Environmental management

In our more complex operations, we align our approach to environmental management with the internationally recognized standards ISO 14001 and ISO 50001.* In our smaller and less complex operations in Japan, we have implemented our own ‘JT Green System’, which promotes a simple and consistent approach.

ISO 14001 encourages businesses to think more broadly about environmental issues – not only those associated with their direct operations, but throughout their entire value chains. ISO 50001 provides a framework for our energy management system and helps us to continually improve our energy performance.

We are also working to streamline and better integrate our environmental and energy management systems with other business considerations, such as quality, occupational health and safety, and business continuity.

To objectively review our approach to environmental management and our overall performance, we use external disclosures and ratings agencies, such as CDP and the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices (DJSI).

ISO 14001 certification

We use ISO 14001 as the framework for our environmental management systems to manage significant environmental aspects, mitigate risks, and optimize opportunities. We track the proportion of our cigarette and tobacco-related factories that are certified to ISO 14001. Data for the current and past certification of our factories can be found here.

*ISO 14001 and ISO 50001 are the internationally recognized standards for environmental management systems and energy management systems, respectively. These standards do not prescribe absolute performance requirements. Rather, they provide us with a framework to help build effective management systems that deliver continual improvement in environmental and energy performance.

CDP A List and Supplier Engagement Leader

In 2021, we achieved a place on CDP's prestigious ‘A List’ for tackling climate change as well as acting to safeguarding water security for the third consecutive year. In addition, CDP recognized us as a global leader in engaging our supply chain in addressing climate change. This marks our third recognition for CDP Supplier Engagement Leader.

You can find submissions here: CDP Climate 2022, CDP Water 2022.

A greener approach to procurement

Green procurement is critical to improving environmental performance. We have established a Sustainable Procurement Department. The purpose of this department is to lead sustainability related initiatives, mainly for packaging and other relevant categories, support sustainability activities to achieve the JT Group Sustainability targets, and engage with suppliers on sustainability topics through close collaboration.

In our Japanese operations, we have green procurement guidelines to ensure that the products and services we purchase cause minimal environmental impact. These guidelines include lists of green products and services, such as stationery, computers, and transportation services. We review and update the guidelines periodically, based on the availability of new products and services, and monitor how many of the listed products and services we purchase.

Our green procurement approach is not only about purchasing goods and services. We also encourage and work with our suppliers to improve their overall environmental management and performance. Energy efficiency is one of the key criteria for the purchase of goods and services in our Global Supply Chain division. In 2021, we launched the Green Mobility Program in our Tobacco Business. The purpose of the program is to help decarbonize our fleet and reduce emissions associated with work-related and private travel. The program is supported by our Green Mobility Handbook and communications campaigns across the business.

Building environmental awareness and expertise

Across the Company, we strongly believe in the importance of raising awareness of environmental issues among all employees. To do this, we run training and awareness campaigns every year, and we regularly publish articles and updates on our Company intranet.

To improve the environmental performance of our operations, we have appointed personnel responsible for environmental management at each of our business sites. These employees are trained in environmental management systems and the relevant regulatory requirements. We also offer a more advanced course for staff who are responsible for internal auditing and reporting environmental data.

In addition, our internal auditors go through a certification process to ensure that we apply a consistent approach across the JT Group.

As a further step to raise awareness of environmental issues and our sustainability initiatives, we hold regular ‘Sustainability Days’. One of the focus areas is the environment: there are always many activities and events at a global and local level, including information sessions on emissions, resources, and waste.