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Medium- to Long-Term Environmental Objectives and Initiatives

Self-evaluation
Progressing as planned
Some issues remaining
Plan not achieved

Areas for Implementation		Long-Term Policies	Medium-Term Targets	Fiscal 2014 Results	Initiatives for Fiscal 2015
1. Environmentally Friendly Manufacturing	Global-Warming Countermeasures	To save energy, reduce CO₂ emissions and combat global warming in every aspect of the Group's operations.	To engage thoroughly in energy-saving activities, and to achieve voluntary action plans in each industry.	Carried out energy-saving capital investment projects, such as the installation of gas turbines, while also pursuing operational improvements and other grass-root activities.	To work toward achievement of the Keidanren’s action plan, Commitment to a Low Carbon Society, and continue to implement energy-saving initiatives.
	Promoting Resource Recycling	To continue activities aimed at zero landfill waste.	To achieve the goals set in voluntary action plans for each industry by using the appropriate amount of raw materials and auxiliary materials and developing new recycling technologies and new applications.	As a result of initiatives to reduce waste, voluntary action plan targets for 2015 were achieved for each business unit.	To aim for further reductions in each business sector, in addition to achievement of voluntary targets. To create and implement appropriate processes in accordance with revisions to the Guidelines for Management of Iron and Steel Slag Products (formulated by the Nippon Slag Association).
	Appropriate Management of Chemical Substances	To reduce hazardous substances in accordance with the "Kobe Steel Group Policy on Controlling Hazardous Chemical Substances."	To continue proper groupwide chemical substance management, with efforts to reduce or replace substances associated with future risks (dichloromethane, lead, etc.).	Spread awareness of proper management and handling methods for machinery containing substances such as PCB and asbestos. Continued initiatives to reduce chemical substances such as dichloromethane and lead.	To aim for Groupwide understanding of the appropriate management of chemical substances via environmental audits and Group environmental conferences. To reduce or replace harmful chemical substances.
	Reducing the Environmental Impact	To make continuous efforts toward reducing the impact on the environment through comprehensive voluntary controls.	To continue meticulous operating management and facility management, with efforts to reduce the environmental impact from soot and other such factors.	Despite ongoing initiatives to combat dust, dustfall at Kakogawa Works in May 2014 was 3.52 t/km² per month, exceeding the voluntary target of 3 t/km² per month.	To thoroughly carry out measures to prevent reoccurrence of problems at Kakogawa Works. To continue meticulous operational management and facility management and reduce environmental impact.
2. Contributing to the Environment through Products, Technologies and Services		To keep all product and technical development environmentally friendly, and to create environmentally sustainable products and new businesses.	To strengthen initiatives for a low-carbon society through development and sale of renewable energy (such as binary power generation) equipment and hydrogen equipment, in addition to promotion of other high-performance products that contribute to the environment.	Began sale of the HyAC mini packaged hydrogen fueling station unit, which needs only half the installation space compared with conventional models. Aimed to strengthen environmental business initiatives, such as through participation in the Kobe FCV Promotion Council.	To participate actively in the various governmental activities for introduction of fuel cell vehicle and other hydrogen technologies and undertake other activities to contribute to a low-carbon society. To explore new business opportunities in the energy and low-carbon technology fields, in anticipation of the next medium-term plan.
3. Disclosure of Environmental Information		To take active steps to disclose environmental information and improve communication with stakeholders.	To continue with disclosure and increase communication with all stakeholders.	Disclosed environmental information via the Sustainability Report, company website, environmental monitors and other sources. Introduced Group environmental products and technologies at exhibitions.	To continue with appropriate disclosure.
4. Coexisting and Cooperating with Society		To promote coexistence and cooperation with local communities in regard to the environment.	To operate the KOBELCO Green Project, which includes new initiatives such as the KOBELCO Forest Fairy Tale Prize, while also engaging in forest maintenance and educational programs for children.	The Second KOBELCO Forest Fairy Tale Prize received even more participation and support than in its first year, with 438 entries in total. Just as last year, two winning stories were selected and turned into picture books. Approximately 1,800 book sets were then donated to schools and libraries in Hyogo Prefecture and elsewhere. Carried out regular forest maintenance activities at two locations in Hyogo Prefecture and one location in Osaka Prefecture.	To develop PR activities that raise awareness of the KOBELCO Forest Fairy Tale Prize and increase the number of children participating. To continue carrying out forest maintenance activities and participating in children’s center environmental outreach programs.
5. Promoting Initiatives with Full Employee Participation		To constantly improve the environmental awareness of all Kobe Steel Group employees.	To raise the environmental awareness and expertise of all employees through environmental training (stratified training, e-learning), and to continue promotion of the KOBELCO Eco Life Notebook (household environmental accounting book) program.	Carried out stratified training and e-learning to increase awareness of compliance and environmental risks. Promoted participation in KOBELCO Eco Life Notebook (household environmental accounting book) program, aiming for environmental awareness at employees’ homes.	To continue with stratified training, training for Group companies and other efforts to promote employee environmental awareness and education. To promote general environmental awareness by continuing to encourage participation in the KOBELCO Eco Life Notebook (household environmental accounting book) program.
6. Thorough Risk Management		To pursue systematic and deliberate efforts to reduce risks.	To establish mechanisms to ensure compliance at all locations by implementing environmental audits and verification, and maintaining groupwide management systems. To continue with on-site environmental assessments and promote a greater level of environmental management for overseas Group companies.	Spread awareness of revisions of laws through the Kobe Steel Group Environmental Conference, and implemented environmental audits at 16 locations to confirm state of compliance to environmental laws. Carried out environmental risk audits in China and stationed an environmental manager in China as of April 2015. Also held environmental seminars in China and Southeast Asia.	To improve and strengthen risk management systems, such as through support for more thorough environmental compliance education. To build environmental management systems in China, assess environmental risks, and implement corrective measures. To continue carrying out environmental seminars for overseas Group companies.