Six Principal Initiatives Under Our Basic Environmental Management Policy || KOBE STEEL, LTD.

Further enhancing our corporate value through groupwide environmental management

The Kobe Steel Group recognizes that the obligation to protect the global environment is its most urgent task and, therefore, has adopted the mission to pass on a healthy world to future generations. The Kobe Steel Group formulated a Basic Environmental Management Policy and, accordingly, stepped up efforts to promote environmental management in every facet of its business activities. The following section outlines the six principal initiatives that we have set out under our Basic Environmental Management Policy.

Basic Environmental Management Policy

Further Enhancing Enterprise Value through Groupwide Environmental Management
(Improving the Group's Environmental Capabilities)

Aiming to remain an advanced environmental business enterprise, the Kobe Steel Group shall fulfill its corporate social responsibilities, improve its environmental capabilities and raise its corporate value by putting the following three principles into practice:

1.	Reducing the environmental impact from production
2.	Contributing to the environment through environment-friendly products, technologies and services
3.	Maintaining a relationship of trust and collaboration with society at large

1.	Minimizing environmental impact in every aspect of production Adopting measures against global warming Promoting recycling Proper control of chemical substances Reducing the environmental burden
2.	Contributing to the environment through products, technologies and services
3.	Disclosing environment-related information
4.	Maintaining a relationship of trust and collaboration with society
5.	Implementing environmental initiatives based on the collective efforts of all Group employees
6.	Undertaking environmental risk management

Environmental Management System of the Kobe Steel Group

Environmental management is overseen by the Environmental Management Committee, whose role includes discussing and providing recommendations regarding the six principal initiatives under our Basic Environmental Management Policy.

The Environmental Management Committee meets annually to review and check progress with initiatives during the year. It also provides the Executive Council with updates and recommendations regarding specific priorities for the future.

We set up subcommittees to address specific themes that are deemed particularly important, so as to deal with the relevant issues quickly and effectively.

We also have an Environmental Management Promotion Advisory Panel, which meets as and when necessary in order to seek advice from outside experts.

Environmental Management Committee

Environmental Management System of the Group

Promoting Environmental Management Throughout the Kobe Steel Group

Yuichi Seki
Senior Managing Director, Kobe Steel, Ltd.
Chairman of the Environmental Management Committee

In addition to strictly enforcing compliance with environmental legislation in accordance with our Basic Environmental Management Policy, we have continued to contribute to the environment and work in harmony with local communities via our products, technologies and services here at the Kobe Steel Group.

We will of course continue to implement domestic activities such as these in the future. As part of our efforts to expand the Group’s operations into growth markets however, we are also focusing on environmentally friendly manufacturing and intend to contribute to the environment through our products, technologies and services, based on our commitment to environmental management.