Im Einklang mit der Natur leben

Was ist TNFD?

In June 2021, the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures  (TNFD) was established. This is an international organization that establishes a framework for private companies and financial institutions to appropriately assess and disclose risks and opportunities related to natural capital and biodiversity, including air, water, minerals, soil, plants and animals. The TNFD was conceived at the 2019 World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos as a follow-up framework to the Taskforce on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD). It aims to establish a disclosure framework for nature-related risks in order to transition to a“ nature-positive” society, where the flow of financial funds is directed toward halting and restoring the loss of natural ecosystems.

Our economic activities depend on benefits (ecosystem services) obtained from natural capital such as air, water, minerals, soil, plants and animals. For example, we obtain a variety of benefits from physically supplying water, metals, and other substances, from forests mitigating wind or flood damage, and from microorganisms cleaning water quality. To continue receiving such benefits, it is essential to maintain a balance between a variety of biological organisms (biodiversity). Therefore, understanding the relationship between business activities and the dependence and impact on natural capital, including biodiversity, and then reducing negative impacts on nature while increasing positive impacts is important from the perspective of corporate sustainability.
 Under the Shimadzu Group Sustainability Charter, our Group has identified“ Contributing to the Well-Being of the Earth,”including biodiversity, as a key material issue (materiality). From the perspective of this materiality, we assess, address, and disclose the impacts of natural capital on our business activities and impacts of our business activities on natural capital in accordance with the recommendations of the TNFD. In July 2024, we expressed our support for the TNFD recommendations and registered as a TNFD Adopter^*1. In FY2024, we conducted analysis and evaluation based on the LEAP approach, covering our entire value chain (upstream, direct operations, and downstream).

• *1 Organizations or companies that have declared their intention to disclose information in accordance with the TNFD recommendations.

Governance

The Shimadzu Group deliberates on nature-related risks and opportunities, as well as measures to resolve management issues, at the Environmental Meeting (chaired by the President and which meets twice a year), a subcommittee focused solely on environmental issues. Discussions are reported to and discussed by the Executive Committee, which oversees the execution of these deliberations.
The Corporate Code of Ethics, which serves as a behavioral guideline for employees, stipulates respect for individual human rights, and prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, gender, language, nationality, religion, physical disability, beliefs, or any other reason as one of its core principles. Based on this principle of respect for human rights, we also address any human rights risks identified in nature-related business activities, such as the procurement and use of resources, by taking actions that respect human rights.
In January 2025, we also established our Multi-Stakeholder Policy, to build trust-based relationships with our stakeholders, we actively engage in smooth, two-way communication with them regarding all aspects of our business activities. For details on our stakeholder engagement, please refer to the information below.

Risiko- und Wirkungsmanagement

Our Group conducted analysis and evaluation in accordance with the LEAP approach. Specifically, we carried out the identification of nature-related risks and opportunities across three levels-local operation, product/service, and corporate-based on materials published by the TNFD. In identifying risks and opportunities at the local operation level, we evaluated the dependencies and impacts on nature across each phase of the value chain-upstream, direct operations, and downstream-and assessed the resulting risks and opportunities. We organized and analyzed nature-related dependencies and impacts based on the results of ENCORE^*2 and the specific characteristics of our business operations.
For business activities with particularly high levels of dependency or impact, we identified high-priority regions for further analysis and response, assessed local dependencies and impacts in those areas, and then considered and formulated appropriate response measures. For risks and opportunities at the product/service and corporate levels, we estimate macro-environmental changes based on the scenarios proposed by the TNFD and use them to identify relevant risks and opportunities. The identified risks and opportunities were qualitatively assessed based on the potential magnitude of their
financial impact, and we considered and formulated appropriate response measures accordingly.
In addition, management of dependencies and impacts on nature-such as wastewater and waste management-is carried out at each site. The Global Environmental Management Department regularly leads the identification and assessment of nature-related risks and opportunities and examines appropriate response strategies. The Environmental Meeting discusses and reviews these assessment results, contributing to the company-wide risk management framework.

• *2 A tool that visualizes how the economy depends on and impacts nature, and how environmental changes can generate business risks.

Strategie

Abhängigkeit/Auswirkung

The heat map below visualizes the results of our analysis of the Shimadzu Group’s dependencies and impacts on nature. The impact-related heat map indicates that, in addition to the effects on nature from water pollution in our direct operations, significant impacts are also likely to result from land-use change and non-GHG air pollution occurring upstream in the value chain.

Direct Operations

As our direct operations are considered to have a potentially significant impact on water quality, we identified high-priority production sites for analysis and response based on factors such as ecosystem integrity, biodiversity significance, water stress, and volume of wastewater. We then investigated the current environmental impact status at those selected sites.
The results revealed that these sites regularly measure the concentration of wastewater and discharge it into sewage systems in accordance with voluntary standards that are more stringent than legal or regulatory requirements. Our business activities are built on relationships of trust with stakeholders, including local communities, and we regard building such trust as both a corporate responsibility and an essential element for enhancing corporate value. We will continue our efforts to reduce environmental impact, engage in two-way communication with stakeholders, and actively address social issues related to our business activities.

Upstream

In the upstream portion of the value chain, changes in land use and non-GHG air pollution from activities such as iron ore and bauxite mining and oil extraction are considered to have a relatively significant impact. To address this, we identified regions with a high priority for analysis and response by estimating environmental impacts based on EXIOBASE^*3 and other publicly available data, and conducted studies on the environmental and social implications in those areas. The studies confirmed that in some regions associated with iron ore mining, there are social concerns over significant environmental burdens, including land-use change and associated environmental impacts. In light of these risks, we have established internal rules requiring that all new products generate less life cycle environmental impact than their predecessors. In addition, while our Green Procurement Standards apply directly to suppliers, we also specify requirements such as the proactive use of recycled materials. We view these initiatives not only as measures to reduce environmental impact further upstream in the value chain, but also as mechanisms that function to mitigate such burdens. Furthermore, we are developing proprietary technologies that facilitate resource recycling, and we consider these technological innovations to contribute to reducing the environmental burden associated with resource extraction.

• *3 A model that integrates the Multi-Regional Environmentally Extended Supply-Use Table (MR-SUT) and Multi-Regional Input-Output Table (MR-IOT) to estimate environmental impacts based on industry and region.

Risks and Opportunities

Based on the results of our assessments of dependencies and impacts, regional analyses, and scenario analyses, the table on the right outlines the nature-related risks and opportunities considered to have a significant financial impact on our company. We are also actively eliminating or reducing the use of hazardous substances, and promoting the procurement of parts and materials with lower environmental impacts. These efforts are believed to help mitigate liability and reputational risks associated with negative impacts on nature, as well as avoid policy-related risks. We are also engaged in forest planting initiatives around our production facilities, and we believe such initiatives contribute to ecosystem conservation and, ultimately, to reducing physical risks by maintaining and enhancing ecosystem services.We provide environmental analyzers that support the monitoring of natural conditions and the impacts on nature caused by water pollution, soil contamination, air pollution, and other environmental factors.Specifically, this includes online total nitrogen and total phosphorus analyzers that can measure total nitrogen and phosphorus levels in effluent water, atomic absorption spectrophotometers that can analyze the metals in soil, gas chromatograph mass spectrometer systems and high-performance liquid chromatographs that can analyze PM2.5 particulates, and Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometer plastic analysis systems that can analyze microplastics. If stricter nature-related regulations or environmental impact reduction plans are required in the future, presumably it would increase demand for analytical instruments that are a key product of Shimadzu.
We will continue to monitor trends related to chemical substances that may become subject to future regulations, and collaborate with organizations such as NEDO (New Energy and Industrial Technology Developmen Organization) and the U.S. EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) to develop new　measurement methods, with the aim of creating nature-related opportunities.

Table: Nature-Related Risks Considered to Have a High Financial Impact on Business Activities

Table: Nature-Related Opportunities Considered to Have a High Financial Impact on Business Activities

Strategy for Addressing Nature-related Issues (Dependencies, Impacts, Risks, and Opportunities)

As part of our environmental management initiatives, we require, through internal regulations, that all new products have a lower environmental impact over their life cycle compared to conventional products. In addition, we certify and offer products with exceptional environmental performance under the Eco-Products Plus designation. As part of our environmental management initiatives, we also promote the“ Shimadzu Forest Planting Project.” In February 2025, the Shimadzu Forest located at our Sanjo Works was certified by the Ministry of the Environment as a Nationally Certified Sustainably Managed Natural Site. These activities not only contribute to nature conservation, but are also expected to help mitigate flood risks in surrounding areas by enhancing the soil’s water retention capacity. Under our medium-term management plan for FY2023 through FY2025, we have set forth our aim o‘f contributing to the “Well-being of the Earth” through analytical and measuring technologies and production process control technologies’ as a means of creating social value.

Advancing Nature Positive through the Power of Science

Nature Positive is a new global goal that not only aims to halt the loss of natural environments, but also to restore biodiversity and increase natural capital. Shimadzu supports scientifically grounded ecosystem conservation through its analytical and measuring technologies, contributing to the realization of a sustainable society.

High-Performance Liquid Chromatograph Mass Spectrometer System（LC-MS）

It enables high-sensitivity detection of trace environmental contaminants, including per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). 
It evaluates trace levels of pesticides, heavy metals, pharmaceuticals, and other contaminants in the environment, contributing to ecosystem impact assessments and effective risk management.

Gas Chromatograph (GC)

It analyzes volatile organic compounds (VOCs) to assess air quality in natural environments such as forests and wetlands. This enables a scientific understanding of the health of habitats for living organisms. 

ICP Mass Spectrometry System (ICP-MS)

It performs elemental analysis of soil and plants to evaluate soil nutrient levels and the presence of heavy metal contamination. This information is used to assess vegetation health and measure the effectiveness of restoration efforts. 

Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrophotometer (FTIR)

It identifies microplastics to understand the extent of microplastic pollution in rivers and oceans. It also enables quantitative assessment of their impact on ecosystems.

Featured in the Ministry of the Environment’s “Good Practices for Reducing Microplastics” collection
MAP-100: Microplastic Automatic Preparation Device

Shimadzu’s Microplastic Automatic Preparation Device (product name: MAP-100), which automatically collects microplastics from environmental water samples, was featured in the“ Good Practices for Reducing Microplastics” publication issued by Japan’s Ministry of the Environment.
This publication compiles initiatives and technologies from Japanese companies that contribute to the prevention of microplastic generation, prevention of discharge, development of alternatives, recovery, and public awareness. In FY2024, 19 companies were selected for inclusion.

Microplastic Automatic
Preparation Device "MAP-100"

Launched in 2023, the MAP-100 is the world’s first dedicated preparation system that automates the extraction and recovery of microplastics from environmental water sources such as oceans, rivers, and lakes. Prior to analysis by instruments, it is essential to remove impurities and substances adhering to the surface of the samples, and by automating this previously manual preparation process, it improves operational efficiency, reproducibility, and safety, making it widely used by research institutions involved in environmental water monitoring.
We will continue contributing to the well-being of the Earth by providing technologies and products that support research on microplastics.

Messindex und Ziel

Shimadzu quantitatively determines the concentration of pollutants in effluent water, the quantity of water used, the quantity of hazardous and nonhazardous waste substances discharged, the recycle rates, and other values as nature-related index values. In particular, effluent water is monitored continuously so that corrective measures can be implemented quickly if any of the index values exceed voluntary control standards that are stricter than required by laws or regulations. 
Thus, Shimadzu is committed to precisely determining and mitigating any impacts of water pollution.
For more details on our environmental impact data, please refer to the information below.
https://www.shimadzu.com/sustainability/environmental/data.html

In addition, our medium-term target for water usage is to reduce the water consumption per unit of consolidated net sales by 5% compared to FY2020 levels by FY2030. In FY2024, we achieved an improvement of 0.8%. Aiming for sustainable resource use, we have set a target of maintaining a recycling rate of 99.6% or higher at our domestic manufacturing and development sites. In FY2024, we achieved a recycling rate of 99.62%, meeting our target. Furthermore, we aim to adopt sustainable materials in a total of more than 10 product applications by FY2025. In FY2024, we adopted three new cases, bringing the cumulative total to six. Going forward, we will continue to develop targets and conduct monitoring based on the TNFD recommendations.