Sustainable Forestry | Marubeni Corporation

EnvironmentSustainable Forestry

Forest Management Policy

1. Introduction

Marubeni Group (hereinafter the “Company”) promotes sustainable forest management by conducting fair and upright corporate activities in accordance with the spirit of the Company Creed of “Fairness, Innovation and Harmony”. We recognize that forests are renewable resources that provide various benefits for sustaining life on earth, and embrace economically viable forest management methods with the aim of ensuring the prosperity of present and future generations.

We strive to contribute to the establishment of a circular economy by creating innovation in the utilization of forest resources and responding to the society’s environmental needs that are becoming more diverse.

The Forest Management Policy (hereinafter the “Policy”) drives our commitments to sustainable forest management, the protection of forests with high conservation value (HCV ) and the elimination of unregulated forest logging in our business activities. We, through our focus on on-site operations, are able to create economic benefits and contribute to society by conducting sustainable forest management through coexistence and co-prosperity with local communities, as well as supplying environmentally conscious wood resources that respond to society's needs.

2. Scope of Application

The Policy applies to all woodchip and pulp manufacturing and forest plantation operations by Marubeni and its subsidiaries worldwide.

3. Commitments

We go beyond compliance in our commitments to sustainable forest management. Through this Policy, we reaffirm our commitment to comply with all applicable laws and regulations relevant to forestry operations and seek to extend this obligation to our contractors and their employees.

（1）Natural Capital

In implementing sustainable forest management, we commit to the following guidelines on the principle of No Deforestation:

Only handling wood resources managed in a sustainable and appropriate way.
No conversion of natural forests in forest plantation developments.
Proactively addressing protection of HCV forests in our forest management from the viewpoint of biodiversity conservation.
No forest plantation operations in HCV forests or on peatland.
Committing to a “No Burn Policy” that restricts the use of fire in forest plantation operations that can potentially cause forest fires in tropical forest areas.
Minimizing the impact of logging and related logging access roads construction on ecosystems.
Proactively addressing the protection of species at risk of extinction included in IUCN’s (International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources) Red List of Threatened Species.
Restricting the usage of alien species only to cases where impact is manageable.
Following international best practices for soil management.
Not using any pesticides classified as Class 1A/1B in the classification scheme of the WHO (World Health Organization), or any substances regulated by the Rotterdam Convention and the Stockholm Convention as pesticides.
Not using genetic modification technology in forest management.
Effective utilization of trees damaged by natural disasters such as burned trees, fallen trees, drift wood etc.

（2）Social Capital

We commit to the social and economic development of the areas where we operate and seek to identify opportunities to create shared values with local communities. We recognize the importance of land use rights for local communities and indigenous people and their right to enjoy a fair share of the benefits obtainable from the commercial use of forest resources. Marubeni Group follows the principles regarding human rights described in the Basic Policy on Human Rights, and conducts the following activities as a responsible party:

Committing to provide a safe and productive work environment, and not tolerating any form for child labor, forced labor, discrimination, harassment or abuse.
Following the principle of Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) when starting new forestry operations on the lands where indigenous and local communities hold legal or customary rights.
Establishing grievance and conflict resolution mechanisms compliant with international standards and the regulatory requirements of the host countries of our forestry operations, as well as engaging in good-faith dialogue with stakeholders to resolve any issues.
Actively carrying out stakeholder engagement on local, national and international scales.
Respecting the rights of every worker.

We are contributing to economic and social development of areas where we operate through the following initiatives:

Creating employment opportunities for local residents (priority allocation of contracts for forest plantation related work)
Joint programs with local residents (Joint Forestry, Agriculture and Forest Products Harvesting Programs, etc.)
Support activities for local residents (support for indigenous people, vocational training, disaster prevention drills, voluntary provision of daily necessities, etc.)
Educational support (scholarships, construction or renovation and extension of schools, dispatching of teachers, operational support, etc.)
Other community support (support for infrastructure equipment repair, sports events, etc.)

（3）International Standards

We promote the main principles outlined in international standards relevant to the forestry industry (forest plantations, woodchips and pulp manufacturing) in our own operations as part of our commitment to sustainable forest management.

（4）Environmental and Social Risk Assessment

We conduct the necessary environmental and social risk assessment prior to the completion of land acquisitions or land developments for new operations.

4. Governance

（1）Implementation

The Policy is approved by Marubeni’s Board of Directors. Oversight of the Policy is by the Chairperson of Sustainability Management Committee with implementation by the Business Group.

（2）Links to Other Policies

The Policy complements other sustainability related policies of the Company including the Basic Policy on Human Rights and Basic Supply Chain Sustainability Policy.

（3）Policy Management

We will review the Policy at least once a year, or as new information and knowledge becomes available, in ways that are consistent with our objectives of sustainable forest management.

（4）Certification Audit and Monitoring

We hold international certification for sustainable forest management and CoC (Chain of Custody) certification to manage distribution and processing. As a result, accredited bodies conduct regular auditing and monitoring of these certifications.

（5）Information Disclosure

In addition to increasing the transparency of our business activities, we are committed to disclose information on our approach to sustainable forest management on the Company website etc.

Note: HCV forests are forests that have a High Conservation Value in social, cultural and or environmental terms.

Procurement Policy (Forest-derived Products)

1. Introduction

The Marubeni Group (hereinafter referred to as “we”) conducts fair and upright corporate activities in accordance with the spirit of its Company Creed of "Fairness, Innovation and Harmony" and strives to build a sustainable society together with its business partners in line with the "Basic Supply Chain Sustainability Policy."

We have established the Product Procurement Policy (Forest-derived Products) (hereinafter referred to as the “Policy”) to promote the procurement of timber and related products produced from appropriately managed forests, thereby realizing the sustainable use of forest resources.
This Policy has been approved by Marubeni’s Board of Directors. The Chairperson of the Sustainability Management Committee oversees the Policy, and the Business Group is in charge of its effective implementation. We undertake to review this Policy at least annually and revise it as necessary.

2. Scope

This Policy applies to the trading of timber and related products by Marubeni and its subsidiaries worldwide. Specifically, it covers raw timber, woodchips (including fuel woodchips), pulp, and paper and paperboard products (hereinafter referred to as "procured products").

3. Commitment

In cooperation with suppliers and customers, we are committed to ensuring the traceability of procured products while conducting our procurement activities in accordance with the Basic Supply Chain Sustainability Policy and the following principles.

(1) No handling of procured products produced from illegally logged timber.
(2) No handling of products procured from suppliers involved in serious environmental and social controversies, such as the destruction of forests with high conservation value.
(3) No handling of procured products produced from genetically modified wood.
(4) Promoting the handling of procured products that have been certified under a reliable international forest certification system.

In order to promote this Policy, we will investigate the environmental and social considerations of suppliers as well as their compliance with laws and regulations. In the event that any non-compliance with this Policy is discovered, consultations and requests for improvement measures will be made. If the non-compliant supplier does not improve, we will review our business relationship with the relevant supplier.

We will regularly disclose information on this Policy. We are committed to promoting to society the sustainable use of forest resources through appropriate communication with our suppliers and customers and other stakeholders.

Sustainable Forest Management

Forest area throughout the world began to decline rapidly in the 20th century. Forests fulfill a variety of environmental functions, including biodiversity conservation, erosion control, and watershed conservation. The wood resources we obtain from forests also play important roles in our daily lives. Marubeni recognizes that sustainable forest management is of the utmost importance because of the social and economic value that forests provide.

WA Plantation Resources Pty. Ltd.(WAPRES)

The Marubeni Group^*1 currently holds some 140,000 hectares of tree plantations in Australia and Indonesia (total gross project area is about 310,000 hectares). Focusing on eucalyptus, a fast-growing broadleaf tree that matures in six to ten years, and through a controlled cycle of planting, cultivation, management and harvesting, we provide a stable and sustainable supply of wood resources used for pulp and paper. Because we plant on sites that do not threaten the lives and livelihood of local inhabitants and do not harvest natural forests, our forest plantation business is sustainable and demonstrates consideration for the environment and regional communities.

The Marubeni Group’s forest plantation business is conducted by two consolidated subsidiaries: WA Plantation Resources Pty. Ltd. (WAPRES) in Australia and PT Musi Hutan Persada (PT-MHP) in Indonesia.

The Marubeni Group’s forest management is operated in accordance with standards established by forest certification systems. WAPRES, which operates the forest plantation and wood chip production business in Australia, has obtained Forest Management certification (FSC® C016260)^*2 and Chain of Custody certification^*3 from the Forest Stewardship Council^*4 (FSC), and Sustainable Forest Management certification from Responsible Wood^*5.

PT-MHP, which operates the forest plantation business in Indonesia, has obtained Forest Management certification from the Indonesian Forestry Certification Corporation^*6. Wood harvested from the plantations of both WAPRES and PT-MHP is supplied as 100% certified wood as of March 31, 2019.

The Marubeni Group will continue to manage the supply chain^*7 for manufacturing pulp and paper in a sustainable manner.

Forest Management certification/Sustainable Forest Management certification: Certification that a forest owner or management organization conducts sustainable forest management based on certain criteria established by an independent third party.
Chain of Custody certification: A certification of manufacturers, processors and distributors that manage wood and wood products from certified forests separately from other materials based on certain criteria established by an independent third party.
Forest Stewardship Council: An international organization that provides systems of forest certification.
Responsible Wood (Certification Scheme): A forest certification system in Australia endorsed and mutually recognized under the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC), an international forest certification system for the endorsement and mutual recognition of forest certification systems of various countries.
Indonesian Forestry Certification Corporation: A forest certification system in Indonesia endorsed and mutually recognized under the PEFC.
The Marubeni Group has businesses that span the pulp and paper supply chain, with a pulp mill at PT Tanjungenim Lestari Pulp and Paper, a consolidated subsidiary in Indonesia, the two paper mills of consolidated subsidiaries Koa Kogyo Co., Ltd. and Fukuyama Paper Co., Ltd., and a paper recycling business at Marubeni Paper Recycle Co., Ltd.

(As of April 2020)

Sustainable Forest Management (REDD+)

REDD Center sign. Marubeni appears as a co-collaborator
Seedlings cultivated in the nursery
Slashed-and-burned forest

Luang Phabang province in northern Laos is covered in lush forests; but, the decline in forests due to slash-and-burn farming methods is becoming serious. In this province, there is a mechanism being implemented to preserve the forests in developing countries called REDD+^*8. Marubeni is participating in a project, along with Waseda University, Mitsubishi UFJ Research and Consulting Co., Ltd., Japan Forest Technology Association and the National Agriculture and Forestry Research Institute of Laos.

REDD+ is a mechanism for the international community to provide economic support when a developing country takes measures to prevent deforestation and forest degradation, thereby reducing greenhouse gas emissions or increasing the amount of carbon stocks by the forest. The aim of this project is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by introducing alternative means of livelihood that do not rely excessively on slash-and-burn farming methods. To facilitate the smooth implementation of the project, an important theme is building a system based on collaboration with the neighboring communities. Also, in terms of biodiversity conservation, projects are carried out in accordance with the Laos government’s plans and strategies based on the Convention on Biological Diversity, while also considering the validity of the wildlife conservation methods.

In addition to the traditional paddy field cultivation and the cultivation of coffee, since the 2017 fiscal year efforts are being made to grow high-added-value fruits like strawberries and blueberries, as well as introducing alternative means of livelihood , such as weaving, woodworking, and breeding of livestock. There are also plans to establish technical stations in various villages and village clusters to provide technical support for forest preservation, and creating the base for continuous project implementation.

The implementation of REDD+ in Luang Prabang province involves about 30,000 hectares in the Phonxay district near the village cluster of Houaykhing, achieving greenhouse gas emission reductions of approximately 130,000 tons annually. There is a total of about 2 million hectares of forest in the Luang Prabang province in total. If the activities of the REDD+ project are expanded to quasi-national basis in the future, there is the potential to achieve a 3-million ton reduction in greenhouse gas emissions annually. This project is included in the Joint Crediting Mechanism (JCM) framework between Japan and Laos, and Japan’s contribution to suppressing climate change is also expected.

8 REDD＋:Reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation and the role of conservation, sustainable management of forests and enhancement of forest carbon stocks in developing countries