I would like to share my thoughts concerning this year’s Environment Month.
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) reported that greenhouse gas
emissions caused by human activities, which lead to economic and population growth,
have reached a record high. IPCC warned that if this situation does not change, human
society and the ecosystem would have a greater chance of suffering irreparable damages.
We at the Kubota Group seek positive solutions to food, water, and environmental
issues as our mission, setting forth the brand statement, “For Earth, For Life.” To this end,
the Group must fulfill its responsibility to make a solid contribution to mitigating climate
change, which has major impacts on food and water supply.
As a member of the Kubota Group and the global community, I would like you to take
this opportunity to ensure that you pay close attention to the global environment in your
daily work and personal life.
[To achieve both environmental conservation and corporate value improvement]
Kubota Corporation placed 31st, significantly better than the previous year’s 71st place,
in the overall manufacturing sector under the Environmental Management Ranking
conducted by Nikkei Inc. in 2014.
Last year, we established the Environmental Management Strategy Committee to
further strengthen the management-led promotional structure on a global basis. I believe
that this enabled Kubota to dramatically improve its ranking. Thus, I am grateful for all
your commitment.
Kubota has, however, set an immediate goal of placing in the top 20, which has not
been achieved yet. I urge you, as instructed in the management policies for the 126th
business term, to set clear objectives in the Environmental Management Strategy
Committee and further enhance resource circulation, environmental measures for products,
actions against global warming, and other environmental approaches. By doing so, let us
win a higher place in the Nikkei ranking. The Kubota Group continues to promote sustainable environmental management to
ensure both environmental conservation and corporate value improvement. To this end, we
have to be engaged in a wide range of corporate activities in every aspect on a continual
basis. Environment Month is one of the most important projects among such activities.
Therefore, I request you to work as a team.
[Promotion of the Environment Month activities]
June 5 is World Environment Day, as designated by the United Nations to stimulate
global awareness on the importance of environmental
conservation. On that day, many events are held and
actions are taken around the world to encourage the
initiation of further environmental approaches. The Kubota
Group also promotes environmental activities, designating
every June as Environment Month.
In December 2015, the 21st session of the Conference of
Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on
Climate Change (COP21) will be held in Paris. This has
been drawing world-wide attention, since the participating
nations will be expected to agree on a new framework for
action to mitigate global warming beyond 2020.
In response, we will promote this year’s Environment Month activities under the slogan,
“Eliminate Energy Waste to STOP Climate Change!” focusing on mitigation of global
warming. Please take this opportunity to make a thorough check to see if any of our
facilities or business activities waste energy, and if so, take necessary measures for
improvement.
Through a variety of environmental awareness actions and improvement measures, I
would like all the Kubota Group members to pay closer attention to the environment. At
the same time, I strongly hope that Environment Month makes a major contribution to
fostering a corporate culture that is better suited to our brand statement, “For Earth, For
Life.”