Environmental issues are a key factor that will affect the future of the entire human race , prompting companies to take their environmental activities to a new level.

Rather than engaging in dedicated environmental preservation activities, companies are now incorporating initiatives into their core business activities, for such advanced initiatives are being required by society. Here at the Kobe Steel Group, we continue to develop new products and technologies designed to reduce environmental impact, whilst also implementing environmental activities as part of our diverse range of business activities.

We also consider it to be our fundamental responsibility as a company to contribute to the local community. As such, we organize activities aimed at promoting interaction with local people and contributing to community development at all of our premises, both in Japan and overseas.

Our goal is to live in harmony with society and the Earth. That same desire underpins all of the Kobe Steel Group's environmental and social activities outlined in this report.

This report was created by the Report Production Subcommittee under the CSR Committee, in consultation with all divisions and companies. The content was selected, written and edited with an emphasis on materiality, highlighting the matters of greatest concern to stakeholders. In the opening section of this year's report, we have included a feature outlining proprietary technologies and products that will help reduce CO₂ emissions, one of the main causes of global warming.

This report was created with reference to the following works: the GRI Guidelines, 3rd Edition; the Guidelines for Environmental Reporting, 2007 Edition; and a PR paper on corporate evaluation and business continuity published on August 1, 2005 by the Working Group of the Central Disaster Prevention Council.