Environment
Environmental Initiatives | Response to the TCFD Proposal | Environmental Protection Goals | Climate Change Initiatives | Conserving Water | Waste Reduction Efforts | Chemical Substance Use | Eco-Product Initiatives | Eco-Communication Initiatives | Biodiversity Conservation Activities | Environmental Data and Third-Party Verification
Biodiversity Conservation Policy and Activities
Renesas' business sector, semiconductors, requires large amounts of water, resources, and energy for manufacturing, and relies heavily on various ecosystem services provided by biodiversity. However, in recent years, the Worldwide Fund for Nature (WWF) has reported that the "index of the health of nature and biodiversity (the Living Planet Index)" has declined by 73% over the 50 years since 1970. The health of ecosystem services has deteriorated significantly.
We are aware of this situation and have included biodiversity conservation in our Environmental Action Guidelines. In accordance with these guidelines, we conduct corporate activities that promote the harmony between the global environment conservation and people's healthy lives and strive to realize a sustainable society. Although we do not conduct business activities that directly affect biodiversity or lead to deforestation, we are working to protect the environment, including forests, through activities such as water conservation and greenhouse gas emission reduction, mainly at our manufacturing sites.
Renesas' policy is to actively promote business activities that contribute to biodiversity conservation, such as the efficient resources use at manufacturing and business sites and the provision of sustainable products and solutions. we would like to give the benefits from ecosystem services back to our local communities, while meeting our customers’ needs. Renesas is always aware that biodiversity is an important concept that supports a rich and healthy society and is actively engaged in activities that contribute to the conservation of biodiversity through our business activities.
*Living Planet Report 2024 - To Build a Nature-Positive Society - | WWF Japan
Renesas Biodiversity Conservation Initiatives
Renesas Biodiversity Conservation Activities
The following two points summarize our recent initiatives and future activities:
- Renesas conducts a wide range of biodiversity conservation activities, primarily at its domestic and overseas manufacturing sites. To enhance the visibility of these activities, the company has continuously carried out evaluations using its proprietary scorebook. In the latest assessment, one additional overseas site was newly included, further strengthening the global evaluation framework. Going forward, Renesas will continue to leverage the scorebook to drive continuous improvement and greater engagement in biodiversity conservation activities.
- Renesas has been actively communicating its biodiversity conservation initiatives both internally and externally, primarily around June, which is Environmental Month. Building on these efforts. Renesas will continue to communicate its activities to both internal and external stakeholders in the future.
Renesas Biodiversity Conservation Activity Index and Scorebook
In order to evaluate the biodiversity conservation activities of each manufacturing base and business site in global, Renesas has classified biodiversity conservation activities into four categories as next. A. Conservation of ocean and water quality, B. Conservation of soil and natural environment, C. Ecosystem protection through global warming control and resource conservation activities, D. Collaboration with local governments/activities in the main business/employee awareness raising/improving the work environment.
In the scorebook, a total of 13 items are set as activity indicators for biodiversity conservation based on specific activities, with reference to the international goals of the United Nations Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD-COP) for the four categories. Each indicator is evaluated on a 4-level scale**
**Evaluated from 0 to 3 points for each indicator, such as whether activities are being implemented or not, administrative standards, etc.
| Activity classification (4 classifications) | Biodiversity activity index (13 items) |
|---|---|
| A. Conservation of ocean and water quality | Coastal, river, and water source cleanup activities |
| Cleaning around the site (prevention of contamination of water areas with plastics, etc.) | |
| Drainage measures to public water areas | |
| B. Conservation of soil and natural environment | On-site green areas where birds, insects, and fish can live |
| Cultivation of trees off-site such as tree planting and thinning | |
| Groundwater recharge, conservation of forests and soil | |
| Protection and cultivation of endangered species | |
| C. Ecosystem protection through global warming control and resource conservation activities | Contribution to an energy-saving, decarbonized society and resource saving activities |
| Holding discussions on energy conservation ・decarbonization and resource saving activities | |
| D. Coordination with local governments, activities in the main business, employee awareness raising, improving the work environment | Coordinating biodiversity activities with local governments |
| Contribution in core business (procurement to disposal process) | |
| Improving employee awareness of biodiversity | |
| Improving the working environment with the intention of preserving biodiversity |
Renesas Biodiversity Conservation Activity Results
In fiscal 2024, Renesas implemented 130 biodiversity conservation activities, mainly at manufacturing sites.
Unit: number of Activities
| Renesas (15 manufacturing sites, one office) | A. Ocean and water quality conservation | B. Conservation of soil and natural environment | C. Ecosystem protection through global warming control and resource conservation activities | D. Cooperation with local governments, activities in the main business, employee awareness raising, improving the work environment | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Production sites | 29 | 22 | 25 | 47 | 123 |
| Offices | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 7 |
| Total | 31 | 23 | 27 | 49 | 130 |
Major Activities
A. Conservation of ocean and water quality
Conservation of the ocean and water quality is essential for the semiconductor manufacturing industry, which requires large amounts of water resources. Renesas strives to preserve ocean and water quality through regular cleaning of industrial drainage channels and participation in community cleanup volunteers.
B. Conservation of soil and natural environment
In order to build a healthy living environment and sustainable future, the preservation of rich soil, trees, and the diverse organisms nurtured therein is essential. Renesas' facilities scattered throughout various regions engage in activities closely tied to each local community.
C. Ecosystem protection through global warming control and resource conservation activities
Renesas recognizes that efforts to curb global warming and conserve resources are urgent issues to protect the ecosystem. Working to solve environmental issues from a variety of perspectives, from updating equipment to more energy-saving equipment, introducing highly efficient lines, purchasing green electricity, and saving electricity in the workplace.
D. Coordination with local governments, activities in the main business, employee awareness raising, Improving the work environment.
Actively cooperate with local governments where our manufacturing bases are located in their efforts to address local environmental issues.
At all of factories, we are working to reduce the amount of materials and resources needed in the semiconductor manufacturing process, reduce waste, and recycle.
Regularly raise employee awareness through environmental education, sharing of environmental information, and campaign activities at each site.
Renesas Biodiversity conservation Activity Evaluation for FY2024
Renesas evaluates biodiversity conservation activities at each site based on an average score that reflects both self-assessments conducted by the sites and reviews by the corporate environmental department. In FY2024, the third year of this evaluation framework, one additional overseas site was included, bringing the total to 16 sites assessed globally.
Biodiversity initiatives continued to be actively promoted at both domestic and overseas locations. Notably, several sites enhanced their efforts to raise employee awareness, which led to improved evaluation scores. In addition to traditional training such as online and in-person education, these sites strengthened their communication of environmental information internally.
In the site-by-site comparison, the Kuala Langat Factory received the highest rating due to the launch of various new initiatives, including the protection of endangered species and participation in food loss reduction campaigns. The Beijing Factory also earned high marks for beginning a vegetation survey aimed at quantitatively understanding local biodiversity. Similarly, Penang FIZ2 Factory and Penang FIZ3 Site were recognized for their active participation in community-led environmental activities, including mangrove planting. Among domestic sites, the Oita Factory significantly improved its score through enhanced waste reduction and awareness-raising efforts, while the Naka Factory was commended for initiating the recycling of protective packaging materials.
Three years into the implementation of our biodiversity scorecard system, Renesas has successfully visualized the progress of biodiversity activities at each site. This has enabled continuous review and reflection, fostering opportunities to enhance the quality and strategic direction of our initiatives. Moving forward, we will continue to promote these activities while encouraging cross-site information sharing to further improve our contributions to biodiversity conservation across the Renesas Group.
1) Average score for 1 office and 14 factories (Headquarters, Naka, Takasaki, Saijo, Kawashiri, Yonezawa, Oita, Nishiki, Beijing, Suzhou, Kuala Langat, Penang FIZ2, Penang FIZ3, Palm Bay, Dresden)
2) Average score of 1) plus Bingen site
Environment
Environmental Initiatives | Response to the TCFD Proposal | Environmental Protection Goals | Climate Change Initiatives | Conserving Water | Waste Reduction Efforts | Chemical Substance Use | Eco-Product Initiatives | Eco-Communication Initiatives | Biodiversity Conservation Activities | Environmental Data and Third-Party Verification