Conservation of Biodiversity and Habitats

Asian Waterbird Census

TeaM Energy Foundation, Inc. (TEFI) was established to handle the CSR activities of TeaM Energy Corporation (TeaM Energy), an independent power producer in the Philippines in which Marubeni owns a 50% stake. In cooperation with the Wild Bird Club of the Philippines (WBCP) and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, TEFI has participated in the Asian Waterbird Census, an Asian aquatic bird population survey conducted by the international NGO “Wetlands International”, every year since 2010, and collects data on waterbirds within a 10-kilometer radius of the Pagbilao and Sual power plants, which are owned and operated by TeaM Energy. The survey has confirmed that the environmental impact on the neighborhoods around the power plants is low, and a healthy environment is being maintained.
The areas around the Pagbilao and Sual power plants are sanctuaries of the Philippine duck (Anas luzonica), an endemic species of the Philippines that is designated as “vulnerable” in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2014 issued by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. The sites of the power plants are resting spots for many other birds, including migratory birds.
TEFI takes steps to safeguard the habitat of these birds through noise reduction measures, limitations on development, and habitat relocation in the event of development. In the 2020 survey, a total of 313 Philippine ducks and 10 brahminy kites were confirmed at the power plant sites and within a 10-kilometer radius.

Afforestation Program

TEFI is carrying out projects to plant acacia, eucalyptus and other tree varieties at its Pagbilao and Sual power plants since 2001 in partnership with neighboring communities as well as NGOs such as Sioasio East Forest Developers Association. The average survival rate of the saplings planted in Sioasio is 95%. To date, approximately 100 hectares at Sual and 328 hectares at Pagbilao have been planted and are being maintained.

For approximately four years, until the Pagbilao and Sual power plants are transferred to the state-run power company from 2024 through 2025, Marubeni will continue to protect and maintain a total of about 144,400 hectares of forests where TEFI has been carrying out conservation and afforestation, as well as at other activity areas, with the goal to protect biodiversity and to foster forest preservation.

Tree Planting Activities to Reduce and Restore Negative Impacts on Biodiversity

Maynilad Water Services, Inc.(Maynilad), a Marubeni Group company engaged in water supply and sewerage services in Metropolitan Manila, has planted more than 200,000 mangrove propagules in the coastal area for the purpose of land conservation (including conservation of species), reduction of negative impacts caused by the population growth, and recovery. This activity employs fishermen in some areas and provides them with additional income opportunities. With the support of the country's government agencies (such as the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and local government entities), businesses, and volunteers, the company also arranges events to educate people on responsible water consumption and proper wastewater management. Together with our stakeholders, Maynilad will continue to invest in local communities through tree planting activities to conserve ecosystems, prevent flooding, provide high-quality water and operate the sustainable water business.

Engagement to Reduce Loss of Biodiversity

Forest Conservation Activities and Providing Livelihoods to Indigenous People

Entry into the Salmon Farming Business via Recirculating Aquaculture System

Responding to the Rising Global Demand for Marine Products

The improvement of living standards in the developing countries and growing health consciousness in the developed countries have resulted in the yearly increase in the global demand for marine products. Nevertheless, as the fish catch from fisheries has remained stable for the past 30 years, aquaculture has taken on an increasing significance. Within this field, in the sub-industry of salmon farming, which has been geographically limited due to the scarcity of coastal regions that are suited to seawater culture, expectations are especially high for the growth of land-based salmon farming through the use of a Recirculating Aquaculture System (hereinafter “RAS”^*1), which is not limited by geographical conditions.

• A Recirculating Aquaculture System (RAS) is a farming method that filters and circulates 90% or more of the water used in an enclosed, land-based facility. Given that water temperature, water quality, and other conditions are controlled within the facility, it is minimally impacted by outside factors.

In April 2020, Marubeni, jointly with Nippon Suisan (Europe) B.V., acquired shares of Danish Salmon A/S (hereinafter “DS”), a globally top-ranked company with a track record in RAS production. Marubeni will meet the growing global demand for marine products through DS, one of the few companies to have established manufacturing expertise and technology in this field.

Contribution to Sustainability

RAS has minimal impact on the surrounding environment and the ecosystem, as it uses and recirculates water within an enclosed facility, thereby reducing water pollution and the risk of escaping farmed fish. RAS also has an established control framework and is thus capable of retaining records, making it a farming method that supports traceability. It is also being regarded as a viable method of effectively resolving future shortages in protein supply which may occur in conjunction with the growing global population.
Marubeni is ready to contribute to the resolution of social problems by not only meeting the growing global demand for marine products but also providing a stable supply of environmentally-friendly marine products.

The Handling of RSPO/ISCC Certified Products

Roughly 30% of the palm oil and palm oil derivative products handled by our subsidiary Baum & Co., Inc. (USA) are RSPO/ISCC certified products.
We are doing our part to promote such certified products by responding to the needs of our environmentally conscious customers.

Participation in the TNFD Forum

TNFD Forum is an organization which shares the vison and mission of Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD)^*2, an international organization that builds a risk management and disclosure framework related to nature capital and biodiversity. Marubeni participated in the TNFD Forum in March 2022.
By participating in the TNFD Forum, Marubeni will continue to contribute to the conservation of biodiversity, which is an urgent issue in the world along with climate change, through supporting the development of TNFD’s framework.

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• TNFD is an organization to build a risk management and disclosure framework related to nature capital and biodiversity, inspired by the 2019 World Economic Forum (Davos Conference). The mission of TNFD is to develop a disclosure framework for organizations to report, which aims to support a shift in global financial flows toward nature-positive outcomes.

Click here to view the TNFD Website

Support of the Declaration of Biodiversity by Keidanren

In January of 2020, the Company announced its agreement with and support of the Revision to “Declaration of Biodiversity by Keidanren and Action Policy” of October 2018 put out by the Keidanren Committee on Nature Conservation.

Click here to view the " Declaration of Biodiversity by Keidanren and Action Policy” (Revised Edition)

Marine Ecolabel Japan (MEL)

Marubeni is a full member of Marine Ecolabel Japan (MEL), and promotes initiatives of fisheries, aquaculture, and chain of custody that considers environment, biodiversity, and sustainable use of fishery resources.
Marubeni will continue to contribute to sustainable fishery that is environmentally and ecologically friendly within our business as well as in our supply chain.

Marine Ecolabel Japan (MEL)