SDGs Initiatives
Under our Corporate Philosophy, “Taking on the challenge, through the power of technology, to create a world that lives in balance with nature,” we aim to contribute to the sustainable development of society and enhance our corporate value over the long term through the understanding and implementation of Kanadevia Value by all executives and employees in conducting our corporate activities.
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are goals adopted by the United Nations that all nations must join forces to protect the planet, end poverty in all its forms, fight inequality and address climate change, and leave no one behind on the planet by 2030. The goal has been adopted by the United Nations.
Current issues occurring at the global level include the deterioration of the global environment, especially climate change due to increased CO2 emissions, pollution of the atmosphere and oceans due to industrial development, and sometimes conflicts over energy resources. E.H. Hunter, the founder of our Group, came to Japan from what is now Northern Ireland and started a shipbuilding company with his personal capital. Inheriting the “spirit of challenge” of our founder, E.H. Hunter, our Group will continue to work toward achieving the SDGs goals, a common philosophy of the international community, by providing solutions to various social issues.
The Group's activities contributing to the SDGs
Kanadevia Group activities contributing to the SDGs
1. Activities that directly contribute through products and businesses
Provision of renewable energy (CO2 reduction)
Waste to Energy Plants, which are also our core products, burn waste for hygienic treatment and generate electricity at the same time, contributing to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. We will also contribute to a wide range of other energy fields, including methane fermentation systems, onshore and offshore wind power generation, fuel cells and All-Solid-state Lithium-ion Batteries, hydrogen generator using surplus electricity and the development of methanation systems that use that hydrogen to convert CO2 into methane gas and utilize it.
Eliminate water shortages and prevent environmental degradation associated with industrial development
Our seawater desalination plants help to alleviate the chronic shortage of water in regions where safe drinking water is not available, and our wastewater treatment systems prevent the pollution of rivers by industrial water in the wake of industrial development
Solving food safety, food loss and food problems
The recording of food processing processes by Food Defense Recorder and the detection of foreign matter mixed in with cut vegetables and food ingredients by foreign matter sorting equioments have solved the problems of food safety and food loss, leading to the provision of safe and secure food. We are also working to provide a stable food supply by utilizing the technology developed in our water treatment technology for land-based aquaculture.
Building Resilient Cities - Protecting Lives from Natural Disasters
Our bridge business has been involved in the development of infrastructure that supports people's lives for more than 100 years to date. In recent years, we have also contributed to the reduction of damage by developing flap gate-type flood prevention equipment and seabed-type flap gate operating breakwaters that prevent flood damage caused by guerrilla downpours and long rains due to climate change, and tsunami storm surges caused by earthquakes and typhoons. We also contribute to the field of disaster prevention, such as expediting evacuation instructions in the event of a tsunami by utilizing GPS ocean observation systems. The underground space created by shield tunneling machines is also used to prevent flooding, etc.
2. Activities that contribute through the resolution of sustainability issues
Plomotion of diversity and management
In addition to the promotion of women's activities, we are strongly promoting diversity management as an initiative to foster a corporate culture in which everyone can maximize their individual abilities. We expect that innovation will be generated when each staff member works with respect for each other's various values, regardless of their attributes.
Promotion of workstyle reform
To create a workplace where everyone can work comfortably, we are enhancing our systems such as telecommuting, satellite offices, super-flex time, company-wide concentrated time, and regular workdays.
Environmental awareness activities
At the Waste to Energy Plants and other environment-related plants that we operate throughout Japan, we offer facility tours and environmental awareness classes to the local community. Overseas, through environmental awareness events for high school and university students in Laos and the production of learning materials for elementary school students, we are working to raise awareness about the importance of environmental protection through hygienic waste disposal and recycling. We also have a permanent exhibit on environmental awareness at the Osaka Science & Technology Center.
In 2017, the Kanadevia Group formulated the Kanadevia 2030 Vision, our long-term vision, to clarify our desired image for 2030 and to promote initiatives aimed at achieving them. We are focusing on the environmental fields of “energy” and “water” as our core business areas, and are taking steps to strengthen our profitability and expand our business by leveraging our accumulated technological capabilities, delivery record, and connections with customers and society. The year 2030, which is the goal of the SDGs, also corresponds to the time when the future vision of “Kanadevia 2030 Vision” will be realized, and we will contribute to this goal by mobilizing the collective efforts of the Kanadevia Group.