Isuzu Group Policy on Biodiversity

In FY2019, Isuzu formulated an Isuzu Group Policy on Biodiversity while referring to materials such as the Ministry of the Environment’s Guidelines for Private Sector Engagement in Biodiversity and the Keidanren Declaration of Biodiversity.
Based on this policy, the offices of each company within the Group conducts activities to help protect their unique regional natural environments and promote the conservation of biodiversity.
Since January 2020, we have endorsed the Keidanren Declaration of Biodiversity and have renewed our determination to work to conserve biodiversity through our business activities.

• Management Structure

Promoting Biodiversity Conservation Efforts

Isuzu conducted expert-led biodiversity surveys on the sites of its Fujisawa and Tochigi Plants. The results revealed that the forests were poorly cared for at both sites, which negatively impacted their function as habitats for local species. Consequently, the ecosystem was losing its equilibrium while invasive species were thriving. In response to these results, volunteer employees began working on site maintenance in FY2017. Since then, efforts have continued to develop the areas for native species to thrive, and to restore the healthy forest environment.
A recent investigation has found that these efforts have helped to reduce invasive species at the sites and that the ecosystem is gradually regaining its equilibrium. We will continue these initiatives in the future, leveraging expert opinions to restore the ecosystem to its natural state and even enrich it. In this way we will maintain an environment for Isuzu to continue its operations as it has always been.

Promoting Efforts to Protect Local Ecosystems

We promote efforts to protect regional ecosystems in local communities where we conduct business, working to conserve them along with their biodiversity. In addition, by encouraging these activities across the entire Isuzu Group, we will remain committed to protecting global biodiversity.

Watarase Reservoir Conservation Activities

Since 2016, Isuzu has been involved in conservation activities at the Watarase Reservoir near its Tochigi Plant.
The Watarase Reservoir is the largest reservoir area in Japan and is a Ramsar-registered wetland that serves an important flood control function to prevent flood damage in the region. It is also home to numerous plant and animal species, including endangered species. Isuzu has learned that proper management involving human intervention is necessary to maintain this rich biodiversity for the future and Isuzu continues to participate in activities such as reed cutting, removal of invasive alien species, and trash pickup organized by local governments and NPOs and led by volunteers from the Tochigi Plant. The ongoing conservation activities conducted with local residents have borne fruit and storks have been seen flying and nesting in the Watarase Yusui area.
In FY2022, we received letters of appreciation from Tochigi City for being recognized as an Environmental Conservation Organization, and from the city of Oyama for two consecutive years, in FY2022 and FY2023, as an Oyama City Watarase Yusui Wetland Conservation Support Organization, respectively.
9 staff members from two companies participated in the Watarase Reservoir Invasive Plant Removal Activity, sponsored by Tochigi City in May 2022, to help eliminate non-native species from the expansive reservoir area.

Participating in Activities to Develop Forests That Supply Water in Kanagawa Prefecture

Since FY2019, the Isuzu Fujisawa Plant has been participating in Kanagawa Prefecture’s Forest Restoration Partner project. To protect the woodlands that are the source of the groundwater used by the plant, we continue with the work of preserving the Yadoriki Water Source Forest in Ashigarakami District.
Group companies at the Fujisawa Plant have also taken part in the effort starting in FY2020, with 64 employees and their families representing four companies participating in the conservation activities held in June and September 2019. While being reminded of the importance of biodiversity and preserving the forests that act as water sources, participants observed nature and helped thin neglected forest, helping return it to its natural state.

Creating chairs using thinned wood

Isuzu Plaza's Biotope

At Isuzu Plaza, a biotope has been established to replicate the unique ecosystem of the Fujisawa region, where the plaza is located. Since FY2020, we have been collaborating with local university research labs. Our efforts include improvements like revising tree signage content to create a biotope that serves as a place of relaxation for the community, allowing everyone to feel closer to nature. We are actively seeking various pieces of advice to achieve this goal. Students are encouraged to utilize this space for fieldwork and as a practical platform for considering community coexistence. We have provided a venue for presenting research outcomes to Isuzu. Additionally, employees are discovering the significance of ecosystem conservation afresh, while drawing inspiration from the innovative ideas of the students.

Promoting Sustainable Procurement

In sourcing raw materials, we take into account sustainability and the conservation of biodiversity.
Isuzu has established the Isuzu Green Procurement Guideline to promote environmental conservation activities in collaboration with our business partners. We ask them to engage in environmental conservation activities through annual production briefings and individual briefings.
Furthermore, in December 2022, we revised the Isuzu Supplier CSR Guidelines to include a request for initiatives in biodiversity conservation. We are also requesting appropriate management of water resources and chemicals, along with the efficient and circular utilization of resources. In FY2023, we conducted handouts distribution in June and an online briefing session in February, taking measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19. During the briefing session, we provided information about Isuzu's activity plan for FY2023, along with details regarding the Environmental Management Self-Evaluation Report, which we request business partners to submit. We shared the evaluation results from FY2022 and communicated their requirements for FY2023 concerning this report.
We provided our business partners, who are members of the Isuzu Kyowa-kai*, with detailed explanations to enhance their understanding of our future initiatives.

Adoption of Environmentally Friendly Materials

Wood has been used for the flooring of truck beds for many years, but it takes a long time for trees to reach maturity and be utilized as materials.
Isuzu has begun adopting bamboo, a member of the grass family, as an alternative flooring material to wood, in consideration of forest conservation.
Bamboo, with its fast growth rate that enables it to be utilized as a material in about five years, along with its excellent durability, can be considered a suitable material for truck beds.
Bamboo flooring material is being used in many vehicle models, including the new ELF released in March 2023.

Developing Human Resources to Build a Society in Harmony with Nature

The Isuzu Group pursues good environment-related communication with its various stakeholders, including its customers, business partners, the surrounding community, shareholders, investors and employees. To this end, we participate in environmental activities in the local communities around where we operate and release many environmental data.
Enhancing its environment-related communication, the Isuzu Group endeavors to obtain more understanding about its environmental activities in pursuit of continued improvements. By proactively sharing information within the Group, we develop human resources that will help build a society in harmony with nature.

Training Employees

Isuzu has been providing all employees with common educational programs on the environment since FY2017.
This environmental education initiative, covering all Isuzu employees, is held periodically. It raises awareness of environmental issues among employees and promotes a better understanding of the Company’s environmental activities. The program combines e-learning and group training, reducing the CO₂ emissions generated by the transportation needs of participating employees. Similarly, the introductory training programs for new and mid-career recruits includes this environmental education, where they learn the reasons behind Isuzu’s environmental initiatives and consider what they should do as Isuzu employees.
We also provide training regarding environmental laws and regulations as well as internal environmental auditor training every year to deepen employees’ understanding and make them more competent.

Presenting Our Environmental Initiatives to Members of the Local Community

Every year, the Isuzu Fujisawa Plant invites key members of local residents’ associations from six neighboring areas. The visitors receive an explanation about the environmental initiatives of Isuzu and the Fujisawa Plant and take part in a tour of the assembly lines. This annual event is a valuable opportunity to promote a better understanding of Isuzu’s environmental initiatives and what we actually do for the cause, among people in the local community to whom we usually owe so much.
These activities provide a valuable opportunity for Isuzu's neighborhood residents, to whom we are always grateful, to learn about Isuzu's environmental activities and actual initiatives.
When the event was held in October 2019, 46 people attended, and everyone commented that they understood Isuzu's initiatives well, making it a valuable opportunity for better communication with neighborhood residents.