Addressing Climate Change
Adapting to Climate Change
Adapting to Climate Change
When combating climate change, the most important and necessary actions are mitigation measures to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions that are causing the crisis. However, it takes a long time for the effects of mitigation to appear. Due to the accumulation of past greenhouse gas emissions in the atmosphere, climate change risks such as abnormal weather, heatwaves, heavy rainfall, and sea-level rise are becoming apparent.
To minimize these impacts, Konica Minolta is implementing adaptation measures essential for realizing a sustainable society by reducing the vulnerability of society, the economy, and natural ecosystems, and through disaster preparedness, infrastructure development, and agricultural reforms.
Upstream (Suppliers)
Diversification of Procurement Sources
To ensure uninterrupted product supply to customers in the event of supply chain disruptions caused by large-scale natural disasters, Konica Minolta traces and identifies supply routes back to raw materials for critical, irreplaceable parts and raw materials. The Company takes proactive steps to mitigate such risks by securing multiple procurement sources and considering alternative materials.
Operations (Production / R&D)
Water Risk Assessment and Measures
Konica Minolta pays attention to water resource availability as a chronic physical risk posed by climate change. The Company has introduced Aqueduct, a comprehensive risk assessment method, at its group sites and major supplier sites worldwide to evaluate and identify locations with high water risk, and implement the necessary measures.
Business Continuity Management
The Konica Minolta Group has established a business continuity plan (BCP) that covers the entire Group and its global supply chain, serving as a concrete emergency action plan. The aim is to ensure that even if a site is damaged by a large-scale natural disaster, important operations will continue without interruption; if disrupted, they can be resumed in the shortest possible time. We have also created an initial response system to collect information on the situation immediately after a disaster. This covers our mainstay digital workplace business, as well as our healthcare business, which makes equipment that will be in high demand in the event of a disaster. The initial response system is also used to determine whether the BCP needs to be activated.
Downstream (Customers)
Digital Workplace Business
Regionally Distributed Production and Supply of Toner and Consumable Components
If climate-related disasters such as wind and flood damage become more severe and frequent, procurement and logistics in affected areas could be disrupted, potentially preventing the maintenance of product supply. As a preparedness measure against such climate disaster risks, Konica Minolta's Digital Workplace Business and Professional Printing Business operate their own production sites for consumable parts and printing toner production and filling in Japan, Europe, and North America, striving to ensure a highly resilient supply chain system capable of supplying products in consuming regions.
Imaging Solutions Business
AeroDR Mobile Solution for Medical Relief in Disaster Zones
In areas where natural disasters have occurred, it is often necessary to carry out medical relief activities without electricity or fuel. Konica Minolta's AeroDR Mobile Solution is an X-ray imaging system that continues to operate after the power supply is cut. It is highly portable and suitable for outdoor use. It allows X-ray images to be viewed on the spot and can be charged during transport.
Social Contribution Activities
Provision of “Spring of Relief” Water Resources as Disaster Preparedness
In the case of a major natural disaster, Konica Minolta, Inc. has established a system at its office in Hino, Tokyo, for accessing well water using its own power generation equipment. Additionally, this emergency water source is available to a nearby hospital designated for disaster relief as part of local disaster preparedness efforts.
Participation in Efforts to Support Disaster-Affected Areas
After the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011, Konica Minolta dispatched about 100 employees to the affected areas and participated in reconstruction support activities. Since 2013, we have participated in a project to regenerate protective coastal forests in the disaster zones. Aiming to preserve coastal ecosystems, we have participated in activities to restore their disaster prevention and mitigation functions.
