Environmental Initiatives and Greening Initiatives Undertaken by the Sumitomo Rubber Group
Guided by the “Sumitomo Business Philosophy,” since the Meiji period, Sumitomo Group companies have been engaged in tree planting at Mount Besshi—the desolated site of a former copper mine—in Ehime Prefecture, striving to bring its natural environment back to the original state. This spirit has been passed down to Sumitomo Rubber Group, serving as a cornerstone for its endeavors.
Green Initiatives in Japan
“Sumitomo Rubber GENKI Forest
The Sumitomo Rubber Group
The primary objectives of our forest development efforts include protecting biodiversity and preventing landslides and other disasters, along with curbing global warming through the absorption of CO2. In Japan, we develop the forests around our business bases, engaging in greening activities in 11 locations (covering 32 ha) across the country. We collectively call these locations the Sumitomo Rubber GENKI Forest.
In order to protect biodiversity, we plant only seedlings grown from seeds gathered in the target area. In 2023, we planted a total of 543 trees and provided 4,978 seedlings. Our forestation activities also include cutting back weeds, removing unnecessary trees and other ongoing forest maintenance tasks.
We also consider communicating with local communities through satoyama (working forests that are maintained and managed by humans) conservation activities, another important objective. To align our forestation activities with the circumstances unique to each local community, we promote collaborative activities in which employees, their families, friends, local residents and regional organizations participate.
Kouno Yama GENKI Forest managed by Izumiotsu Factory (Osaka)
Planting Trees for the Future through the Acorn Project
The Sumitomo Rubber Group
In fiscal 2005, the Sumitomo Rubber Group launched an initiative involving growing seedlings from acorns and then planting them as part of greening activities. In fiscal 2007, we also established the “Acorn Bank,” which offers residents of our local communities as well as employees’ families opportunities to take part in acorn collection. In fiscal 2008, we expanded these acorn planting initiatives further, creating the “Planting Trees for the Future: Acorn Project.” Since then, staff at eight business bases in Japan have continued to nurture seedlings on their premises grown from acorns collected by the Acorn Bank.
In fiscal 2023, we provided 4,978 seedlings, bringing the cumulative total number of seedlings planted under the project to 206,687. Going forward, we will continue to promote these activities at all domestic business bases, with employees, their families, ex-employees and residents of neighboring communities working together to protect the environment.
The Ichijima Factory Wins the “Prime Minister’s Award as a Contributor to Greening Promotion”
The Ichijima Factory has proactively worked to develop a mixed forest comprising both coniferous trees and broadleaf trees from the perspective of protecting biodiversity, to this end carefully conserving a native forest that exists on its premises. At the same time, the factory has been active in protecting rare species living on its premises. For example, its efforts to nurture great purple emperor (Sasakia charonda) butterflies date back to 2007, when staff began to cultivate Chinese hackberry (Celtis sinensis) trees to feed the butterfly’s larvae. In 2011, staff then manufactured a cage to protect the pupae until emergence. Once the butterflies began breeding successfully, the factory started to invite children from neighboring kindergartens to observe them every year. In addition, the factory’s premises have been approved by the local government as a habitat area for Lefua echigonia (Cobitidae family), a class I endangered species of loach fish, for
risk dispersion. Based on this approval, the factory is engaged in the protection and nurturing of this species, employing a biotope developed within its premises.
In autumn, the factory makes its premises open to kindergarteners so that they can enjoy acorn gathering. As such, the factory has also been active in facilitating interaction with fellow community members and promoting environmental education via the use of greenery. These efforts, in turn, helped the Ichijima Factory garner outstanding recognition and be chosen for the above award.
Factory representatives photographed with the Prime Minister
Working in Collaboration with Fellow Community Members through Greening Activities
The Sumitomo Rubber Group
The primary objectives of our forest development efforts include protecting biodiversity and preventing landslides and other disasters, along with curbing global warming through the absorption of CO2. We also prioritize interacting with local communities through satoyama (working forests that are maintained and managed by humans) conservation activities, another important objective.
To align our forestry activities with the circumstances unique to each local community, we promote collaborative activities that bring together employees, ex-employees, families, friends, local residents and regional organizations. In 2023, we provided 4,978 seedlings to citizen organizations pursuing greening activities and other fellow community members.
Receiving a Letter of Gratitude from Neighboring Residents for Our Forestation Track Record
The Sumitomo Rubber Group
Since 2010, the Nagoya Factory has been continuously engaged in forest development, including periodic weeding and tree planting in “GENKI Forest” in Mount Osuhara. In recognition of these activities, the factory was granted a letter of gratitude from residents of Higashi Hagihira-cho, where Mount Osuhara is located, in 2021. The letter was made from wood derived from thinning. The factory takes a locally-rooted approach to pursuing ongoing forest development activities and also engages in frequent collaboration with the Mount Osuhara Preservation Association, a beneficiary of the Sumitomo Rubber Industries CSR Fund.
Tree Planting Activities in Mount Akazura
The Sumitomo Rubber Group
Since 2014, the Shirakawa Factory has been a participant in tree planting activities on Mount Akazura, a former downhill skiing site that has been left desolate after its operator closed its business. Although promoted under the initiative of the Mount Akazura Greening Association, the scale of these activities has since been expanded, with Fukushima Prefecture becoming the sponsor in 2020. Beginning with tree planting undertaken by a small number of staff, the factory stepped up its involvement over time and, in 2019, began planting seeds of Alnus firma and nurturing them for two years. By 2021, the seeds entrusted to the factory had grown into seedlings reaching heights of around 30 centimeters. With the goal of restoring greenery, a total of 130 seedlings were then replanted by factory staff working hand in hand with fellow participants.
Certified as a “Hyogo Biodiversity Conservation Project”
By setting up a biotope on the premises of the Kobe Head Office, we conserve and nurture six types of rare plants, including Tilia kiusiana and Elaeagnus murakamiana, as well as two types of rare aquatic organisms, such as Hemigrammocypris rasborella. In the Uzugamori forest of Mt. Rokko, we have planted nearly 10,000 trees, including acorn and deutzia. We are also working on preserving wild strains of rare species, such as Lilium japonicum and Rhododendron reticulatum.
These activities were certified in the “Hyogo Biodiversity Conservation Project” in 2023, as a model for biodiversity conservation and restoration activities within the prefecture.
Greening Initiatives Overseas
The Sumitomo Rubber Group
In 2023, we planted a total of 7,634 trees and provided 2,390 seedlings. Furthermore, 2,400 trees were planted through the “1 Pair for 1 Love activities,” in which some of the proceeds from the sale of rubber gloves are allocated to the DUNLOP Home Products Forest on the island of Borneo, Malaysia, in order to protect the orangutan, an endangered species.
