Environment | In harmony with nature
Long-term environmental vision (2050 and beyond):
In balance with nature (Contribution > Footprint)

The Bridgestone Group aims to exist in harmony with nature by maximizing its contribution to biodiversity (ecosystems, species and genetic resources) while minimizing the impact of its business activities. To be in harmony with nature, the long-term goal is based on the commitment to contribute to biodiversity conservation through habitat enhancement, environmental education and research, so that its contribution is greater than its footprint by 2050 and beyond.

Actions to achieve to exist in harmony with nature

The Group identifies and engages in activities related to its impact on and contribution to preservation/conservation of the environment throughout its product lifecycles and value chain.

1. Minimizing footprint
   (Examples)
   ・Reduce CO₂ emissions from operations
   ・Reduce water withdrawal impact in water stress areas
   ・Reduce waste generated and amounts sent to landfills
   ・Request suppliers’ consideration of biodiversity
2. Enhancing contribution
   (Examples)
   ・Develop and expand solution business to contribute to CO₂ reduction
   ・Preserve and restore ecosystems around Bridgestone Group facilities
   ・Contribute to enhancement of circular economy
   ・Introduce biodiversity educational program

The Group is working on improving the environmental impact as one of its new mid-term environmental targets in Milestone 2030. The Bridgestone Group intends to be even more ambitious in its activities in response to the continued importance of social and environmental issues, and the potential impact on the environment caused by business growth.

For details of the water stewardship plan, see “Minimizing footprint.”

The Group's business operations take into account the impact on the ecosystem as a whole. Since 2013, the Group has been conducting materiality analysis on the environmental footprint of its operations and on its environmental contributions to biodiversity conservation. Based on the interrelationships in the following diagram, this analysis has identified the priority issues. Moving forward, the Group plans to expand its activities by taking key actions on these issues, while continually reviewing our priority issues to meet the changes in social needs.

Meanwhile, various quantification methodologies for biodiversity have been developed by different organizations, including the Natural Capital Protocol. Keeping track of these global trends, the Bridgestone Group strive to deepen its understanding of the relationships between its business operations and biodiversity both qualitatively and quantitatively.

*Diagram was created based on the Business & Biodiversity Interrelationship Map® released by the Japan Business Initiative for Biodiversity (JBIB).

We, the Bridgestone Group, respect the principles of the Convention on Biological Diversity. We promote biodiversity to help ensure not only sustainability but also a healthy, vibrant future. The Bridgestone Group is committed to enhancing biodiversity by leveraging its global presence. We are actively linking our world-wide network of people with their unique wildlife habitats, and providing education and research needed to achieve healthy biodiversity at the gene, species and habitat levels. We at Bridgestone are humbled by the lessons we can learn together with others in our communities by connecting with nature.

1. We will contribute to biodiversity conservation through active habitat preservation and enhancement at our operating locations and beyond our property lines.
2. We will contribute to biodiversity conservation through environmental education and research.

The Bridgestone Group launched “The Bridgestone In Harmony with Nature – Promoting Biodiversity Program” in early 2019.

Through the program, the Group encourages all manufacturing facilities across the globe to promote activities to conserve biodiversity. Many of its facilities already have initiatives in place, such as educational partnerships, conservation efforts, and microhabitats. This program seeks to highlight those facilities for their efforts by recognition based upon measurable KPIs annually.

In 2021, 141 manufacturing facilities participated in this program and 37 sites are recognized as Gold Class, increased by 2 sites from last year.

As an annual results, Bridgestone Group held over 630 Environmental conservation/education events such as Eco-Art Contest, tree planting campaign and waste tire collecting. The participants of those events exceeded 27,400.

Sixty-seven manufacturing facilities have partnerships with local schools, universities, NGO/NPOs, national wildlife groups, and governments and have promoted biodiversity conservation. For example, Aiken PSR in the U.S. has partnered with University of South Carolina, Aiken Campus to provide educational classroom instruction to Aiken County students.