Biodiversity
Basic Approach
At our Shiga Works, each and every employee has developed an awareness of coexistence with the natural environment through working in an environment surrounded by abundant greenery. The Yui Project, a biodiversity preservation program launched in 2014, aims to create three bonds (yui) that connect “water and greenery, nature and people, and people and people” so that the vast natural environment on the 1.2 million square meter site of the Shiga Works can be preserved; and, to this end, we are working to protect the rare species that have been identified on the site.
In the Daifuku Environmental Vision 2050, revised in 2023, coexisting with nature is established as one of our critical issue areas, and we are working to minimize any negative impacts our business activities may have on natural capital. In order to promote sustainable use of ecosystem services and conserve biodiversity, we will continue to enhance our activities on a global scale.
Major Initiatives
The relationship between Daifuku and biodiversity
In order to clarify the relationship between business activities and ecosystems, Daifuku has mapped the interaction of product processes, land use, and other ecosystem aspects. Based on this map, Daifuku notes the impact on ecosystems by the land use at the Shiga Works, which is endowed with nature, and is conducting business activities that take biodiversity into account.
Conservation activities at Shiga Works
In terms of site area, Shiga Works is one of the largest in Shiga Prefecture. A survey of ecosystems within Shiga Works confirmed more than 1,000 native species as well as over 70 species of wildlife listed in the Japanese Red List (compiled and maintained by the Ministry of the Environment) and the Shiga Prefecture Red Data Book. In order to preserve this precious natural environment for future generations, we are pursuing various conservation initiatives through the Yui Project*, which promotes communication both within and outside the company.
- *Yui means “to bring together," and the project is a compilation of various activities that bring together water with greenery, people with nature, and people to people.
Results of ecosystems survey (endangered species)
Listed below are the species of wildlife that inhabit or grow within the Shiga Works premises and are classified as endangered in the Japanese Red List 2020.
- Japanese Red List 2020
- Threatened - Vulnerable (VU): Species with a high risk of extinction in the wild.
Near Threatened (NT): Species that do not qualify as threatened at present but may be vulnerable to endangerment in the near future.
(As of April 2023)
| Category | Classification | Species | Number of species |
|---|---|---|---|
| Threatened - Vulnerable (VU) | Birds | Peregrine falcon | 1 |
| Amphibians | Clouded salamander, Yamato salamander | 2 | |
| Insects | Polyrhachis lamellidens (spiny ant) | 1 | |
| Plants | Golden orchid, Chinese bellflower | 2 | |
| Near Threatened (NT) | Birds | Greater white-fronted goose, crested honey buzzard, Eurasian sparrowhawk, northern goshawk | 4 |
| Reptiles | Japanese pond turtle | 1 | |
| Amphibians | Black-spotted pond frog | 1 | |
| Insects | Aeschnophlebia anisoptera (dragonfly), asiagomphus pryeri (dragonfly), trigomphus interruptus (dragonfly), trigomphus ogumai (dragonfly), xenocorixa vittipennis (water boatman), catocala actaea (moth), helochares striatus (water beetle), laccobius inopinus (water beetle), bombus ignitus (bumblebee) | 9 | |
| Plants | Agrostis valvata, yellow bladderwort | 2 | |
| Total | 23 | ||
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Peregrine falcon
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Yamato salamander
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Japanese pond turtle
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Trigomphus ogumai
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Golden orchid
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Black-spotted pond frog
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Polyrhachis lamellidens
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Yellow bladderwort
Yui no Mori
As part of a biodiversity preservation activity called the Yui Project, which started at Shiga Works in 2014, we set up the Yui no Mori (Mori = forest; comprised of a conservation pond, learning square, etc.). We engaged in biodiversity conservation activities for a region-specific red pine forest, the rare Yamato salamanders and other species. The project also serves as a learning environment inside and outside the company. In fiscal 2021, we removed withered pine trees and laid woodchips along the Yui no Mori forest roadside.
Breeding of Yamato salamanders in conservation ponds (artificial ponds)
Conservation pond
Salamander eggs in the conservation pond
Adult Yamato salamander
We are working to preserve the endangered Yamato salamander. To ensure a stable habitat, a conservation pond was constructed in 2014, and we have been to relocating larvae and eggs that inhabit the Shiga Works premises since. In fiscal 2021, we confirmed the first spawning and hatching to have occurred in the conservation pond, and we have verified that this happened again in fiscal 2022. Furthermore, since the redevelopment of Shiga Works could lead to a reduced habitat for the Yamato salamander, in fiscal 2023 we created a new habitat in addition to the conservation pond and released larvae into it.
Creating opportunities for interacting with nature
At the Shiga Works, we hold nature observation events with experts, so that employees have opportunities to interact with the many plants and animals that inhabit the surrounding area, as well as Christmas wreath-making and moss ball making events using natural materials at the Works. These events were cancelled in fiscal 2021 to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Initiatives outside the Company
Participating in the Shiga Green-activity Network’s biodiversity and CSR research association
Daifuku is a founding member of a research association established in 2015 that looks into biodiversity, the environment and CSR. The association, which was formed as part of the Shiga Green-activity Network, of which Daifuku is also a member, plans and holds seminars and other events for members intended to facilitate learning about biodiversity, create opportunities to learn about the latest CSR trends centered on the field of biodiversity, and encourage communication between association members.
Participating in the Biodiversity Biwako Network's dragonfly conservation efforts through corporate collaboration
In 2016, neighboring companies* of Shiga Works launched the Biodiversity Biwako Network, which is engaged in biodiversity conservation activities using the 100 dragonfly species confirmed in the prefecture as indicators. The project, entitled Operation Dragonfly 100: Save Shiga's Dragonflies, has three strategies: search for the 100 dragonfly species in Shiga Prefecture, protect them, and educate the public about them. We are also engaged in regular monitoring at the company site, maintenance of biotopes and extermination of invasive alien species, nature observation meetings, exhibitions and presentations of our activities, as well as understanding of the current state of nature in the surrounding area.
- *Currently, these 6 companies are actively involved: Asahi Kasei Corporation, Asahi Kasei Juko Co., Ltd., Sekisui Chemical Co., Ltd., Sekisui Jushi Corporation, Daihatsu Motor Co., Ltd., and Daifuku Co., Ltd.