Eco-Mind & Global Environmental Management

Emission Neutral

Hitachi's ' emission neutral' concept was developed to promote monozukuri (manufacturing) that reduces the environmental impact of products during their lifecycle. We intend to be emission neutral by fiscal 2015. Emission neutral means balancing the direct environmental impact with suppression of the indirect impact. Here, direct environmental impact covers material production, manufacturing and distribution, while indirect impact covers using finished products after they are sold (product use).
In fiscal 2007, we introduced systems for analyzing and evaluating our progress toward becoming emission neutral.

The 'Emission Neutral' Philosophy

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Environmental Management System

The Hitachi Group has developed an environmental management system (EMS) for 1,082 Group companies that assesses and sets environmental policies and strategies. As well, it ensures that this information is disseminated and put into action.
Known as the Hitachi Group Environmental Promotion Mechanism, this EMS obtained ISO 14001 certification in September 2006. It both promotes the plan-do-check-act (PDCA) cycle of Hitachi's environmental activities and uses the combined strengths of the Group to reach environmental goals. The EMS is centered on Hitachi's R&D group, the six business groups, and the environmental operations units in the 17 main Hitachi Group companies.
To strengthen environmental management, by 2010, we will develop an integrated EMS for each business group and Group company. In fiscal 2007, Hitachi Global Storage Technologies received worldwide integrated ISO 14001 certification for its 10 locations (two domestic, eight overseas) across seven countries—marking the completion of integrated certification by seven of Hitachi's business groups and Group companies.

Hitachi Group EMS Integration Philosophy

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GREEN 21 Evaluation System Activities

To ensure ongoing improvements and to raise the level of environmental activities, we numerically quantify evaluations on 56 items in eight categories, assessing the degree to which that year's goals have been achieved. The results are made into radar charts for each business group and Group company for management decision making. GREEN 21 assessment results are used to evaluate each group's business performance and as an incentive to raise the level of environmental activities.
While the green procurement category scored poorly in 2006, a better score was achieved in fiscal 2007 thanks to green procurement liaison meetings to increase understanding of procurement operations.

Green Point Average: Results and Targets

Categories and Evaluation Items

1. Action plan, environmental accounting, risk management
2. Employee training and education
3. Ecodesign management system, Eco-Products, control of hazardous substances contained in products
4. Green procurement, green purchasing
5. Business and product strategy, sustainable business, publicity
6. Energy saving at production facilities, environmentally responsible distribution
7. Waste reduction, chemical substance management
8. Information disclosure, communication activities, global citizen activities

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