Based on the GRI Standards as revised in 2021, Canon used the three-step process outlined below to identify six material topics by considering the positive and negative, direct and indirect impacts of Group activities to the environmental and social areas.
Of the six topics identified, four were regarded as of greater importance: three themes (Climate Change; Resource Efficiency, Chemical Substances) due to being issues our society faces, while also affecting Canon’s operating sites and product competitiveness due to the trend towards stricter regulation worldwide; and the fourth topic (Human Rights and Labor) as being vital to underpin the mutual respect between individuals that helps create workplaces with innovative potential, thereby sustaining our business development. Although important, the fifth theme (Biodiversity) was regarded as having a lesser impact on our business, while the sixth topic (Sociocultural Support Activities) was deemed important since Canon has always implemented such activities and will continue to do so in the future. Results from this analysis were discussed with outside experts to maintain objectivity, before approval by management.
Going forward, we will review Canon’s material topics for the next report, based on an assessment of societal changes and issues as gleaned from stakeholder dialogue and an analysis of how such factors relate to the management of the business.
Regarding the activities that are critical to our sustained growth such as product responsibility, corporate governance, risk management and supply chain management, are positioned and reported as part of the management foundation.
The environmental and social material topics were identified via the following three-step process.
| Identified material topics | Main initiatives covered in Sustainability Report 2023 | Significance | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Environmental domain | Climate change > |
|
Very important |
| Resource efficiency > |
|
Very important | |
| Chemical substances > |
|
Very important | |
| Biodiversity > |
|
important | |
| Social domain | Human rights and labor | Very important | |
| Sociocultural support activities > |
|
important |
We are working to reduce CO2 emissions over entire product lifecycles by making more compact, lightweight, and energy-efficient products; by boosting efficiency in logistics; by introducing renewables at Canon production sites to raise energyefficiency; and by recycling products.
Besides restricting resource consumption, we are developing systems to enable the global recycling of resources so these can be used repeatedly.
Canon has a Group-wide environmental assurance system for chemical substances contained in products, and we address this issue during product development.
Canon promotes various activities at its sites in Japan and overseas on the theme of birds, which occupy an apex position in local ecosystems above plants, insects and small animals.
This involves assessing human rights risk in workplaces while using outside expert advice. We use the RBA’s SAQ to assess risk within our supply chain. Sustainable procurement activities are our aim.
This social investment initiative in Africa aims to promote and expand employment by enhancing the skills of young workers in fields such as photography, video and printing through workshops and a related guidance program.
