The Benesse Corporation's greenhouse gas emission targets for 2030 and 2050 were certified by the SBT initiative based on scientific evidence to “keep the global average temperature increase well below 2°C and below the 1.5°C compared to pre-industrial levels” under the Paris Agreement. We also received SBT certification from the Initiative in May 2021.
Additionally, Scope 1 and 2 have been updated to the 1.5°C target and re-certified as SBTi. For Scope 3, we have set a 2°C target.
Using 2018 as the baseline year, we have set the following reduction targets.

• ・Scope 1 and 2: 52.8% reduction by 2030, 100% by 2041, 100% by 2050
• ・Scope 3: 14.8% reduction in 2030, 39.4% reduction in 2050

• SBT-certified corporate action list

Benesse Corporation endorses the GX Basic Concept, which is the result of discussions held by the "Study Group on Economic Methods to Achieve Carbon Neutrality Worldwide" (Chairman: Hiroshi Ohashi, Dean, Graduate School of Public Policy, The University of Tokyo), and participates in the GX League.

Benesse Corporation endorses the aims of the "White Logistics" promotion movement advocated by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, and the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries as a voluntary activity to realize sustainable logistics, and has submitted a voluntary action declaration to the "White Logistics" promotion movement secretariat. For more details, please see the following.

• Doing Our Part to Promote “White Logistics” Benesse Action Plan for the Development of Sustainable Logistics
• White Logistics" Promotion Campaign Portal Site [Japanese]

Benesse Holdings and Benesse Corporation support the "Deco-Katsu" program promoted by the Ministry of the Environment to strongly encourage behavioral and lifestyle changes among the public and consumers to achieve the 2030 reduction and the 2050 carbon neutrality targets. In addition to our own energy and resource conservation efforts, we are also promoting environmental education for our employees and staff, as well as environmental education and environmental information tailored to the developmental stages of children.

• National Movement for New and Prosperous Lifestyles toward Decarbonization Portal Site

On April 10, 2024, Benesse Corporation was newly certified as an “Eco-First Company” under the Ministry of the Environment’s “Eco-First Company System.”
Under the Eco-First System, a company commits to the Minister of the Environment to undertake its own environmental conservation initiatives, such as measures to combat global warming, reduce waste, and promote recycling. In return, the Minister certifies the company as an "advanced, unique, and industry-leading business activity" in the environmental field, recognizing it as an environmentally advanced company within the industry.

• Ministry of the Environment Eco-First Scheme | Company-specific commitments【Japanese】

Benesse Holdings supports JCI's declaration, "Joining the front line of the global push for decarbonization of Japan" and agrees with the JCI's Statement to Call for an Ambitious 2030 Target for Japan to Realize the Paris Agreement Goal which was announced on April 19, 2021. To ensure a beautiful global environment is preserved for the children of the future, we support the Paris Agreement and the Japanese government's decarbonization policies. We also comply with Japan's climate change laws, including the law related to the streamlining of energy usage (the Act on Rationalizing Energy Use) and the Act on Promotion of Global Warming Countermeasures. Following the climate change laws, the Group conducts environmental activities including the submission of annual reports to the government disclosing our energy use, greenhouse gas emissions, and our progress in the achievement of energy conservation goals. Furthermore, we have raised the Scope 1 and 2 targets for Benesse Corporation, our main subsidiary, to achieve the “1.5°C target" (as of the end of December 2021) and are continuing reduction activities to achieve this goal. Simultaneously, we have set our target for the ratio of renewable energy to total installed capacity at 100% for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2041. To decarbonize, we actively participate in the organization’s seminars and study groups, share the information we have obtained through our own efforts, and consider the use of the advanced techniques and technologies of member companies, local governments, organizations, and NGOs. The results of Benesse Holdings' activities can be found on the JCI website.
Together with all JCI stakeholders, we will actively advocate for policies to achieve a decarbonized society.

• JCI Message: Calling for an Ambitious 2030 Target to Realize the Paris Agreement Goal in Japan as well【Japanese】

Benesse Holdings endorses the Keidanren Biodiversity Declaration Initiative and is promoting biodiversity initiatives.

 * The Keidanren Declaration on Biodiversity Initiative communicates and introduces the logos, future-oriented action policies and examples of activities of companies and organisations that are involved in more than one of the seven items of the Keidanren Declaration on Biodiversity and Action Guidelines (revised version), or that support the overall aims of the initiative, on a special website for internal and external use.

• Keidanren Declaration on Biodiversity and Action Guidelines

We are participating in the Human Capital Management Consortium, which was established in August 2022 with the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and the Financial Services Agency as observers.
The Consortium was established for the purpose of sharing advanced examples of human capital management practices, discussing inter-company cooperation, and examining effective information disclosure. Our President & CEO and the Managing Executive Officer and General Manager of ESG & Sustainability Promotion Division attended the inaugural meeting.
Through our participation in this consortium, we will deepen our knowledge and practice "human capital management" that leads to medium- and long-term improvement of corporate value.

■FYI: Human Capital Management Consortium to Be Established (Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry)