Sustainability
Achieving Sustainable Growth with Society
In accordance with the Sumitomo Corporation Group’s
Sustainability Policy, SGL aims to be a global organization that contributes
broadly to society through its sound business activities.
Material
Issues
Six Material Issues to Achieve Sustainable Growth with Society
The basis for the Sumitomo Corporation Group’s operations can be found in Sumitomo’s Business Philosophy, which has formed the foundation for Sumitomo’s sustainable development over the course of 400 years. One of the credos of this philosophy states: “Benefit for self and others, private and public interests are one and the same.” We interpret this credo advocates Sumitomo’s business activities must benefit not only Sumitomo, but also society around us to achieve sustainable growth together.
This credo has been incorporated into Sumitomo Corporation
Group’s Corporate Mission Statement. Guided by our Corporate Mission Statement,
we have continued to conduct our business activities with the aim of being a
global organization that constantly stays a step ahead in dealing with change,
creates new value, and contributes broadly to society
It is important to reconsider how we should address social
issues through our business activities. To achieve sustainable growth together
with society into the future, we have identified material issues that we should
address with priority by leveraging our strengths in line with Sumitomo’s
Business Philosophy and Sumitomo Corporation Group’s Corporate Mission
Statement.
Achieving Harmony with the Global Environment
To realize recycling-oriented society and mitigate climate change, we are working to establish frameworks for the efficient use of resources and stable supply of renewable energy. In doing so, we will achieve growth in harmony with the global environment.
Contributing to the Development of Local Communities and
Industries
We steadily procure and provide goods and services to meet the
needs of people in various countries and regions and contribute to developing
industrial platforms. Through these means, we will create a virtuous cycle in
which we can grow and develop together with local communities.
Establishing a Foundation for Comfortable and Enriching
Lifestyles
We strive to realize more convenient and comfortable lifestyles
by providing goods and services for daily use while also responding to needs
for high-quality lifestyles in order to support the physical and mental health
of people around the world.
Providing Diverse “Accessibility”
We provide diverse accessibility to open up the possibility of
creating new value. To this end, we will improve mobility for safe and
efficient flow of people and goods, and expand the network connecting
information and finance.
As a prerequisite for resolving the issues listed above, we strive to maintain
and enhance our Management Style that places prime importance on integrity and
sound management with utmost respect for the individual and our Corporate
Culture full of vitality and conducive to innovation.
Developing Human Resources and Promoting Diversity
In order to create new value and innovation by allowing our
diverse personnel to fully exercise their abilities in a variety of fields, we
will promote the development and empowerment of human resources, which
represent our most important management resources.
Enhancing Governance
We will enhance our ability to draft and implement strategies
for achieving sustainable growth and to provide appropriate supervision of
these strategies, all while maintaining transparency. In this manner, we will
improve management efficiency and maintain sound management.
CSR Initiatives for Supply Chain Management
The Sumitomo Corporation Group has established the CSR Action
Guidelines for Supply Chain Management. Through the implementation of these
guidelines, we are aiming to realize a sustainable society by working together
with our suppliers and business partners to achieve responsible value chain
management. The Company provides numerous opportunities to promote the
understanding and entrenchment of these guidelines, including training for new
employees and locally hired employees, meetings within business units and
domestic and overseas regional organizations, and pre-departure briefings with
employees being sent on overseas assignments.
In the event that we find violations of these guidelines in our supply chains,
we will urge the suppliers, business partners or contractors, etc. to remedy
and improve the situation, while providing support to them as needed. However,
if there are no improvements to the situation by them, we will consider
carefully whether to continue our business with them or not.
The
Sumitomo Corporation Group CSR Action Guidelines for Supply Chain Management
Established in November 2009
Revised in November 2013
The Sumitomo Corporation Group aims to be a global organization
that, by constantly staying a step ahead in dealing with change, creating new
value, and contributing broadly to society, strives to achieve prosperity and
realize the dreams of all our stakeholders through sound business activities in
strict adherence to our Corporate Mission Statement, and the management style
principle contained therein, wherein prime importance is given to integrity and
sound management with the utmost respect being paid to the individual.
In order to promote sustainability and social wellbeing in accordance with our
mission, the Sumitomo Corporation Group hereby sets down these CSR Action
Guidelines for Supply Chain Management. With a view to further strengthening
the global relations which form one of the foundations of our core competence
of integrated corporate strength, we request our suppliers and business
partners to kindly accept, understand, and practice these guidelines so that
together we can achieve responsible value chain management.
Our suppliers and business partners are expected to:
1. Respect human rights and not to be complicit
in human rights abuses
2. Prevent forced labor, child labor and the payment of
unfairly low wages
3. Not engage in discriminatory employment practices
4. Respect the rights of employees to associate freely in
order to ensure open and fair negotiations between labor and management
5. Provide employees with safe and healthy work environments
6. Protect the global environment and give due consideration
to biodiversity
7. Ensure the quality and safety of products and services
8. Ensure fair business transactions, to abide by all
applicable laws, rules and regulations, and to prevent extortion, bribery and
all other forms of corrupt business practices
9. Ensure appropriate information security
10. Cooperate with members of local host communities and contribute to
sustainable regional development
11. Disclose information regarding the above in a manner both timely
and appropriate.
Respect for Human Rights
Sumitomo Corporation Group’s Human Rights Policy
Established in May 2020
Sumitomo Corporation declares in its management principles that
it aims to be a global organization that contributes broadly to society and
places prime importance on utmost respect for the individual. We will respect
human rights to fulfill our corporate social responsibility, and pursue
sustainable growth with society.
Sumitomo Corporation became a signatory in 2009 to the “Ten Principles of the
United Nations Global Compact”, which advocates for values common to its own
management principles, including those regarding human rights and labor. We
also respect the “International Bill of Human Rights” and the International
Labor Organization’s “Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at
Work”, and we operate in accordance with the “United Nations Guiding Principles
on Business and Human Rights”.
1. Scope
of application
Sumitomo Corporation endeavors to ensure that all executives and employees
within its group fulfill their responsibility to respect human rights. In
addition, we encourage our suppliers and business partners to accept,
understand and practice this policy so that we can work together to fulfill our
social responsibilities, including respect for human rights in the relevant
value chain.
Sumitomo Corporation endeavors to ensure that all executives and employees
within its group fulfill their responsibility to respect human rights. In
addition, we encourage our suppliers and business partners to accept,
understand and practice this policy so that we can work together to fulfill our
social responsibilities, including respect for human rights in the relevant
value chain.
2. Human
rights due diligence
Sumitomo Corporation strives to identify and to prevent or mitigate any adverse
impact on human rights through the application of human rights due diligence
processes. Where we identify that our group’s practices have caused or
contributed to an adverse impact on human rights, we will endeavor to take
appropriate remedial measures.
Sumitomo Corporation strives to identify and to prevent or mitigate any adverse
impact on human rights through the application of human rights due diligence
processes. Where we identify that our group’s practices have caused or
contributed to an adverse impact on human rights, we will endeavor to take
appropriate remedial measures.
3. Compliance
with relevant laws
Sumitomo Corporation will comply with national and regional laws and
regulations applicable to its group operations. When those laws and regulations
are incompatible with internationally recognized human rights, we will seek to
employ measures to respect international human rights norms.
Sumitomo Corporation will comply with national and regional laws and
regulations applicable to its group operations. When those laws and regulations
are incompatible with internationally recognized human rights, we
will seek to employ measures to respect international human rights norms.
4. Stakeholder
engagement
Sumitomo Corporation will seek to improve and progress human rights measures
through engagement and dialogue with relevant stakeholders.
Sumitomo Corporation will seek to improve and progress human rights measures
through engagement and dialogue with relevant stakeholders.
5. Education
Sumitomo Corporation will appropriately educate its executives and employees
within its group in order to ensure that this human rights policy is understood
and implemented effectively.
Sumitomo Corporation will appropriately educate its executives and employees
within its group in order to ensure that this human rights policy is understood
and implemented effectively.
6. Reporting
Sumitomo Corporation will disclose appropriate information regarding its
efforts to respect human rights.
See: Efforts to Address the UN Global Compact
Sumitomo Corporation Group Statement for UK Modern Slavery Act
2015
Sumitomo Corporation Group has set out the steps to help ensure
that modern slavery and human trafficking are not taking place in its business
or supply chains.
As a company of Sumitomo Corporation Group, the board of directors
of Sumisho Global Logistics Co., Ltd. has approved the
Sumitomo Corporation Group’s slavery and human trafficking statement published
on September 27, 2021.
Efforts to Address the UN Global Compact
In March 2009, the Sumitomo Corporation Group signed the UN
Global Compact and declared its support for the 10 principles, as this
international CSR-related initiative shares the same values as our Corporate
Mission Statement. We are raising the awareness of our officers and employees
around the world regarding their purpose and making efforts to further
increasing our corporate value by constantly seeking out areas of our business
activities that can be improved in light of the values advocated by the 10
principles.
We are also actively participating in the activities of Japan’s local network,
Global Compact Network Japan, as one of the board member companies. In fiscal
2017, we took part in working groups on: environmental management related to
climate change, biodiversity and other environmental issues; reporting; human
rights due diligence; SDGs; and SRI/ESG. Through this involvement, we acquire
information on recent global trends in these areas, learn of examples of
superior initiatives, and are provided insight from specialists. This knowledge
is utilized to help the Company promote CSR.
What is the Global Compact?
The Global Compact (GC) was proposed by the former UN Secretary
General Kofi Annan at the World Economic Forum (in Davos) in 1999 and
officially launched in 2000 at the UN Headquarters in New York. The GC is an
initiative aimed at realizing the sustainable growth of the global economy
through the voluntary participation of businesses in a worldwide network. The
UN invites companies and organizations from around the world to join in the GC
and currently has over 13,000 companies and organizations from approximately
160 countries participating. The GC has compiled 10 universal principles
recognized by the international community based on international agreements in
the areas of human rights, labour standards, environment and anti-corruption.
Participating companies adopt the 10 principles into their business operations
and strategies and are expected to assume responsible and creative leadership
as a good corporate citizen for the purpose of achieving sustainable growth.
The Global Compact's 10 Principles
Human Rights
1. Businesses
should support and respect the protection of internationally proclaimed human
rights; and
2. make
sure that they are not complicit in human rights abuses.
Labour Standards
3. Businesses
should uphold the freedom of association and the effective recognition of the right
to collective bargaining;
4. the
elimination of all forms of forced and compulsory labour;
5. the
effective abolition of child labour; and
6. the
elimination of discrimination in respect of employment and occupation.
Environment
7. Businesses
should support a precautionary approach to environmental challenges;
8. undertake
initiatives to promote greater environmental responsibility; and
9. encourage
the development and diffusion of environmentally friendly technologies.
Anti-Corruption
10. Businesses
should work against corruption in all its forms, including extortion and
bribery.
＊We also
support the Universal Declaraion of Human Rights, which the 10 principles of
the UN Global Compact are derived from.
Social and Environmental Activities
"SGLT has implement the environmental control
rules for control subcontractors , supplier ,vender as an "Environment
Regulation" , in order to prevent from any kind of doing that may impact to environment. Moreover SGLT has doing environment
inspection by the professional inspector who has got license to do
inspect work environments; heat, illumination, noise and dust in work
place subject to laws. "
Sumitomo Corporation Group Environmental Policy
Basic Policy
The Sumitomo Corporation Group recognizes that environmental issues are global in scale and that they are long-range concerns affecting future generations. As a global organization, the Sumitomo Corporation Group, through sound business activities, will strive to achieve sustainable development aimed at both social and economic progress and environmental preservation.
Basic Guidelines
In pursuing its diversified business activities both within
Japan and overseas, the Sumitomo Corporation Group shall comply with the
following guidelines, and, through cooperation between its Group companies,
work to achieve the aims of its environmental Basic Policy.
1. Basic
stance with regard to the environment:
To place great importance on protecting the global environment as a good
corporate citizen in accordance with the Sumitomo Corporation's Activity Guidelines.
2. Compliance
with environmental legislation:
To strictly observe legislation related to environmental matters not only in
Japan but also overseas, and to abide by any agreements made.
3. Caring
for the natural environment:
To place great importance on preserving the environment, including the natural
ecosystem and biodiversity.
4. Response
to climate change:
To place great importance on mitigating climate change and adapting to its
impact.
5. Efficient
use of resources and energy:
To be mindful of the finite availability of resources and energy and strive to
use them both efficiently and effectively.
6. Contributing
to the building of a recycling-oriented society:
To endeavor to help build a recycling-oriented society by reducing waste and reusing
and recycling resources.
7. Promotion
of businesses that contribute to environmental preservation:
To utilize our integrated corporate strength to promote businesses and
projects, which contribute to environmental preservation and reduction of the
impact of society on the natural environment.
8. Disclosure
of the Environmental Policy:
To communicate this Environmental Policy to all people who are
working for or on behalf of the Sumitomo Corporation Group, as
well as disclosing it externally.
