The MOL Group's activities could have an impact on biodiversity in the following ways:
- Cross-border transportation of alien species via ship ballast water, and organisms attached to vessels and containers
- Impact on eco-system of antifouling ship bottom paints
- Impact on eco-system of buildings and structures on coasts
- Impact on eco-system of paper, stationery, etc., used in offices
MOL works to develop and adopt technologies to minimize the impact of vessels on biodiversity. Furthermore, when constructing buildings on shores or the coast, MOL conducts impact assessments with project partners. Moreover, MOL
rigorously conducts green procurement and recycling in offices. To raise the awareness of employees regarding protection of biodiversity and the natural environment, MOL makes use of in-house communications tools and participates in activities that protect the natural environment.
Participation in "Nippon Keidanren's Declaration of Biodiversity" as a Promotion Partner
MOL supports and adheres to the Declaration of Biodiversity by the Japan Business Federation (Nippon Keidanren), and participates as a "Promotion Partner" to clarify this commitment internally and publicly.
Nippon Keidanren's Declaration of Biodiversity (Summary)
- Appreciate nature's gifts and aim for corporate activities in harmony with the natural environment
- Act from a global perspective on the biodiversity crisis
- Act voluntarily and steadily to contribute to biodiversity
- Promote corporate management for sustainable resource use
- Create an industry, lifestyle and culture that will learn from biodiversity
- Collaborate with relevant international and national organizations
- Spearhead activities to build a society that will nurture biodiversity
Organisms in Ballast Water and on Vessels
Ballast water purification experimental system
Ballast water is discharged when cargo is loaded. It may have an impact on local ecosystems by introducing foreign marine organisms from another location as well as the preservation and sustainable use of biodiversity. This potential cross-border transportation of foreign marine organisms in ballast water has been highlighted as an international issue since the late 1980s. As a result, a treaty on ballast water management was adopted by the IMO in February 2004, and work is proceeding on ratification ahead of enforcement. After 2017, all vessels will be required to treat ballast water to reduce the content of marine organisms to a specified level rendering it harmless. We have developed a ballast water purification system and conducted on-board demonstrations in cooperation with manufacturers and other concerned parties. We obtained the necessary approval for putting the system into use at the Marine Environment Protection Committee 61 (MEPC 61) meeting held in October 2010. In addition, ballast water purification systems have already been installed on nine MOL and MOL Group company Mitsui O.S.K. Kinkai, Ltd. vessels, well before the enforcement of the IMO treaty. This is just one example of efforts to render ballast water harmless as quickly as possible. Marine organisms attaching to the bottom of vessels due to the fouling of ship bottom paint and crossing borders is also an issue in the industry. The IMO is discussing guidelines to prevent this. MOL is expressing its views on practicality and other aspects through industry groups to contribute to the process of creating international guidelines.
Antifouling Ship Bottom Paints
In the past, paint containing tributyltin (TBT), which has a high antifouling property, was used for coating ship bottoms. However,after the harmful effect of TBT on ecosystems was widely confirmed, the IMO adopted an international convention that imposed regulations on the use of ship bottom paints, including TBT and other organic tin paints. The international convention came into force in 2008. MOL began switching to tin-free (TF) paint earlier than this, and as a result, we completed the switch on all of our managed vessels in fiscal 2005.
Environmental Education
MOL is working to raise employee awareness of protecting biodiversity and preserving nature as well as combating global warming through the following initiatives. Our aim is to synergistically raise both awareness and knowledge concerning the environment and ensure this is applied in day-to-day activities. From this perspective, we intend to continuously enhance and increase environmental education in the company.
In-house Newsletter "Monthly Environment"
We distribute a newsletter containing the latest news concerning global environmental protection via the MOL Group's intranet site.
Environmental E-Learning
In 2011, we launched an environmental E-Learning program using our intranet for MOL employees. The program is designed to test employees' general knowledge about environmental protection and their understanding of MOL's environmental strategy and specific environmental protection initiatives.
