Kobe R&D Center’s ESPEC Bambi-no-Sato Certified as a “Natural Symbiosis Site” by the Ministry of the Environment
October 18, 2023
ESPEC Bambi-no-Sato at the Kobe R&D Center (Kita-ku, Kobe City)—the research and development base of ESPEC CORP. (Head office: Kita-ku Osaka City, Representative Director and President: Satoshi Arata)—has been certified as a “Natural Symbiosis Site” by the Ministry of the Environment.
To achieve its 30by30*1 targets, the Ministry of the Environment introduced the “Natural Symbiosis Site” program this fiscal year to certify areas where corporate efforts are helping to preserve biodiversity. Certified sites are listed in an international database of OECMs (Other Effective Area-Based Conservation Measures)—areas contributing to biodiversity conservation outside of protected areas.
As a participant in the 30by30 Alliance for Biodiversity*2 program, ESPEC completed a certification demonstration project in FY 2022 and received a “Certification Equivalent” rating. The company received official certification this year in recognition of its contribution to biodiversity preservation and management methods.
Based on its 8th Mid-Term Plan on the Environment (FY 2022 to 2025), the ESPEC Group is working to preserve biodiversity through its corporate activities, including environmental preservation and reforestation projects. ESPEC Bambi-no-Sato at the Kobe R&D Center includes a forest, rooftop greenery, and biotope where native saplings have been planted and nurtured to improve biodiversity and promote initiatives in cooperation with the local community, including universities and community groups.
ESPEC is dedicated to utilizing its business and corporate activities to help create a sustainable society.
*1 The international biodiversity conservation goal of the 30by30 project is to conserve at least 30 percent of the land and oceans as healthy ecosystems by 2030. This goal was agreed upon at the G7 Summit in June 2021. In December 2022, the 15th United Nations Biodiversity Conference of the Parties to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD-COP15) adopted the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework as a new global goal for 2030.
*2 The 30by30 Alliance for Biodiversity is a coalition of volunteers dedicated to promoting efforts to achieve the Ministry of the Environment’s 30by30 goals throughout Japan.
■ ESPEC Bambi-no-Sato
ESPEC Bambi-no-Sato is a biodiversity-focused site that includes a forest, rooftop greenery, and biotope based on the concept of “Restoring land to its original natural state.” Home to about 30,000 saplings planted and nurtured by employees and interested parties, the ESPEC Forest at this site includes local tree species selected based on ecological vegetation surveys. Meanwhile, the Great Roof of Connection rooftop greenery consists of local native species and is being used to protect and propagate rare species (such as Cynanchum paniculatum) under the supervision of the Museum of Nature and Human Activities, Hyogo. The biotope—established to restore the lost habitats of animals—attracts a wide variety of creatures including dragonflies and birds.
 ESPEC Forest, home to various native species |
 Rooftop greenery consisting entirely of native species |
 Biotope attracting a diverse range of creatures |
| Location | 5-2-5 Kanokodai Minamimachi, Kita-ku, Kobe |
|---|---|
| Start of operation | 2001 |
| Total area | 31,911 m2 |
| Total green space area | 15,062 m2 |
| Area | 16,000 m2 |
(Reference)
Contact Details:
Sustainability Management Department ESPEC CORP.
E-MAIL:ir-div@espec.jp