Toshiba Group promotes participation and collaboration with industry associations, government bodies, international organizations, NGOs/NPOs and other external sustainability organizations and initiatives.
Toshiba Group is a member/supporter of the following sustainability organizations and initiatives
- Participation in External Sustainability Initiatives Organizations
Participation in UN Global Compact
In January 2004 Toshiba joined the United Nations Global Compact, pledging to adhere to universal principles covering human rights, labor and the environment. The Global Compact is a voluntary corporate citizenship initiative proposed by then UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan in 1999 at the World Economic Forum (annual meeting in Davos). The Global Compact envisages that in the course of business, companies’ fulfillment of their corporate social responsibilities through compliance with internationally recognized principles concerning human rights, labor, the environment and anti-corruption will lead to the world’s sustainable development.
As a signatory of the United Nations Global Compact, in 2007, Toshiba participated as an advisory in the project utilizing GRI guidelines for “Communication on Progress (COP),” a report of the progress on the implementation of Global Compact principles.
Toshiba declares its compliance with such citizenship initiative in the President’s message sent outside the company and also clarifies the implementation progress of the ten principles of the UN Global Compact by submitting a COP advanced level report once per year.
Then President Tadashi Okamura signed the Global Compact in January 2004.
Certificate
10 Principles of the UN Global Compact
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.
Labor 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 labor;
5. the effective abolition of child labor; 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 all forms of corruption, including extortion and bribery.
Participation in BSR
Business for Social Responsibility (BSR) is a global nonprofit organization for promoting activities of sustainability which was established in the U.S. in 1992. BSR has over 250 members comprising global organizations and companies, and Toshiba joined in 2003. Since joining, we have participated in human rights working groups and seminars held by BSR to deepen our understanding of human rights, which we then apply to Toshiba Group initiatives.
Participation in RBA Membership
Founded in 2004 as the Electronic Industry Citizenship Coalition (EICC), the Responsible Business Alliance (RBA) is the world’s largest industry coalition promoting responsible business conduct in global supply chains. It has 225 member companies (as of December 2022) from the electronics, retail, automotive, toy, and other industries. Toshiba, which joined the RBA in June 2011, is actively promoting initiatives that align with global standards within the Group and its supply chain.
Participation in JP-MIRAI
The Japan Platform for Migrant Workers towards Responsible and Inclusive Society (JP-MIRAI) is an organization aiming to achieve inclusive economic growth and a sustainable society by responsibly welcoming foreign workers and improving their working and living conditions while protecting their rights in Japan. Since joining in 2023, Toshiba has used the platform to understand issues related to foreign workers and to promote initiatives to respect workers’ human rights.
Membership in the Japan Center for Engagement and Remedy on Business and Human Rights (JaCER)
The Japan Center for Engagement and Remedy on Business and Human Rights (JaCER) is an organization that provides a “dialogue and remedy platform” in accordance with the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, and aims to support and promote reporting on member companies as well as member companies’ handling of complaints from a professional perspective. The Center endeavors to promote dialogue and remedies by ensuring the legitimacy of the complaints handling mechanism and improving the effectiveness and efficiency thereof. Toshiba Group became a full member of JaCER in October 2022, and uses this platform to respond appropriately to human rights-related reports and consultations.
Participation in CBCC
Council for Better Corporate Citizenship (CBCC) is an association, established in 1989 by Keidanren (Federation of Economic Organizations), which facilitates the acceptance of Japanese companies by regional communities overseas as good corporate citizens, and more recently, promotes CSR activities and assists companies in their practice. Toshiba joined CBCC from its establishment, and currently takes part in activities as a member of the planning committee.
Participation in the STS Forum
The Science and Technology in Society (STS) Forum is a platform which aims to ensure appropriate development of science and technology, gathering scientists, policymakers, business leaders, journalists, and others in one place to discuss and exchange opinions about issues related to science and technology as well as society from the perspective that these are issues shared by humanity. Toshiba has participated in the STS Forum since 2004 as a board member and council member and actively involved in setting directions of the forum's activities. In addition to attending annual general conferences, we also participate in science and technology dialogues held in countries around the world. At the annual general conference held in October 2023 (the 20th STS Forum), an executive officer of the Company participated as a speaker at a session with the theme of “Science and Technology for Business” and introduced Toshiba Group’s initiatives for achieving carbon neutrality and a circular economy. During the session, the executive officer emphasized the importance of promoting cross-sector dialogue with society and customers at the stage of social implementation of new technologies, and discussed the role of science and technology, citing examples such as superconducting motors and Q-STAR.
Acquisition of Science Based Targets (SBT) "Net-Zero Target" Certification
ToshibaGroup’s “net zero targets” have been certified*1 by the Science Based Targets (SBT) initiative in March 2024. This certification indicates Toshiba Group's targets and initiatives for achieving carbon neutrality throughout its value chain, as set forth in Toshiba Group’s Environmental Future Vision 2050, are recognized as SBT in line with the goals of the Paris Agreement*2.Also, the targets for reduction by FY2030, interim milestones toward achieving net zero, has been raised to meet the new "1.5°C pathways," up from the "well-below 2°C pathways" of the SBTi Certification that Toshiba Group obtained in FY2020.
- The SBT initiative certifies medium- to long-term greenhouse gas reduction targets set by companies as science-based targets to help achieve the goal of limiting global warming to 1.5°C by keeping the increase in global average temperatures to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels.
- An international framework for reducing greenhouse gas emissions adopted at the Conference of the Parties (COP21) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.
Endorsing the Recommendations of The Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD)
TCFD is a private-sector task force established in 2015 by the Financial Stability Board in order to enhance climate-related information disclosure of companies.
Toshiba Group endorsed its support for the TCFD recommendations released in 2017, and is working to disclose information on our climate change initiatives.
Toshiba Group also participates in the TCFD Consortium, which aims to encourage endorsing institutions in Japan to work together to enhance ESG information disclosure.
Participation in CDP
CDP is an international non-profit organization that calls on businesses and regional governments to promote environmental initiatives. Toshiba Group received an “A-” rating for both climate change response and water security in surveys conducted by CDP in FY2023. In addition, in the Supplier Engagement Rating, which is an assessment of engagement with suppliers on climate change, Toshiba Group was recognized as a “Supplier Engagement Leader,” the highest acclaim, for the second consecutive year.
Participation in GX League
GX* League was established as a framework for business groups with ambitious targets towards carbon reduction to voluntarily trade emissions to achieve their goals while investing in emissions reduction. The league has been in full-scale operation since FY2023 (secretariat: Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, among others).Through this framework, we aim to create an environment in which Japanese companies that take on the challenge of becoming carbon neutral can lead the transformation of the entire economic and social system and the creation of new markets, and demonstrate their competitiveness in international business. Toshiba Group will participate in demonstrations and discussions of the League’s collaborative efforts by industry, government, and academia, and contribute to the achievement of carbon neutrality by 2050 and the realization of a sustainable, growth-oriented society.
- Abbreviation of green transformation
Participation in the Carbon Offset City Gas Buyers Alliance
The Carbon Offset City Gas Buyers Alliance was established with the aim of achieving the widespread use and increased value of carbon offset city gas, with Tokyo Gas Co., Ltd. procuring and supplying carbon offset city gas and the companies purchasing it working together. Toshiba has been participating in this alliance since its establishment in March 2021.
The companies participating in this alliance are working to raise awareness of carbon offset city gas, improve its reputation among investment institutions, and establish its position in various domestic systems, with the aim of contributing to the realization of a carbon neutral society by 2050.
Participation in Japan Climate Initiative (JCI)
In July 2018, Japanese companies, local governments, and NGOs which are actively implementing climate actions established Japan Climate Initiative (JCI). It is a network committed to strengthening communication and exchange of opinions among all actors. More than 810 organizations, as of July 2024 in Japan became the members of JCI today. Toshiba Group became a member of JCI in FY2020, supporting the network’s declaration of “Joining the front line of the global push for decarbonization from Japan.”
Participation in the 30by30 Alliance for Biodiversity
This alliance is a coalition of front-runners and supporters in Japan (secretariat: Ministry of the Environment) established to promote various measures to achieve the 30by30 target of protecting over 30% of the land and sea areas by 2030, which is one of the goals of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. As a member of the 30by30 Alliance for Biodiversity, Toshiba Group is contributing to the expansion of the OECM* promoted by the Ministry of the Environment through biodiversity conservation activities in green space in domestic sites and areas surrounding those sites.
- Other Effective Area-based Conservation Measures:
Areas mainly outside the protected areas that contribute to biodiversity conservation. They are areas conserved by initiatives of the private sector and other areas whose management with a primary purpose other than conservation eventually contributes to protecting the natural environment. In Japan, a program to certify such areas as Japan`s OECM has been started since FY2023.
Keidanren Initiative for Biodiversity Conservation
This initiative is participated in by 333 companies and organizations (as of March 2024) who are committed to activities stipulated in the “Keidanren Declaration for Biodiversity and Guideline” (revised version) or who support its overall purpose. It is intended to disseminate the diverse activities of the Japanese business community worldwide and further deepen and expand those activities. As a member company, Toshiba Corporation will continue to contribute to achieving the goal of the initiative.
Participation in Circular Partners
Circular Partners is a partnership established to promote collaboration among industry, government, and academia to achieve the circular economy based on the Strategy for a Growth-Oriented, Resource-Autonomous Circular Economy formulated by the Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry in March 2023. As a member company, Toshiba participates in discussions on topics such as the vision and roadmap for the circular economy, information distribution platforms, and regional circulation models.
Participation in the Japan Partnership for Circular Economy
The Japan Partnership for Circular Economy (J4CE) is a partnership established by the Ministry of Environment; the Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry; and Keidanren to promote understanding and action on the circular economy. As the trend toward the circular economy accelerates worldwide, we are working to deepen the understandings of a wide range of stakeholders, including domestic companies, and to strengthen public-private partnerships.
Toshiba is participating in these activities.
