7. Creating a Bright Society
1997-
(1) Developing Environmental Management
- 2000
- To strategically address global environmental protection, DENSO formulated the “DENSO Eco Vision 2005” and declared its commitment to practicing “Environmental Management.” Since then, the company has continued to update its Eco Vision and pursue activities aimed at becoming a top runner in environmental initiatives.
Japan's environmental issues have been prevalent since the high-growth period of the 1960s, manifesting as pollution problems like air pollution. Early on, DENSO established internal standards stricter than legal regulations and actively worked on pollution prevention. By the late 1980s, issues like global warming had become global environmental problems that required international collaboration. The societal demand for addressing environmental issues rapidly increased, and companies started being evaluated based on their environmental initiatives. Companies were required by their clients to obtain international environmental certifications, and shareholders began demanding proactive information disclosure.
- Deep DiveObtaining ISO Standards
- DENSO has been proactive in obtaining ISO 14001 certification, an international standard for environmental management. This effort was driven not only by the need to comply with regulations but also by the expectation that an environmentally-focused management approach would create a new style of corporate activity.
Leading the automotive parts industry, DENSO's Ikeda Plant obtained ISO 14001 certification in 1996. By 1998, all domestic plants had completed the certification process. Beyond certification, DENSO introduced its own environmental assessment system, setting a vision for what environmentally harmonious factories should look like and evaluating progress towards this vision. This unique initiative was named the “DECO Factory (DENSO ECO Factory) activities.”
It became clear that addressing environmental issues required long-term commitment. Recognizing the importance of these issues, DENSO believed that just as a compass is essential for company management, a guiding framework was necessary for environmental measures.
In June 2000, DENSO formulated the “DENSO Eco Vision 2005” and declared its commitment to practicing “Environmental Management.”
Reference：Overview of DENSO Eco Vision 2005
When formulating this Eco Vision, DENSO viewed environmental issues not negatively but as an excellent opportunity to enhance both corporate competitiveness and societal evaluation. With this understanding, the company aimed for aggressive initiatives to become an “environmental top runner,” striving to practice environmental management that promotes the construction of a recycling-oriented society and sustainable development.
- Deep DiveActivities Based on Eco Vision 2005
- In alignment with the era of declarations, the Eco Vision included “commitments,” which were mandatory targets the entire DENSO Group pledged to achieve. When formulating the “Environmental Action Plan,” which served as the execution plan for the Eco Vision, DENSO adopted a fresh perspective. Instead of extending from what was already possible, the company set ambitious goals based on what needed to be done immediately to realize the desired state by 2005.
Moreover, DENSO aimed to ensure that its environmental protection efforts did not merely serve internal satisfaction but also garnered social recognition. To become a “company valued by society,” DENSO actively disseminated information about its initiatives. This proactive communication led to high evaluations from both domestic and international media and investment institutions.
- Preventing Global Warming
- Resource Recycling
- Reducing Environmental Impact Substances
Major initiatives included accelerating the development of CO₂ reduction technologies for automobiles, addressing the increase in CO₂ emissions from factories and logistics, expanding waste reduction activities overseas, and promoting recycling design.
Reference：Overview of DENSO Eco Vision 2015
In 2015, looking further ahead, DENSO formulated the “DENSO Eco Vision 2025.” With the aim of achieving a sustainable society by 2050, the company set three goals to be reached by 2025:- Halving Energy Use (CO₂ emissions)
- Doubling Cleanliness (impact of environmental load substances)
- Doubling Greenness (new environmental businesses)
These goals were expanded into ten specific action guidelines covering products, factories, employees, and management. DENSO has been working towards achieving these targets through concrete initiatives in each area.
Reference：Overview of DENSO Eco Vision 2025