The Nitto Group has set “responding to climate change,” “realizing a circular society,” and “conserving biodiversity” as its material issues for sustainability and promotes initiatives to address environmental challenges, including those related to nature.

The Group is formulating and promoting short- to medium-term and long-term strategies including environment for each issue by establishing a sustainability governance system, where the Corporate Strategy Meeting body (the President and COO serves as the chair of the Corporate Strategy Meeting) plays the central role under the direction and supervision of the Board of Directors (the Chairman of the Board and CEO serves as the chair of the Board of Directors). In addition, in order to increase the effectiveness of environmental initiatives including those related to nature, a Vice President has been appointed as the responsible officer. The Nitto Group’s governance structure is as follows:

The Group places ESG (Environment, Society and Governance) at the core of its management. As such, rather than establishing a general sustainability committee or ESG committee, we use the Corporate Strategy Meeting, chaired by the　President & COO and comprising of all Vice Presidents, as a platform to discuss the promotion of ESG management. This enables us to incorporate ESG into management in a swift and appropriate manner, and to achieve governance that ensures higher feasibility by integrating the company’s sustainability and growth strategy.

Role of the Board of Directors

The Board of Directors makes decisions on important matters, for instance, management policies, management indicators and targets related to the environment including nature　(future-financial indicators), such as the Mid-term Management Plan and support for external initiatives. Each quarter, it provides periodic directions and conducts supervision concerning targets related to environment (future-financial indicators) in the Mid-term Management Plan as well as the status of progress toward target achievement, and, as necessary, adds new items to the agenda if a material matter arises.

The Board of Directors is comprised of Directors who possess qualifications, knowledge, and experience related to sustainability including nature, and who thus impart it with a sustainable and greater supervisory function. Please refer to the following for information on the skills of directors.

Role of the Corporate Strategy Meeting

The Corporate Strategy Meeting, is responsible for deliberation and decision-making regarding specific policies and measures for action based on management policies and management indicators regarding the environment including nature. It also manages risks and opportunities across the value chain arising from dependencies and impacts and monitors progress towards achieving targets on a monthly basis. It provides periodic reports on a quarterly basis to the Board of Directors on its deliberations and decisions and the progress of initiatives, and, as necessary, provides additional reports if a material matter arises. Additionally, to ensure that the matters deliberated and decided are promptly disseminated throughout the company, the Corporate Strategy Meeting comprises all Vice Presidents who are in charge of business execution departments, special function departments, and regional management.

Role of the Vice President and Department in Charge

We have appointed a Vice President in charge of promoting environmental initiatives including nature, and also have a special function department responsible for implementing those initiatives that serves as the department in charge of the environment. The department regularly assesses dependencies and impacts as well as risks and opportunities on nature, considers strategies, and executes and promotes measures to tackle nature-related issues. The Vice President manages the results of these assessments, the details of their consideration, and their implementation and promotion. In addition, the progress of these initiatives is periodically reported to the Corporate Strategy Meeting primarily by the department in charge of the environment.

The Group identifies the dependencies and impacts on nature, and appropriately manages nature-related key risks and opportunities that management recognizes may significantly impact its business activities. Additonally, we implement comprehensive management across the Group by combining them with other key risks that also significantly impact our business activities.

Assessment/Identification process of dependencies/impacts and risks/opportunities

We assess and identify the importance of business dependencies and impacts on nature, as well as related risks and opportunities in our business activities, and determine priorities. The LEAP approach is used for assessment and identification. Details on the process is as follows: Also, the current assessment scope is limited to the Nitto Group’s manufacturing sites and the upstream portion of the value chain for certain products that are considered to have relatively high dependence or impact on nature.

＜ Assessment and Identification of Nitto Group Manufacturing Sites ＞

1. Identification of priority locations (Locate)
Regarding manufacturing sites, we identified sensitive locations from the perspectives of “Biodiversity importance,” “Ecosystems integrity,” “Importance of ecosystem service,” as well as “Water stress and drought risk” and “Impact on indigenous peoples.” We designated sites strongly connected to nature or local communities as material locations. Areas where sensitive locations and material locations overlap are particularly identified as key priority locations (described later as priority locations). (Tools used: Aqueduct, iBAT, and Global Forest Watch)

2. Evaluation and identification of dependencies and impacts (Evaluate)
We investigated the activities of our manufacturing sites located in priority locations, assessed our dependencies and impact on nature using actual environmental performance data, and conducted a relative evaluation based on the “extent” of these dependencies and impacts as well as their “ likelihood of occurrence” in priority locations to identify the dependencies and impacts relevant to our company.

3. Assessment and identification of risks and opportunities (Assess)
Regarding the risks and opportunities assumed to arise from the identified dependencies and impacts, we assess and identify their relative importance by understanding how changes in the internal and external environment will affect our company, assessing the “degree of impact” on business if such events occur, and the “likelihood of occurrence,” while also determining the priority of these risks and opportunities. Additionally, when identifying risks and opportunities, we utilize scenario analysis to understand those related to the environment, including nature, and assess their potential financial impacts.

＜ Evaluation and Identification of Upstream Value Chain for Certain Products ＞

We evaluated (using LIME3 calculated from the LIME3 Integration Factor in IDEA v3.3) and selected raw materials assumed to have a significant impact on nature for certain products. We identified sensitive locations for major suppliers’ manufacturing sites of the selected raw materials from the perspectives of the “Biodiversity importance,” “Ecosystems integrity,” “ Importance of ecosystem service,” as well as “Water stress and drought risk.”
(Tools used: Aqueduct, iBAT, and Global Forest Watch)

We understand the impact on our company regarding the dependencies on and impacts over nature, as well as related general risks and opportunities, at the manufacturing sites of suppliers located in sensitive locations. We will have our initiatives on engaging with our suppliers on nature-related issues, working to identify material locations, assess and identify supplier-specific dependencies on and impacts on nature, and strive to understand, evaluate, and identify the associated risks and opportunities for our company. In addition, the main risks and opportunities identified in addressing climate change issues (TCFD) are also managed as environment-related risks and opportunities, including those related to nature.

Management process of risks and opportunities

The Nitto Group appropriately manages the key risks and opportunities related to the environment, including selected aspects of nature, within the following risk management promotion framework.

Risks and opportunities related to the environment, including nature, are monitored through collaboration between Business execution departments and Regional management, with the department in charge of the environment bearing overall management responsibility. Information regarding monitored risks is reported and discussed every month at the Corporate Strategy Meeting, which consists of directors and executive officers, together with other information managed by specialized departments. The results of the deliberation will be instantly instructed to each responsible department and countermeasures will be promptly taken to strengthen controls. The progress of the implementation and improvement will be again reported to the Corporate Strategy Meeting to increase the effectiveness of the Group management.

In addition, major environmental risks, including those related to nature, that have been reported to or discussed in the Corporate Strategy Meeting are self-assessed by the environmental department responsible for management, based on evaluation criteria such as the establishment of an implementation system, execution of controls and countermeasures, and the occurrences of and response to incidents at the end of the fiscal year. The risk management department and the Vice President in charge of risk management independently conduct evaluations based on established criteria and report the results to the Corporate Strategy Meeting and the Board of Directors.

Integration into Company-wide Risks

Risks and opportunities related to the environment, including nature, are managed comprehensively across the group by integrating them with other key risks that have a significant impact on business activities. We conduct a two-axis analysis with the “degree of impact” on the business if a risk actually occurs or becomes apparent on the vertical axis, and the likelihood of occurrence” on the horizontal axis, thereby evaluating each risk in relative terms and recognizing the importance of nature-related risks among company-wide risks. In addition, these company-wide risks are broadly classified into “business risks” related to business operations and “operational risks” that impact the entire group, and appropriate risk management is conducted for the entire group. The main risks for the entire group in fiscal year 2024 are as follows. For more details, please refer to the link below.

The Nitto Group aims to achieve nature positivity by not only understanding the impacts on its business from major environmental risks and opportunities, including those related to nature, but also by identifying and taking measures to address its own dependencies and impacts on nature through its business activities. In addition, we recognize “responding to climate change,” “realizing a circular society,” and “conserving biodiversity” as key management issues and are strategically incorporating them into our management practices.

Definition of scenarios

We are developing scenarios that envision the potential states of the world related to “ecosystem services,” which are closely linked to physical risks affecting business activities, and “policies, legal regulations, or industry and market needs,” which are closely associated with transition risks.

Looking ahead to 2050, we are considering the situations shown in the diagram below: one where there is a high priority on nature (with growing trends in policies, regulations, or industry and market needs) and where the degradation of ecosystem services is minimized, and another where there is a low priority on nature (with little to no change, or even a decline, in such trends) and where the degradation of ecosystem services is significant.

Furthermore, we believe that a situation where the degradation of ecosystem services is minimized closely resembles the 1.5°C scenario for climate change, as this situation stems from significantly reduced greenhouse gas emissions, leading to a slower progression of climate change and reduced impact on nature. On the other hand, when there is significant degradation of ecosystem services, we consider it to closely resemble the 4°C climate change scenario, as this situation both results from a lack of reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and the intensification of abnormal weather and natural disasters, thus leading to more serious impacts on nature.

Dependencies/Impacts on nature in business activities

We have identified potential dependencies and impacts on nature at Nitto Group’s manufacturing sites in priority locations.

The degree of dependence and impact of each item is relatively compared as very high, high, medium, low, very low.

In business activities, potential dependencies and impacts related to water resource utilization, GHG emissions, air pollution, water pollution, soil pollution, noise and light pollution, and waste emissions (landfill/incineration) have been identified. Among these, it was suggested that there is a certain degree of dependence and impact on factors such as “ecosystem degradation” and “decline in water purification functions” due to water resource utilization, “occurrence and intensification of natural disasters” due to GHG emissions, and “changes in the living environment of local residents” due to waste discharge (landfill/incineration).

Business impact (Financial impact)

We identify the dependencies and impacts on nature, as well as the risks and opportunities in the short-term (less than 3 years), medium-term (3 to less than 5 years), and long-term (5 years or more) for business environments assumed under each scenario. Risks and opportunities in the short- and medium-term are reflected in the medium-term business plan, while those in the long-term are qualitatively assessed to understand the potential (financial) impact on the business if each scenario were to materialize. The impact on business in the medium and long terms are as follows.

Describes the “degree of impact” on the business if an event occurs multiplied by the “likelihood of occurrence,” using high, medium, or low. The mark (-) assumes that the financial impact is extremely small.

When priority is given to nature and the negative impact is minimized, the following become the main causes of financial impact.

When the priority on nature is low and the negative effects have become more severe, the following factors are the main drivers of financial impact.

For other risks and opportunities anticipated from GHG emissions and corresponding responses, please refer to the Nitto Group’s response to climate change issues (Disclosure Based on TCFD Recommendations).

Response to risks and opportunities

We examined measures to address risks and opportunities in each scenario.

Measures to address risks (minimization of risks)

In a state where nature is given high priority and negative impacts are minimized,

We believe that these efforts can help control the increase in operating costs due to key site, Increase in tax (operational) costs due to stricter regulations on the emission of air pollutants, and the increase in waste disposal costs due to stricter waste disposal regulations and standards

In situations where the priority for nature is low and negative impacts are becoming serious,

Through these initiatives, we believe it is possible to mitigate the increased procurement costs of petroleum-derived raw materials due to soaring fossil fuel prices, as well as decrease in production capacity due to water resource reduction (difficulty in ensuring supply).

*Key sites: Manufacturing sites identified as critical, located in sensitive locations or material locations respect to water utilization and VOC emissions.

Measures for maximizing opportunities (opportunity maximization)

In a state where the priority given to nature is high and negative impacts are minimized, we are working to expand products that contribute to the environment (PlanetFlags certified products) in order to maximize opportunities, and we expect increased sales of products such as membrane products, low-VOC products, and recycled products.
In a situation where the priority given to nature is low and negative impacts are worsening, we are working to expand products that contribute to humanity (HumanFlags certified products), and we expect an increase in sales of medical-related products due to the rise in health issues associated with air and water pollution.
We believe that by continuously creating PlanetFlags and HumanFlags, we can ensure a certain level of profit.
For more details about PlanetFlags and HumanFlags, please refer here.

The Nitto Group has identified “responding to climate change,” “realizing circular society,” and “conservation of biodiversity” as important sustainability issues (materiality), and is promoting initiatives to address natural-related issues.

In addition, the Group ensures that the countermeasures are implemented to minimize risks and maximize opportunities and has established 2030 management indicators and targets to regularly monitor and manage the progress of those countermeasures. In order to achieve our ideal state through the resolution of Material Issues for Sustainability, the Nitto Group as a whole has established “Resource utilization ratio,” “Water recycling volume at a priority site,” “Recycled water utilization ratio in the manufacturing processes at a priority site,” “VOC emissions at a priority site,” “Sustainable materials procurement ratio,” and “Flags revenue ratio” as materiality KPIs.

Although we have previously focused on improving our waste plastics recycling ratio, given that plastics account for roughly half of our total waste, we newly introduced the “Resource utilization ratio,” in the fiscal 2025, to promote the active circular use of a broader range of resources beyond plastics.

Furthermore, from the perspectives of water stress and drought risk, we identified priority sites that should preferentially work on reducing water withdrawals and promoting water recycling, and set targets —at least 420 thousand tons/year for “Water recycling volume at a priority site (Kameyama, Japan),” and 100% target for “Recycled water utilization ratio in the manufacturing processes at a priority site (Shiga, Japan).” Moreover, based on actual VOC emissions, we identified priority sites that should work on VOC reduction and set a target of at least 70% reduction (compared with FY2018) target in “VOC emissions at a priority site (Nitto Bento, Turkey).”

Management of Indicators and Targets

Indicators and targets related to each dependency, impact, risk, and opportunity are managed not only at the group level, but also by allocating the group’s targets to business execution departments and setting individual targets for each business execution department. In addition to group-wide measures, we also consider measures according to the business activities, thereby improving effectiveness. The progress of key targets, including future-financial targets, is monitored monthly by each business execution department, managed by the environmental department for the entire group, and reported to the management strategy meeting. In addition, indicators and targets are reviewed once a year, with additional revisions made as necessary based on the progress or changes in the external environment. Furthermore, future-financial indicators and targets are determined by the Board of Directors through deliberation at the time of formulating the three-year mid-term management plan.

Performance Against Targets

For initiatives and achievements related to the resource utilization ratio, Sustainable materials procurement ratio, and the Flags revenue ratio, please refer to the Nitto Group’s Response to Climate Change Challenges.

■Efforts and progress regarding recycled water utilization ratio in the manufacturing processes at a priority site

By utilizing water treatment technology that uses the Nitto Group’s reverse osmosis (RO) membranes, which do not allow impurities other than water to pass through, we are promoting the reuse of wastewater and waste liquids generated at our business sites.

Going forward, by further promoting water reuse in manufacturing processes, we will strengthen our response to water-related risks while achieving both reduced dependence on water intake (reduced water withdrawal) and stable operations, and work to enhance business resilience under abnormal weather conditions.

■Efforts and progress regarding VOC emissions at a priority site

In fiscal 2025, we continued to promote solvent-free initiatives through the use of solvent-free UV-curable adhesives and water-based adhesives.

Going forward, by promoting the reduction of hazardous substance use based on voluntary management standards, we will further reduce VOC emissions and strive to minimize impacts on the environment surrounding our business sites and on employees’ health.

Aiming to achieve nature positivity, we will identify our dependence and impact on nature in business activities, prioritize risks and opportunities, and implement actions toward achieving our targets. Furthermore, regardless of the degree of dependence and impact on, or the scale of risks and opportunities related to nature, we consider it the responsibility of a company to minimize negative impacts on nature, and we are studying countermeasures accordingly.

In the upstream in the value chain, we do our efforts to engage with suppliers on nature-related issues and strive to understand the impacts that suppliers’ unique dependence on and impact over nature have on our company and to assess and identify the importance of those matters. In addition, we plan to expand the range of target products and move forward with identifying raw materials that are expected to have a large dependence and impact on nature. In the downstream of the value chain, we recognize the “increase in operating costs due to the reinforcement of producer responsibility regulations” as a risk that is expected to affect business activities. Currently, we believe that the impact on business activities is extremely small, but we will continue to closely monitor the influence of external environmental changes on our business operations.