., Benesse Holdings, Inc. Sustainability Promotion, Benesse Holdings, Inc. Corporate Communications & Investor Relations Department, Benesse Holdings, Inc. Administrative Division, Benesse Corporation, Benesse Foundation for Children, Benesse Educational Research and Development Institute, Berlitz Corporation, SIMUL INTERNATIONAL, INC., Tokyo Individualized Educational Institute, INC.,, Ochanomizu Seminar Co., Ltd., UP Inc., Benesse Style Care Co., Ltd., Benesse Business-mate, Inc., Benesse Socius, Inc., Fukutake Foundation, FUKUTAKE EDUCATION AND CULTURE FOUNDATION, CLASSICO Inc.
ISO 14001 Certification
In 2004, Benesse acquired ISO14001 certification, an international standard for environmental management systems. Efforts are underway to deliver environmentally-conscious products and services and reduce our environmental burden in our business activities based on the Benesse Group Environmental Policy and Guidelines. The Benesse Group also aims to increase the number of personnel capable of promoting environmental education, understanding environmental problems, and engaging in environmentally-conscious actions.
* Transition to 2015 version complete (FY2017), and update to 2023 version complete Expiry date: 11 November 2025
PDCA in the Environmental Management System
Benesse Holdings, Inc., Benesse Holdings, Inc. Sustainability Promotion, Benesse Holdings, Inc. Corporate Communications & Investor Relations Department, Benesse Holdings, Inc. Administrative Division, Benesse Corporation, Benesse Foundation for Children, Benesse Educational Research and Development Institute, Berlitz Corporation, SIMUL INTERNATIONAL, INC., Tokyo Individualized Educational Institute, INC.,, Ochanomizu Seminar Co., Ltd., UP Inc., Benesse Style Care Co., Ltd., Benesse Business-mate, Inc., Benesse Socius, Inc., Fukutake Foundation, FUKUTAKE EDUCATION AND CULTURE FOUNDATION, CLASSICO Inc.
Environmental Initiatives
The Benesse Group is involved in the following initiatives following the three areas defined in the Environmental Policy
Promote climate control and environmental consciousness in products and services, as well as in sales and other activities
■Engagement with non-profit organizations, non-governmental organizations, administrative organizations, and high school and university students
Cooperation through engagement several times throughout the year on a variety of themes related to the environment, including measures against climate change, biological diversity, energy-saving, and renewable energy
Benesse Holdings, Inc., Benesse Holdings, Inc. Sustainability Promotion, Benesse Holdings, Inc. Corporate Communications & Investor Relations Department, Benesse Holdings, Inc. Administrative Division, Benesse Corporation, Benesse Foundation for Children, Benesse Educational Research and Development Institute, Berlitz Corporation, SIMUL INTERNATIONAL, INC., Tokyo Individualized Educational Institute, INC.,, Ochanomizu Seminar Co., Ltd., UP Inc., Benesse Style Care Co., Ltd., Benesse Business-mate, Inc., Benesse Socius, Inc., Fukutake Foundation, FUKUTAKE EDUCATION AND CULTURE FOUNDATION, CLASSICO Inc.
Environmental Laws and Regulations
Japan:(1)Energy Reduction Law (2)Waste Disposal Law (3)Containers and Packaging Recycling Law
Overseas:Basic Environment Act (Taiwan)
There were no violations against environmental laws and regulations in FY2022.
Benesse Holdings, Inc., Benesse Holdings, Inc. Sustainability Promotion, Benesse Holdings, Inc. Corporate Communications & Investor Relations Department, Benesse Holdings, Inc. Administrative Division, Benesse Corporation, Benesse Foundation for Children, Benesse Educational Research and Development Institute, Berlitz Corporation, SIMUL INTERNATIONAL, INC., Tokyo Individualized Educational Institute, INC.,, Ochanomizu Seminar Co., Ltd., UP Inc., Benesse Style Care Co., Ltd., Benesse Business-mate, Inc., Benesse Socius, Inc., Fukutake Foundation, FUKUTAKE EDUCATION AND CULTURE FOUNDATION, CLASSICO Inc.
Branches Covered under the Environmental Management System
Base Name
Location
Business Content
Okayama Headquarters
3-7-17 Minamigata, Kita-ku, Okayama-shi, Okayama
Planning, creation, and sales of distance learning materials, trial exams for schools, career path materials, magazines, and other related products
Tokyo Headquarters
Tama Office
1-34 Ochiai, Tama-shi, Tokyo
Tokyo Headquarters
Shinjuku Office
Shinjuku-Mitsui Building, 2-1-1 Nishi Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo
Tokyo Headquarters
Hatsudai Office
1-53-6 Hatsudai, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Planning, creation, sales, and alliances for teaching materials for the classroom business
Benesse Logistics Center
660 Osafune-cho Osafune, Setouchi-shi, Okayama
Storage and shipping of distance learning materials, trial exams for schools, career path materials, magazines, and other related products
(As of Jun 2023)
Benesse Holdings, Inc., Benesse Holdings, Inc. Sustainability Promotion, Benesse Holdings, Inc. Corporate Communications & Investor Relations Department, Benesse Holdings, Inc. Administrative Division, Benesse Corporation, Benesse Foundation for Children, Benesse Educational Research and Development Institute, Berlitz Corporation, SIMUL INTERNATIONAL, INC., Tokyo Individualized Educational Institute, INC.,, Ochanomizu Seminar Co., Ltd., UP Inc., Benesse Style Care Co., Ltd., Benesse Business-mate, Inc., Benesse Socius, Inc., Fukutake Foundation, FUKUTAKE EDUCATION AND CULTURE FOUNDATION, CLASSICO Inc.
External Evaluations and Awards
Leadership level A for CDP Climate Change 2023
Benesse Holdings
According to the survey CDP Climate Change 2023, we were selected as a company with a leadership level of A regarding greenhouse gas emission activities and activities to reduce and adapt to the effects of climate change.
The following are past CDP Climate Change assessments.
Received the highest rating of "Leader" in the CDP2023 Supplier Engagement Assessment
Benesse Holdings
Benesse Holdings, Inc. has been selected as a "CDP2023 Supplier Engagement Leader," the highest rating in the CDP2023 supplier engagement evaluation, for five consecutive years.
458 companies, including 109 Japanese companies, were selected as CDP2023 Supplier Engagement Leaders in recognition of their actions and strategies to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and manage climate risks in their supply chains.
Acquired Science Based Targets (SBT) Certification
Benesse Corporation
Benesse's greenhouse gas emission targets for 2030 and 2050 have been approved by the SBTi as science-based targets suitable for "keeping the global average temperature increase well below 2°C and below 1.5°C compared to pre-industrial levels" under the Paris Agreement. They have thus obtained SBTi certification from the Initiative. Furthermore, for Scope 1 and 2, the target has been updated to a '1.5°C' target and re-certified as SBTi. For Scope 3, a 2°C target has been set. With 2018 as the base year, the following reduction targets have been set.
・Scope 1 and 2: 52.8% in 2030, 100% in 2041 and 100% reduction in 2050.
・Scope 3: 14.8% reduction in 2030, 39.4% in 2050.
Benesse Holdings, Inc., Benesse Holdings, Inc. Sustainability Promotion, Benesse Holdings, Inc. Corporate Communications & Investor Relations Department, Benesse Holdings, Inc. Administrative Division, Benesse Corporation, Benesse Foundation for Children, Benesse Educational Research and Development Institute, Berlitz Corporation, SIMUL INTERNATIONAL, INC., Tokyo Individualized Educational Institute, INC.,, Ochanomizu Seminar Co., Ltd., UP Inc., Benesse Style Care Co., Ltd., Benesse Business-mate, Inc., Benesse Socius, Inc., Fukutake Foundation, FUKUTAKE EDUCATION AND CULTURE FOUNDATION, CLASSICO Inc.