Our Environmental Plan represents the commitment of the Mitsubishi Electric Group to society. In order to fulfill this commitment, every group company must share in the goals of the plan and work toward their achievement. Previously, the Mitsubishi Electric Group had environmental management systems (EMS) at each of its sites that were operated independently, but since the start of our 5th Environmental Plan in fiscal 2007, we have worked to create an integrated system for the Group as a whole.
To integrate the systems, we made the environmental management programs at each of our EMS organizations (at manufacturing works and other facilities) consistent with the Environmental Plan, which took place in conjunction with efforts to update systems at our head office and branches for compliance with ISO 14001 (2004).
In fiscal 2008, we developed procedures to guide business groups in checking whether or not the programs of the EMS organizations they are responsible for are consistent with the Environmental Plan. In doing so we took another step in the direction of a fully integrated environmental management system.
We intend to continue efforts to integrate environmental management systems at our head office and branches with systems at manufacturing works and research centers. Furthermore, in recent years, corporate social responsibility has become increasingly associated with the need to take into account the environment in all corporate activities, including the supply chain and customer sales. Mitsubishi Electric plans to meet this challenge by expanding the scope of system integration so that it encompasses environmental management programs at sites not involved in manufacturing.
The number of sites in the Mitsubishi Electric Group that have acquired ISO 14001 certification as of March 31, 2008 is as follows.
Mitsubishi Electric: 26
Domestic Affiliates: 55
Overseas Affiliates: 29
As of the end of fiscal 2008, all Mitsubishi Electric sites (on a non-consolidated basis) have acquired certification. All domestic production affiliates have also been certified, with the exception of two companies with minimal environmental impact. This puts our certification ratio at above 99%.
The Mitsubishi Electric Group has held the Environmental Managers Conference every year since fiscal 1995 for all environmental managers at Mitsubishi Electric and its domestic affiliates. The participants share information on activities and policies related to the Environmental Plan, report on progress made and discuss especially successful initiatives. The fiscal 2008 conferences featured the participation of managers from Europe and China, who discussed trends in local environmental laws and regulations and other related topics. There were many in-depth discussions among representative of both domestic and overseas sites.
Our overseas sites have also held regional environmental conferences every year since fiscal 2005 at four locations around the world. The conferences are intended to strengthen coordination between domestic and overseas sites to ensure strict compliance with overseas laws and regulations and raise the overall level of environmental management at each site. The regional conferences held in fiscal 2008 were highlighted by a presentation on our Environmental Vision 2021, which was formulated in October 2007. All members of the Mitsubishi Electric Group were called upon to work toward achievement of the goals contained in the vision.
Mitsubishi Electric intends to further strengthen coordination with overseas sites by continuing to facilitate communication and discussions at these regional environmental conferences. In addition, we will make progress at the group level by expanding the scope of companies that carry out organized environmental activities based on the Mitsubishi Electric Group's Environmental Plan to include not only manufacturing affiliates, but also affiliates not involved in production activities in Japan and overseas.
Perspective: Americas Environmental Conference Participant
A Perfect Opportunity for Discussion Between the Head Office and American Sites
Mr. Scott Stephenson
Corporate Manager TS/ISO,
MEAA (Mitsubishi Electric Automotive America)
At the Environmental Conferences for the Mitsubishi Electric Americas group companies, a lot of valuable information is exchanged between locations. The conference is an excellent chance to benchmark our environmental concerns such as energy conservation and recycling with other Mitsubishi Electric facilities. At the most recent conference at the Mitsubishi Electric Research Laboratories in Cambridge MA. Information was exchanged about the upcoming carbon and climate legislation and what the American companies need to do to prepare for it. This meeting was also a good chance for the Americas Environmental representatives to exchange opinions with MELCO CES about the significant changes made to the annual environmental report that streamline the processes of submitting essential information to MELCO. This meeting was very beneficial for the Mitsubishi Electric Americas group.
From the Environmental Managers Conference
Environmental Managers Conference (June 8, 2007 & December 4, 2007)
At the June conference, we reviewed activities from the previous fiscal year, confirmed policies for the current fiscal year and introduced trends in overseas environmental regulations. The president was in attendance and gave a talk on strengthening defensive environmental activities and the importance of proactive, product-related environmental activities. In addition, a ceremony was held for the Corporate Environmental Sustainability Awards, a program established in fiscal 2008 to further stimulate environmental management activities. One affiliate and four manufacturing sites were honored for their noteworthy defensive and proactive initiatives. At the December conference, a presentation was given on our Environmental Vision 2021. All employees of the Mitsubishi Electric Group have been called upon to help successfully fulfill this vision. We also introduced the findings of environmental audits conducted in the first half as well as examples of energy conservation and waste reduction initiatives. A presentation was given on nature conservation activities, which have been gaining momentum each year as a way of raising environmental awareness.
Inter-America Environmental Conference (October 3, 2007)
All production sites in North America and Mexico participated this year, as they had last year. Here, information was exchanged on US Environmental regulation movements and there were vigorous discussions concerning Group Environmental Report improvement plans from Headquarters. The conference reaffirmed that environmental management is progressing cooperatively.
China Environmental Conference (October 18, 2007)
Some 40 employees from 14 Chinese affiliates participated in the conference. The head office gave a progress report on the 5th Environmental Plan, focusing particularly on carbon dioxide emissions, and introduced examples of energy conservation initiatives taking place in the country. In addition, four especially progressive Chinese affiliates introduced examples of their energy conservation activities. Their presentation reaffirmed the fact that some sites in China are as advanced as their counterparts in Japan in terms of installing high efficiency devices, improving the power factor of high frequency furnaces, conducting energy efficiency patrols and administering environmental training.
Asia Environmental Conference (November 9, 2007)
This year's conference was attended for the first time by environmental managers from sites in Malaysia, Indonesia and India. A total of 50 people participated. The head office conveyed Mitsubishi Electric Group policies on the environment, including details of our Environmental Vision 2021, while the local sites reported on the highlights of their environmental activities. The conference reaffirmed the fact that each of the sites is working to steadily reduce risk and ramp up energy conservation and recycling initiatives from a cost-cutting perspective.
At the Europe Environmental Conference
Europe Environmental Conference (November 9, 2007)
This year, a joint manufacturing and sales conference was held for the first time, as sales divisions joined manufacturing sites for the conference. Participation by sales divisions allowed both factories and sales companies to learn about one another's efforts to steadily comply with environmental regulations and develop environmental businesses. The conference facilitated truly valuable discussions. We plan to continue this format and continue to promote environmental management for all of Europe from both environmental management and environmental business perspectives.
