AISIN - CSR - Environment

In fiscal 2007, the first year of the Fourth Environmental Action Plan, we increased the number of worldwide subsidiaries implementing global environmental management to 139 with the aim of further expanding global environmental conservation activities.
In North America, in particular, Aisin Holdings of America, Inc. takes the initiative in enhancing consolidated environmental activities in the region. The energy efficiency of production bases was increased through such “mono-zukuri innovations” as simplification and streamlining and the reduction of substances of environmental concern in products ahead of legal mandates. Also, we minimized emissions in production and logistics and thoroughly implemented environmental management. In addition to proactively taking other measures such as obtaining ISO certification and establishing a structure to promote Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), further efforts targeted improving the accuracy of environmental accounting, which is one yardstick for measuring progress in environmental management.

For more data on fiscal 2007 environmental activities, click here.

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Expansion of Environmental Management

We made systematic efforts in environmental conservation through the establishment of a consolidated environmental management system. In fiscal 2007, eight domestic and overseas subsidiaries acquired ISO 14001 certification, bringing the total to 76.

Audit and Monitoring of Environmental Management System
The fiscal 2007 external environmental audit found no inconsistencies, judging that “the management system is performing properly.”

Environmental Risk Management
In order to prevent possible environmental pollution triggered by accidents and disasters, we perform daily checks and periodic environmental measurements on equipment and facilities, for which their operation could pose risks to the environment. If any urgent measures are required, criteria are established, and periodic emergency drills are conducted.

Environmental Accidents and Claims
In 2006, purification and other measures were taken with regard to soil and groundwater contamination that occurred at the Nishio Plant. Click here

for details.

Improving Environmental Accounting

Environmental accounting refers to costs and effects of environmental efforts undertaken. Regarding costs, data is identified and calculated according to guideline categories set forth by Japan’s Ministry of the Environment. This year the number of Group companies covered by environmental accounting increased from 12 in the previous fiscal year to 24* companies. On a nonconsolidated basis, the effect of environmental measures for Aisin Seiki rose ¥170 million from the previous year to ¥6,000 million.

Environmental Accounting

* 24 consolidated companies: Aisin Seiki Co., Ltd., Aisin Takaoka Co., Ltd., Aisin Chemical Co., Ltd., Aisin AW Co., Ltd., Aisin Living Planner Co., Ltd., Aisin Keikinzoku Co., Ltd., Aisin Development Co., Ltd., Aisin Kiko Co., Ltd., Aisin AI Co., Ltd., Aisin Sin'ei Co., Ltd., Aisin AW Industries Co., Ltd., Hosei Brake Industry Co., Ltd., Aichi Giken Co., Ltd., Saitama Kogyo Co., Ltd., Yamagata Clutch Co., Ltd., Kotobuki Industry Co., Ltd., Sinsan Corporation, Aisin Engineering Co., Ltd., Aisin Maintenance Co., Ltd., Aisin Tohoku Co., Ltd., Aisin Kyushu Co., Ltd., Konan Kogyo Co., Ltd., Hekinan Unsou Co., Ltd. and Sanetsu Unyu Co., Ltd.

No.12 in Nikkei Environmental Management Survey

In the 2006 Nikkei Environmental Management Survey, AISIN made a huge jump to 12th place from 51st place in 2005. Our environmental activities were highly evaluated with increased scores in all categories including resource recycling through “achieving zero emissions” and eco-friendly product development through the implementation of LCA. We will analyze and identify issues based on the results of this evaluation so we can reflect these in our future activity plans.

Receipt of Outstanding Performance Award at 2006 Aichi Environmental Awards

Nishio Plant received the Outstanding Performance Award at the 2006 Aichi Environmental Awards (hosted by Aichi Prefecture and co-hosted by EPCC) in recognition of the development of an ultra-small energy holding furnace, in which thorough elimination of energy loss and achievement of an energy conservation ratio of 70% compared with a conventional furnace was realized.

3rd Session of North American Consolidated Environmental Committee

In December 2006, AISIN held the third session of the North American Consolidated Environmental Committee in LosAngels, at which the activity results in fiscal 2007 were reported and the efforts for the next fiscal year were discussed.
There were three major issues under discussion: (1) resolution of issues at the Aisin Consolidated Environmental Committee in Japan (reduction of CO2 volume per unit of sales and building a reporting structure); (2) setting targets in accordance with changes in target management; and (3) collaboration with Aisin Seiki accompanying the strengthening of environmental consolidation.