Eco Environment Takeover at Ricoh Group

The 11^th annual Ricoh Global Eco Action Month begins today with the aim of improving awareness of the environment and improve the quality of environmental management. The Ricoh Group, an IT services company, are using the month of June to encourage their employees to think environmentally. Ricoh are also holding Common Action Day ahead of UN World Environment Day.

At COP21 held in December last year, 195 countries agreed to set new goals to combat climate change and adopted the Paris Agreement. Various efforts need to be taken to achieve these goals. The Ricoh Group places importance on activities such as Ricoh Global Eco Action, which provides an opportunity for each Ricoh Group employee around the world to recognise the need to conserve the environment and encourages them to take action as an individual as well as a member of society.

The Ricoh Group promotes sustainable environmental management globally alongside the simultaneous achievement of both environmental conservation and profit generation. Many people have been invited to participate in eco action. To promote relevant action, the characteristics of each country and region have been reflected in the programme, as well as the fun and ease of each action were also taken into consideration.

Each organisation within the group has created their own programme and the network of participants has expanded from employees to include relatives, friends, and customers, and the action programme has also evolved in various directions.

The theme for this year’s event is “sharing the ‘eco mind’ together.” Ricoh will hold an event with about 110,000 Ricoh Group employees around the world, in Japan, Asia Pacific, Europe, and the Americas.

As well as taking every opportunity to encourage participation in activities and sharing information via various different media, Ricoh’s aim is to join forces with employees, families, friends, local residents, and customers to develop the scope of eco action on an even larger scale.

As part of Common Action Day on Friday 3 June, Ricoh will turn off signage on all billboards and Ricoh logo signboards at all Group companies around the world. The electricity used by Ricoh Group facilities all over the world will be provided via natural energy by making use of the Renewable Energy Certificate and employees will come to work wearing green articles of clothing and accessories to highlight Eco Action Month.

During the month other Ricoh Group organisations will be promoting Eco Action Month. Ricoh Asia Pacific Pte Ltd will hold an Eco Action Day panel discussion with representatives from companies, governments, and citizens, including the minister for the Environment and Water Resources as one of the panelists (in collaboration with Eco-Business) to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Eco Action Day in Asia.

Ricoh Europe PLC will participate in a biodiversity conservation activity together with the NPO Royal Parks Foundation, with participation by employee volunteers.

Ricoh USA, Inc. are to hold Eco Action educational activities and make an eco pledge by participants at the “International Science and Engineering Fair (Intel ISEF),” the world’s largest international pre-college science and technology competition.

Domestic business sites of Ricoh Company, Ltd will attempt to provide eco-friendly meals at the cafeteria and Ricoh Company, Ltd will deliver a commemorative lecture for group employees

Ricoh Japan Corporation are to participate in Arakawa River cleanup activities with Group employees, their family members, customers, and local residents, and learn about creatures in this river and how to protect them.

Finally, Ricoh Group employees will be asked to sign their own eco declarations on the intranet, showing their commitment to actively participating in environmental conservation activities at home and in the community, as well as in the office.

The Ricoh Group will continue to carry out Ricoh Global Eco Action as a springboard to promote environmental initiatives and awareness all over the world.