Water Resource Conservation
Basic Approach
Zeon Group positions the conservation of water resources as a key issue for business continuity and works to make effective use of water and mitigate water risks through measures such as reducing water consumption through water-saving and wastewater reuse, and properly managing wastewater treatment and effluent quality.
At our production sites, after assessing local water stress conditions, we also take necessary measures to ensure that there are no adverse impacts on ecosystems or people’s livelihoods.
Structure and System
Zeon Group believes that climate change has a serious impact on our business, and in 2020 expressed its support for the recommendations of the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD). Based on the TCFD recommendations, we analyze the risks and opportunities posed by climate change and reflect them in our business strategies to strengthen our business foundation, while also aiming to realize a sustainable society and improve Zeon’s corporate value.
With regard to water risks, we also recognize risks and opportunities such as floods and droughts caused by climate change, and we continue to promote measures from an environmental and safety perspective, such as preventing water pollution and reducing water withdrawal, that we have long been implementing.
Key Initiatives
Regarding flood risk, we have been assessing risk impacts from a BCP perspective and advancing the consideration of necessary countermeasures. For drought countermeasures, we assume options such as receiving water from other worksites and purchasing from external sources, and we establish a system that can respond as needed after conducting simulations that include procedures and costs. For water withdrawal, we manage volumes using flow meters, and we maintain a system to control water quantity and quality through measures such as recycling water within the worksite and discharging wastewater through water purification facilities.
Water management plan
Water risks are incorporated into the Group-wide risk management list, by which they are recognized as materialized risk. Each division also assesses risk impacts and considers appropriate measures. Furthermore, we review risk assessments annually, establishing a system that enables the implementation of necessary measures in response to changing environments.
At our production sites, where large volumes of water are used, we appropriately respond and manage water withdrawal and wastewater discharge to minimize environmental impact as much as possible, taking into account improvements in water-use efficiency and ecosystem conservation.
Initiatives on water resources
In our Group, water is indispensable for our manufacturing activities. If water resources were to become depleted or water quality deteriorated, we understand that it would be a serious risk to both our Group and local communities. It is with this recognition that we have been actively working on water risks since FY2022. Going forward, we will proceed with our initiatives in line with the steps outlined below.
- 1Identification of our risks and opportunities concerning water risk
- 2Establishment of Group-wide policies, targets, and indicators for water risk
- 3Promotion of PDCA for targets and indicators
- 4Disclosure of our initiatives to stakeholders
