SUSTAINABILITY CATEGORY ARCHIVE

• Kayrros develops and provides service that can measure and monitor methane emissions of oil and gas businesses by analyzing satellite imagery and detect such emissions at the source level
• Data is used for reduction measures by emitters and decision-making by investors engaged in ESG investment

• A venture capital specializing in long-term investments for startups in the climate tech (technology focusing on addressing impacts of global warming) sector
• Aims to contribute to decarbonization through supporting the launch and growth of businesses pursuing technology which can take years to realize, including technology for nuclear fusion and battery materials

• Provides the umbrella sharing service “Aikasa.” Users can use the Aikasa app to borrow and return shared umbrellas at locations nationwide
• Contributes to reducing CO₂ emissions, preserving resources, and combatting waste and marine plastic pollution with a business model designed to cut down the use of disposable plastic umbrellas

• Develops a plastic alternative LIMEX, an innovative new material mainly made from limestone that can be found in various regions around the world, including Japan
• TBM not only reduces GHG emissions, particularly with its material LIMEX, aims to realize a biodegradability capable of addressing marine plastic pollution

• Financing services for businesses in Africa that are unable to secure vehicle purchase loans due to a lack of credit
• Utilizes a unique scoring model based on mobile payment usage history and sales data.
• Since July 2022, focuses on e-bike financing to reduce CO2 emissions

• Provides an ophthalmic medical device (Smart Eye Camera) that can be attached to a smartphone.
• With the device, ophthalmic diseases can be diagnosed using AI or remote medical examination
• Contributes to SDGs (Goal3: Good Health and Well-being) by facilitating the early detection of blindness among patients on remote islands or in developing countries where access to medical facilities is not readily available.

• Service utilizing satellite data analysis to evaluate forest conservation projects (with criteria such as CO2 absorption, etc.) for carbon credit customers.
• Encourages fund flow to high-quality carbon credit generation projects.

• Launched the “Carbon Neutral Equity Fund” as a new form of investment that aims to achieve zero carbon emissions.
• ESG investment opportunities to realize a carbon-free society and aims to achieve zero carbon as an investment trust; and established a system to build assets by supporting tree-planting activities, and nurture forests.

• Developed a mechanism for producers across Japan and chefs in Tokyo to be evaluated by investors and consumers through the sale of digital memberships utilizing blockchain technology based on the concept of “Agriculture” x “Food” x “FinTech”; and provided an influx of funds to agriculture and a new financing method for restaurants (implemented in collaboration with Nomura Agri Planning & Advisory Co., Ltd. and Nomura Farm Hokkaido Co., Ltd. in the Nomura Group, and BOOSTRY Co., Ltd.)
• Ensure sustainable food production and consumption patterns through the use of off-spec vegetables in the producing areas, the use of chefs’ knowledge, and the improvement of food literacy among consumers.

• Developed Neev Fund, a private equity fund focusing on investments in SMEs in India that seek solutions to climate change and environmental issues.
• Balances investment returns while focusing on ESG and impact on climate change solutions with support and investment from global investors such as the European Investment Bank (EIB), the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) of Government of UK, and the State Bank of India (SBI) Group, as well as JICA

Contributing to ESG bond promotion in the domestic market

・ In the green bond market, the company gained the largest market share of more than 25% as well as the largest number of Green Bond Structuring Agent* in the country.

・ The company contributed to the market development from the founding period of the domestic ESG bond market as a pioneer.

* It is one who supports the issuance of green bonds through the establishment of a Green Bond framework and others.

Implementation of impact investments through the establishment of childcare and nursing care support funds

・ The company established the impact investment* fund which is the first-in-kind for Japanese bank groups as a solution to social challenges.

・ Focusing on social challenges that Tokyo residents are familiar and sympathize, the company aims to achieve both economic returns and social returns through the fund.

* Investments aiming to achieve both economic and social returns

Development of “Index for reducing greenhouse gases”

・ GPIF adopted the index of Japanese and foreign stocks for reducing greenhouse gases as an environmental stock index, and started managing funds on a scale of approximately 1.2 trillion yen.

・ The company encouraged portfolio companies to improve carbon efficiency and to raise awareness of environmental issues through engagement and other measures.

• Has been achieving results in ESG investment for nearly 80 years
• Proactively engages with private companies that are often difficult to engage with ESG, through the operation of equities and bonds
• Committed to spreading ESG and improving its transparency, including adherence to Principles for Responsible Investment(PRI) and collaboration with the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board in the US

• Robeco's sister company RobecoSAM conducts an annual ESG analysis of over 4,600 companies globally, and together with S&P Dow Jones Indices, publishes the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices as one of the globally recognized sustainability benchmarks.
• Robeco's Active Ownership team closely collaborates with Investment teams as well as RobecoSAM's Research team to work on voting and engagement activities.

• Provides unique ESG-related insurance, such as "Weather Index Insurance" for Southeast Asia and "Disaster Prevention / Disaster Cost Insurance" for local governments in Japan
• Contributes to the spread of ESG investment through activities such as participation in international conferences on climate change, the environment, etc.

• Has achieved engagement with 90% of companies listed in the First Section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange in market capitalization
• Engagement focuses on marine pollution and plastics issues, and also offer biodiversity fund products