Getting Everyone Involved in Initiatives

We have been running our Kobelco Eco-Life Notebook environmental accounting scheme r since 1998. The aim is to make employees more aware of their individual household CO₂ emissions, thereby raising awareness of the need to save energy and encouraging employees to voluntarily change the way they live their lives.

We are always working to make the scheme more accessible, and in April 2010 made it possible for employees to take part online, as well as via the existing paper-based system. A total of 3,373 households took part in the scheme in fiscal 2009, an increase of 1,474 compared to fiscal 2008.

We implement a range of energy saving initiatives at the Kobe Steel Group, including adjusting temperature settings on office air conditioning systems, and replacing lighting and computers with energy-saving alternatives.

We intend to focus even more on saving energy in fiscal 2011 due to the impact of the Great East Japan Earthquake, through initiatives such as extending our Summer Eco Style (Cool Biz) campaign from May 1 to the end of October.

Kobe Steel has been providing environmental education and training as part of training for staff at all levels (depending on the organizational structure at each site) on an ongoing basis since fiscal 2006. We also organize regular e-learning programs via the intranet in an effort to raise environmental awareness and ensure that employees are familiar with environmental legislation.

Kobe Steel is increasing the number of qualified pollution control managers and energy managers it employs, to bolster environmental management and raise awareness.