Since fiscal 2001, the NGK Group has promoted environmental initiatives based on the formulation of Five-Year Environmental Action Plans.
The First Five-Year Environmental Action Plan (fiscal 2001 to fiscal 2005) saw NGK pursue reductions on a non-consolidated basis in CO2 and the volume of byproducts sent to landfill. All domestic Group companies also obtained third-party certification of their environmental management systems.
Under the Second Five-Year Environmental Action Plan (fiscal 2006 to fiscal 2010), we established and took steps to meet reduction targets for CO2 and byproducts, including among domestic Group companies. We also developed consolidated environmental management that covers overseas Group companies, and obtained ISO 14001 certification for 16 of 17 overseas Group companies.
Under the Third Five-Year Environmental Action Plan, we will seek to reduce the environmental load posed by the NGK Group worldwide.
In a drive to reduce our environmental load on a global scale, we set reduction targets for CO2 and emissions* that also include new production activities enacted by overseas Group companies. Along with adding the emission recycling rate as an environmental management item, we are pushing greater recycling eff orts forward. Another initiative is eff ective use of water resources, where we are establishing standards for gauging eff ective usage. Furthermore, along with making strides in the provision of Eco Products, we are drafting standards for quantifying the environmental contribution of our products. Through these actions, the NGK Group will contribute to the creation of a low-carbon society, a recycling-oriented society, and social harmony with nature.
Key elements of the Third Five-Year Environmental Action Plan are described below.
| Category | Item | Management item | FY2015 target |
|---|---|---|---|
| Global warming prevention | Reduction of CO2 from production activities | Domestic CO2 emissions | 10% reduction from FY1990 |
| Domestic basic unit per net sales | 20% reduction from FY2010 | ||
| Overseas basic unit per net sales | 5% reduction from FY2010 | ||
| Reduction of CO2 from logistics | NGK basic unit per transport volume | 1% reduction each year | |
| Effective use of resources | Emission* reduction | Domestic basic unit per net sales | 10% reduction from FY2010 |
| Overseas basic unit per net sales | 5% reduction from FY2010 | ||
| Promotion of resource recycling | Domestic recycling rate | Recycling rate of over 99% | |
| Overseas recycling rate | Establish and embed management of recycling rates that reflect achievement level in each country | ||
| Effective use of water resources | Progress rate of plan | Use surveys of water resource use to develop standards for more effective usage | |
| Ensuring chemical substances management | Improvement in management level for chemical substances | Progress rate of plan | Upgrade and operate a chemical substance management system |
| Provision of Eco products | Promotion of environmental contribution through products | Progress rate of plan | Formulate standards for quantifying the environmental contribution level of products |
| Promotion of green procurement | Complete green supplier certification | ||
| Promotion of environmental communication | Robust environmental contribution activities | Progress rate of plan | Continue and enhance activities in partnership with local communities |
| Improvement in environmental awareness | Continue and enhance environmental training and information disclosure |
*From fiscal 2011, items previously labeled as by-products will be labeled as emissions.
