KAO Environmental Report 2024

Kumon Group Environmental Philosophy

In order to solve global environmental problems, it is necessary to combine the knowledge of people from all around the world.

The Kumon Group strives to develop individuals who will make contributions to the society. Accordingly, the Kumon Group believes that one of our core values is to fulfil our responsibilities and obligations with regard to solving global environmental problems.

The Kumon Group views the preservation of the global environment as an important challenge to be met as we carry out our business activities. We will incorporate this environmentally-friendly vision into our business planning and will work on a permanent basis to protect our precious planet and sustain its natural resources for current and future generations.

Kumon Group Environmental Policy

The Kumon Group will endeavour, throughout all our business activities, to conserve natural resources and preserve the natural environment through the development of human resources.

• The Kumon Group will strive to recognise how our business activities affect the environment. We will work to conserve energy and resources, as well as to carry out recycling, in order to reduce the amount of waste we produce. Our overriding aim is to prevent damage to the environment and to reduce pollution.
• The Kumon Group will work together with associated parties and business partners in order to reduce the impact of our activities on the environment. At the same time, we will act positively to protect the environment by promoting activities aimed at forest regeneration.
• The Kumon Group will operate in compliance with the applicable laws and regulations in all of the countries and regions in which we have business activities, and will permanently work to preserve the environment.
• The Kumon Group will strive to make each and every Kumon staff member more aware of environmental issues through education and consciousness-raising activities. At the same time, as a responsible corporate citizen, we will make information related to the environment publicly available.

KAO Green Initiatives

At KAO, we prioritise sustainability by minimising electricity and paper usage to reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. Our Environmental Management (EM) initiatives focus on reducing non-essential printing, optimising power management, and promoting paper recycling business activities. We endeavour to reduce the usage of electricity and paper, and thus CO2 emissions. We have tracked our progress using specific indicators.

ANNUAL USAGE STATISTICS

Electricity

We have taken the following actions to reduce our electricity usage:

• Replacing traditional incandescent bulbs with energy-efficient LED lighting, which consumes less energy and has a longer lifespan
• Encouraging employees to turn off lights, computers, and other devices when not in use
• Implementing automatic power-off settings for electronics
• Investing in energy-efficient office equipment, such as computers, printers, and appliances, with ENERGY STAR certification.

Electricity usage in 2022    1,125,175 kWh
Electricity usage in 2023    1,244,116 kWh

Paper

We have taken the following actions to reduce our paper usage:

• Promoting digital documentation and communication to reduce paper use.
• Implementing e-signatures and digital workflows where possible
• Minimising the use of disposable cups, plates and cutlery
• Encouraging employees to use reusable items and provide them if necessary
• Setting up recycling bins for paper, plastic and general waste
• Providing clear instructions and signages to ensure proper sorting.

Paper usage in 2022    1,608,659 sheets
Paper usage in 2023    1,530,064 sheets

Paper Recycling
As part of our commitment to sustainability and operational efficiency, paper filing will be reduced by transitioning to electronic filing (e-filing). All existing paper documents will be securely digitised and the physical copies will be sent for recycling environmentally responsibly.

In 2022   18,491 kg
In 2023   21,084 kg

CO2 Emission
CO2 is the primary greenhouse gas that contributes to global warming and electricity usage is one of the main sources of CO2 emission. For commercial buildings, it also increases substantially when emissions from electricity end-use are included. This is due to the relatively large share of electricity use (e.g., heating, ventilation, air conditioning; lighting; and appliances). As such, KAO members are actively working to further reduce electricity usage in the workspace.

In 2022  739 t-CO2
In 2023  825 t-CO2

EXAMPLES OF ENVIRONMENTAL EFFORTS IN KAO

Sustainability in the office: How to save electricity, reduce paper usage, and minimise waste

In today’s world, sustainability is more than just a buzzword. It is a necessary commitment. Offices, as hubs of activity, have significant potential to reduce their environmental footprint. By focusing on electricity saving, paper reduction, and waste reduction, offices can contribute to a healthier planet while also enjoying cost savings.

Electrical Saving

Energy-Efficient Lighting
Switching to LED bulbs or energy-efficient lighting systems can drastically reduce electricity consumption. LEDs consume up to 80% less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs and last much longer.

Natural Light Use
Maximising the use of natural light by rearranging workspaces near windows. This reduces the need for artificial lighting during the day.

Paper Reduction

Go Digital
Adopting digital tools for communication, document sharing, and collaboration. Tools like Google Drive, Dropbox, Microsoft SharePoint and Microsoft Teams make it easy to work without paper.

Waste Reduction

Minimise Single-Use Items
Replacing single-use items like plastic cups, utensils, and packaging with reusable alternatives. Encouraging employees to bring their own mugs, bottles, and containers.