Conservation of Biodiversity

Our Concept and Policy of Conservation of Biodiversity

The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, the new world targets for biodiversity, was adopted at the United Nations Biodiversity Conference of the Parties (COP15) to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity held in December 2022. Companies are required to make further efforts to reach these targets.
As a company whose business activities both benefit from ecosystem services and impact ecosystems, SII recognizes biodiversity conservation as a critical aspect of environmental management. In April 2011, we established the Biodiversity Action Agenda and began implementing targeted initiatives. Our Environmental Policy affirms that "We are also working to preserve biodiversity, recognizing that our business activities inevitably affect surrounding ecosystems, and that we also benefit from the health and diversity of those systems."
We believe that conserving biodiversity requires more than just increasing greenery; it demands an integrated approach that addresses climate change, resource recycling, and collaboration with various stakeholders. SII’s units are advancing biodiversity activities that align with the unique characteristics of their sites. These efforts include biodiversity-conscious land use, planting initiatives, and stakeholder collaboration, all aimed at realizing a "society in harmony with nature."

Biodiversity Action Agenda (Established in April 2011)

[Basic Concepts]

Recognizing that SII Group's business activities benefit from ecosystem services and make an impact on biodiversity, we will make every effort to preserve biodiversity.

[Key Measures]

  • Foster better understanding of an impact on biodiversity through business activities.
  • Analyze and evaluate the impact on biodiversity caused by products and services during their life cycles, and endeavor to reduce their impact.
  • Promote social action programs that contribute to local biodiversity conservation.

FY2023 Summary

SII’s goal is to contribute to the realization of a society in harmony with nature—a place of business in harmony with living things. SII works hard from the point of views of attention to biodiversity at the plant grounds, attention to biodiversity with products, and coordination with stakeholders.

In FY2023 as well, SII worked hard on considerations for biodiversity at the plant grounds based on the SII Group Land-use Guidelines on the Conservation of Biodiversity. SII made progress with the visualization and understanding of biodiversity, for example, by surveying the creatures living on the grounds and sharing these survey results in-house. SII continually worked on product considerations based on the green product system. For the coordination with stakeholders as well, SII also worked hard to nurture Japanese white pine.

 

Assessment of Land Use

In June 2020, the Ohno Unit discovered an endangered* species of golden orchid on its premises. Since then, a protected area has been set up to carefully watch over the species. The Ohno Unit is in Ichikawa City, Chiba Prefecture, near the center of the city, and the area around the unit is surrounded by houses. We are very happy that the golden orchid was discovered in such an environment. In the spring of 2024, as in previous years, the blossoms returned. We will continue to carefully watch over them.

Protecting Endangered Species

In June 2020, the Ohno Unit discovered an endangered* species of golden orchid on its premises. Since then, a protected area has been set up to carefully watch over the species. The Ohno Unit is in Ichikawa City, Chiba Prefecture, near the center of the city, and the area around the unit is surrounded by houses. We are very happy that the golden orchid was discovered in such an environment. Every year, we are able to see the flowering plants and in the spring of 2023, we were able to see 17 plants. We will continue to carefully watch over them.

ohno_kinran2024
Golden Orchid in Full Bloom

* Ministry of the Environment’s Endangered Species II

Greening Activities

SII Crystal Technology Inc. has been actively enhancing the greenery on its premises through employee involvement. In fiscal 2023, they carried out the planting of moss phlox seedlings, with over 30 employees participating in each planting session. These events have also fostered stronger communication among employees.

sct_2024
Planting moss phlox seedlings

We are also advancing the greening of factory grounds at our international sites. Dalian Seiko Instruments Inc. in China is committed to continuous greening efforts, avoiding the use of pesticides and herbicides in the maintenance of green areas. Instead, dead branches and fallen leaves are composted and recycled on-site.
Similarly, Seiko Instruments (Thailand) Ltd. undertook large-scale tree planting at its two factories in 2022 and is now carefully monitoring the growth of these trees.

dsi_2024
Green space at Dalian Seiko Instruments Inc.

Wildlife monitoring and educational activities

As part of our efforts to provide habitats for wildlife, we have installed birdhouses and bird baths at each of SII's sites. In addition, we conduct a wildlife survey using sensor cameras and other equipment to deepen understanding of the living creatures that inhabit the premises of our business sites, and use the survey results to educate our employees.
The Takatsuka unit in Matsudo City, Chiba Prefecture, has been conducting an ongoing wildlife survey using sensor cameras since FY2021. The pond on the premises has also become a habitat for grey herons and ducks.

 

takatsuka_2024
Ducks visiting the pond

At the Sendai plant, sensor cameras were installed to conduct wildlife monitoring. Monitoring videos are shown at the entrance of the staff cafeteria as a way to educate employees.

Our Products and Biodiversity

Assessment of Biodiversity Conservation

Our Biodiversity Action Agenda says that SII analyzes and evaluates how products and services impact biodiversity during their life cycles and endeavors to reduce their impact. As part of these efforts, we started a trial evaluation of impacts on biodiversity by using LIME2* from 2012.

 

* LIME 2: Second Edition of the Life Cycle Impact Assessment Method based on Endpoint Modeling developed by the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology

Addition to Green Product System

In FY 2016, “consideration for biodiversity” was added to the environmental compatibility factors for Green Product Standards (Current Green Products Certification System of Seiko Holdings Corporation). We will continue to do our utmost to enhance our consideration of biodiversity in product manufacturing.

Cooperation with Stakeholders

In order to conserve biodiversity, it is important not only for companies to make independent efforts, but also to cooperate and collaborate with various stakeholders, including local communities, local governments, and NPOs.
The SII units located in Chiba prefecture* have been registered as Supporters for Conserving the Strain of Japanese White Pine (Pinus Parviflora) under Chiba prefecture's Japanese white pine restoration project since February 2016 and have been cultivating the Japanese white pines, which are designated as an endangered species. By reporting the growth conditions of these trees to the Chiba prefectural government every October and growing seedlings, as well as deepening understanding about the Japanese white pine, SII is also helping to preserve its genetic stock.
Previously, Japanese white pines were cultivated at the Makuhari Unit (Chiba City), the Takatsuka Unit (Matsudo City), and the Ohno Unit (Ichikawa City). In March 2024, the trees from the Makuhari Unit were relocated to the Takatsuka Unit, where their growth will continue to be monitored.

makuhari_2024
Japanese White Pines Relocated from the Makuhari Unit to the Takatsuka Unit

[Case Study in FY 2022]

In April 2011, SII formulated the Biodiversity Action Agenda and started biodiversity conservation activities. Subsequently in February 2016, we published the SII Group Land-use Guidelines on the Conservation of Biodiversity, and have been continually implementing activities to use green spaces at our sites and contribute to local biodiversity conservation based on the guidelines. In FY 2022, each site developed a variety of initiatives that take advantage of the characteristics of the sites.

Protecting Endangered Species

In June 2020, the Ohno Unit discovered an endangered* species of golden orchid on its premises. Since then, a protected area has been set up to carefully watch over the species. The Ohno Unit is in Ichikawa City, Chiba Prefecture, near the center of the city, and the area around the unit is surrounded by houses. We are very happy that the golden orchid was discovered in such an environment. Every year, we are able to see the flowering plants and in the spring of 2023, we were able to see 17 plants. We will continue to carefully watch over them.

Golden Orchid in Full Bloom
Golden Orchid in Full Bloom

*　Ministry of the Environment’s Endangered Species II

Greening Activities and Flower Bedding

SAt the two factories of Seiko Instruments (Thailand) Ltd., a total of 320 trees were planted as part of greening activities for the factory grounds. The employees themselves planted five types of seedlings, with an emphasis on dalbergia cochinchinensis. SII will watch the growth of the trees attentively as it promotes greening in the future. Furthermore, these activities are intended to contribute to a reduction in greenhouse gases through the CO2 absorption of the trees.

Tree planting
Tree planting

Dalian Seiko Instruments Inc. (DSI) in China is also promoting continuous greening, and in FY 2022, a total of 12 trees were planted with the aim of creating multiple layers of greenery. DSI has been continuously working to create green areas that take biodiversity into consideration. The use of pesticides and herbicides is avoided in the maintenance of green areas, and dead branches and fallen leaves are composted and recycled on the premises.

Newly planted trees
Newly planted trees

Under the slogan of “year-round, flower-filled workplace,” employees at the Makuhari Unit are working to create flowerbeds. During FY 2022, they successfully planted flowerbeds twice, once in the summer and once in the winter.

Flower beds and employee volunteers
Flower beds and employee volunteers

Monitoring of living creatures and educational activities

As part of our efforts to provide habitats for living creatures, we have installed birdhouses and bird baths at each of SII's sites. In addition, we conduct a wildlife survey using sensor cameras and other equipment to deepen understanding of the living creatures that inhabit the premises of our business sites, and use the survey results to educate our employees.

At the Sendai plant, sensor cameras were installed to monitor living creatures. Monitoring videos are shown at the entrance of the staff cafeteria as a way to educate employees.

 

Monitoring video
Monitoring video

[Case Study in FY 2021]

SIIでは2011年4月に生物多様性行動指針を策定し、生物多様性保全活動を開始しました。その後、2016年2月には「SIIグループ生物多様性土地利用ガイドライン」を発行し、ガイドラインに基づいた事業所緑地の利用や、地域の生物多様性保全への貢献活動を継続的に実施しています。2021年度も各事業所では事業所の特徴をいかしたさまざまな取り組みを展開しました。

■絶滅危惧種の保護

大野事業所は、2020年6月に敷地内にて絶滅危惧種※であるキンランを発見しました。その後は保護エリアを設定し大切に見守っています。2022年は前年度より多くの株が発見でき、開花した姿も確認できました。大野事業所は都心に近い千葉県市川市に立地し、事業所周辺は住宅に囲まれている環境ですが、そんな中でキンランが生息していることは大変喜ばしいことであり今後も見守っていきます。

開花した状態のキンラン
開花した状態のキンラン

※　環境省・絶滅危惧Ⅱ類

■緑化活動・花壇づくり

エスアイアイ・クリスタルテクノロジー（株）では、社員の手による敷地の緑化を推進しています。2021年度は春季と秋季に芝桜の苗植えを実施しました。苗植えには毎回30名以上の社員が参加し、社員同士のコミュニケーションにもつながっています。

苗植え
苗植え

中国の大連精工電子有限公司でも継続的な緑化を進めています。2021年度は新たに2ヶ所の緑化エリアを設けアカシア、レンギョウ、ライラックなどを植栽しました。大連精工電子有限公司ではこれまでも継続的に生物多様性に配慮した緑地づくりに取り組んできました。緑地の維持管理では殺虫剤や除草剤の使用は控え、枯れ枝や落ち葉などは堆肥化することにより敷地内で循環しています。

緑化エリア
緑化エリア

幕張事業所では「通年で花いっぱい咲き乱れる事業所」をスローガンに掲げ、社員による花壇づくりに取り組んでいます。また、千葉県花き（花卉）振興地域協議会が主催する、花きイノベーション推進事業「幕張新都心地区における花壇づくりコンテスト」に2017年より毎年参加し、2021年度は「奨励賞」を受賞しました。

幕張事業所の花壇
幕張事業所の花壇

■いきものの生息場所の提供・調査

SIIの各事業所では、いきものの生息場所の提供の一環として巣箱やバードバスなどを設置しています。また、センサーカメラ等を利用した「いきもの調査」も実施し、事業所敷地内に生息しているいきものについて理解を深めるとともに、調査結果は社員への啓発活動に活用しています。

高塚事業所（千葉県松戸市）では2021年度よりセンサーカメラを利用したいきもの調査を開始し、ムクドリ、キジバト、バードバスを利用するオナガなどが確認できました。また、敷地内の池にはアオサギが飛来しました。

池に飛来したアオサギ
池に飛来したアオサギ

仙台事業所では既存のバードバスの設置環境を改善しました。設置後に利用された形跡がないことから、新たな場所に木材や草木を利用した空間をつくり、いきものが安心して利用できる環境にしました。近くに設置したセンサーカメラで、リスが利用している姿が確認できました。

バードバスを利用するリス
バードバスを利用するリス

[Case Study in FY 2020]

SIIでは2011年4月に生物多様性行動指針を策定し、生物多様性保全活動を開始しました。その後、2016年2月には「SIIグループ生物多様性土地利用ガイドライン」を発行し、ガイドラインに基づいた事業所緑地の利用や、地域の生物多様性保全への貢献活動を継続的に実施しています。2020年度も各事業所では事業所の特徴をいかしたさまざまな取り組みを展開しました。

■バードバスの設置

仙台事業所では、2020年度の活動の一環でバードバスを設置しました。仙台事業所ではこれまでもセンサーカメラを利用したいきもの調査を実施し、キジ、リス、キツネ、タヌキなどのいきものが生息していることを確認しています。今回はこれまでの活動を拡大したものです。残念ながら、まだバードバスの利用実績は確認されていませんが、今後も見守っていきます。

バードバス
バードバス

■巣箱とセンサーカメラの設置

秋田事業所では、巣箱とセンサーカメラを設置し、いきもの調査を行いました。その結果、タヌキやウサギなどの生息が確認できました。一方で巣箱の利用は確認できなかったため、最適な設置場所を引き続き検討していきます。

■絶滅危惧種の保護

大野事業所では、2020年6月に実施したいきもの調査にて、敷地の一角に絶滅危惧種（環境省・絶滅危惧Ⅱ類）であるキンラン14株を発見しました。発見当時は開花時期は過ぎていましたが、2021年4月には8株の開花した姿を確認できました。大野事業所は都心に近い千葉県市川市に立地し、事業所周辺は住宅に囲まれている環境ですが、そんな中でキンランが発見されたことは大変喜ばしいことであり今後も見守っていきます。
また、大野事業所は市川市の「生物多様性モニタリング調査員」に登録し、事業所内でいきものを発見した際には「いちかわ生きものマップ」への投稿を行っています。

開花した状態のキンラン
開花した状態のキンラン

■緑化活動

エスアイアイ・クリスタルテクノロジー（株）では、2021年3月と4月の2回にわたり敷地内に芝桜の苗植えを実施しました。毎回約30名の社員が参加し、構内の花壇などにピンク200株、白50株の計250株の苗を植えました。4月の苗植えの際は、緑地の草刈りなどの緑地整備も同時に行いました。慣れない作業の連続でしたが、晴天にも恵まれ社員自らの手で気持ちよく緑化活動ができました。

苗植えの様子と芝桜
苗植えの様子と芝桜
草刈り中
草刈り中

■階層構造の緑地づくり

中国の大連精工電子有限公司でも、ガイドラインに基づき生物多様性エリアを設けて緑化を進めています。緑の階層構造も形成され、豊かな緑地に飛来する鳥はスズメやカササギ など種類も数も増えてきました。緑地の維持管理でも生物多様性に配慮し、殺虫剤や除草剤の使用は控え、枯れ枝や落ち葉などは堆肥化することで敷地内で循環しています。今後も生物多様性に配慮した緑地づくりに継続して取り組んでいきます。

階層構造の緑
階層構造の緑

■花壇づくり

幕張事業所では「通年で花いっぱい咲き乱れる事業所」をスローガンに掲げ、社員による花壇づくりに取り組んでいます。また、2017年より千葉県花き（花卉）振興地域協議会が主催する、花きイノベーション推進事業「幕張新都心地区における花壇づくりコンテスト」に毎年参加し、2020年度は「奨励賞」を受賞しました。

幕張事業所の花壇
幕張事業所の花壇