JSR Group’s Contribution to Attainment of the SDGs
1. Philosophy
JSR Group believes that there is a need to deeply understand global issues, such as those cited in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)*, and other social problems apparent in various regions in order to carry out corporate activities. Activities to resolve these issues are new business opportunities, and are also linked to expanded business fields and enhanced corporate value. JSR Group will do its part to achieve the SDGs by creating value through its corporate activities.
At the same time, we view the SDGs as challenges within the Group’s management foundation and therefore promote activities that give attention to them in our internal operations.
* Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):
“Transforming our World: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development” was adopted at the UN Sustainable Development Summit in September 2015. The SDGs are comprised of 17 goals and 169 targets that all United Nations member states strive to achieve by 2030 for the betterment of people’s lives, the environment, and prosperity. In addition to conventional development goals, such as eradicating extreme poverty and hunger, the SDGs also cover challenges faced by developed countries, among them gender (sex as determined by social and cultural factors) equality, creation of a strong employment environment, reexamination of production and consumption, climate change mitigation, conservation of resources, and development of safe communities.
2. JSR Group Activities
(1) Relationship between Materiality and the SDGS
JSR Group significantly revamped its policy on sustainability activities in 2020. Following this updated policy, we are working to implement a new form of sustainability management that integrates our actions in terms of consideration for the environment, solutions to social issues and governance with business operations.
We have identified important issues for management from the perspective of sustainability as sustainability promotion activities (co-creation with companies and society), representing an extension of our previous CSR activities. These activities, which are already underway, will also contribute to the realization of the SDGs.
(2) Encouraging Employees to Get Involved with the SDGs
JSR Group hosts briefings and other meetings so as to deepen employee understanding of sustainability and utilize this knowledge in their daily work. Within these, we have also established opportunities for employees to learn about the SDGs.
For example, in FY2021, departments investigated and discussed the following three points for the sustainability report reading sessions held annually. We utilize the results in our sustainability activities and sustainability report.
- Awareness of the SDGs
- Opinions on materiality
- Business opportunities arising from social issues
We held the following briefing session and seminar for those interested.
- Briefing on the fundamentals of the SDGs by an internal instructor
- Seminar on SDGs utilization led by an outside instructor