Ecosystem conversion and restoration
No evidence was found regarding the company’s efforts to avoid ecosystem conversion, including deforestation, or promote restoration. The company has an opportunity to develop a strategy and publicly report on specific, time-bound targets.
GHG emissions
Sumitomo Chemical should reduce its scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions and report progress against its targets. Crucially, all its scope 1, 2 and 3 targets need to align with a 1.5-degree trajectory.
Impact and dependencies assessment
Sumitomo Chemical communicates that it evaluates its effects on water bodies and endeavors to minimize its environmental footprint. However, there’s no publicly available information to suggest a comprehensive assessment of its impact on nature, including biodiversity, across all its operations. Additionally, it lacks disclosures regarding dependencies on nature both in-house and within its upstream business relationships.
Invasive species
Sumitomo Chemical has not identified any activities that could lead to the introduction of invasive alien species in its own operations.
Key areas and species
While Sumitomo Chemical has disclosed some species in proximity to its water areas and precious aquatic benthic organisms in specific rivers, there is room to expand this by providing a complete list of species at all locations and their status according to national and international conservation lists. The company also has an opportunity to be more transparent by identifying the locations within its own operations and those of its suppliers that are adjacent to areas of high biodiversity value.
Resource exploitation and circularity performance
Sumitomo Chemical currently shares some information about the resources it utilizes, but there is room for improvement in terms of providing more comprehensive details. Additionally, there is no quantitative reporting available on the company’s overall circularity performance. Furthermore, the company has an opportunity to disclose its efforts towards enhancing soil health and agrobiodiversity in its production or sourcing practices. It could also consider setting a target to improve soil health and periodically report on its progress.
Solid and air pollution
Sumitomo Chemical should commit to avoid developing or marketing new chemicals or products with SVHC (substance of very high concern) properties, as well as work on reducing the production of hazardous substances and waste. It also has an opportunity to report on the amount of plastic waste generated and proportions directed from or to disposal. Finally, while the company has a target to reduce air pollutants, it is not time-bound.
Water
Sumitomo Chemical has an opportunity to further improve water withdrawal by engaging with suppliers and disclosing water withdrawals from water-stressed areas. It has an opportunity to set time-bound targets to reduce water pollution metrics. The company does not disclose relevant information on rights to water in its operations or supply chains.
