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 registered in the international database of OECM*1 (Other Effective Area-Based Conservation Measures), which includes areas contributing to biodiversity conservation outside of protected areas.

To achieve its 30by30*2 targets agreed upon at the G7 Summit in 2021, the Ministry of the Environment has been certifying "Natural Symbiosis Sites"--areas of biodiversity preservation--and registering them as OECM to promote biodiversity conservation efforts in the private sector, including corporate activities.
The biodiversity field at ESPEC Bambi-no-Sato includes a forest where native saplings have been planted and nurtured, rooftop greenery with 100% native plants, and a biotope attracting a diverse range of creatures. The site was certified as a "Natural Symbiosis Site" in October 2023 and has now been registered in the international database of OECM.

Under the ESPEC Group's 8th Mid-Term Plan on the Environment (FY2022-FY2025), ESPEC is increasing its efforts toward combating global warming and conserving biodiversity as its key themes. In 2022, ESPEC launched the ESPEC 50 Year Forest, a new biodiversity conservation initiative, to nurture a forest over a period of 50 years.
We will continue to actively engage in efforts toward the realization of a sustainable society.

*1OECM (Other Effective Area-Based Conservation Measures):
Areas other than legally established protected areas--such as national parks--that contribute to environmental conservation and biodiversity preservation.
The 30by30 targets will be achieved when the combined area of OECM and protected areas is at least 30%.

*230by30
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.

■ 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 Bambi-no-Sato map

ESPEC Forest, home to various native species

Rooftop greenery consisting entirely of native species

Biotope attracting a diverse range of creatures

■ Overview of Kobe R&D Center

(Reference)

• Natural Symbiosis Site (Ministry of the Environment website)
• Kobe R&D Center (R&D and Technology)
• Preserving Biodiversity and Training Environmental Human Resources (Sustainability)

Contact Details:

Sustainability Management Department ESPEC CORP.

E-MAIL:ir-div@espec.jp