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CARBON MINUS: GOING EVEN FURTHER TO REDUCE CO2 EMISSIONSIn 2009, Konica Minolta initiated a long-term environmental vision, Eco Vision 2050, which guides us in our responsibilities as a global corporation. In the years since, we have exceeded our initial CO2 reduction goals by stretching the purview of the product lifecycle to include activities beyond our business group. This year we have further expanded our environmental vision into New Eco Vision 2050, which adds the goal of “carbon minus.” This is to say, we have taken the approach that CO2 emissions reduction concerns everyone on earth, and thus we should share our knowledge and, where needed, coach other companies and communities in ways to lower the burden on the environment. Through the exchange of critical information, Konica Minolta is striving to spread awareness that CO2 reduction is a goal to be achieved by society. This approach promises change on a dimension far greater than any single company could achieve.At Konica Minolta, we have turned our attention toward digital manufacturing, which holds an extraordinary promise for the future. The integration of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and automation technology in the manufacturing process leads to advances in efficiency as well as quality. Many of the efficiency gains directly contribute to CO2 emissions reduction. Moreover, digital manufacturing improves our ability to compile, analyze and share data. Now we have a plan to build a comprehensive database of environmental know-how gleaned from work occurring at actual production sites. Our intention is to compile the very latest information and make it available to be shared with all. By creating an “open source” system and encouraging cooperation, we are hopeful that this database will become an essential repository of knowledge for environmental protection and safety.SHARING OUR KNOW-HOW AND ASSUMING A LEADERSHIP ROLEAchieving the SDG agenda demands unified action and global cooperation to share know-how and information. Konica Minolta is ranked highly in Socially Responsible Investment (SRI) indices, confirming our commitment not only to environmental matters, but also in areas of corporate governance, such as quality management, competitive IT strategy development, and health and productivity management. By offering to share our data and know-how with others outside our company, we are discovering that the ripple effect will not only benefit the environment, but will also have a positive influence on our business. As we focus on the SDGs, it is critical to involve the various stakeholders in our business as well as other companies. We have, therefore, begun to exchange more information on CSR with investors and analysts to gain their cooperation on social issues. This effort has already begun to generate positive results.Aiming to assume a leadership role in achieving the SDGs in the environmental field, Konica Minolta will continue to promote cooperation, approaching other corporations and academic institutions with plans to coordinate and nurture worldwide activities. ■058 SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS