As a corporate entity, MC strives to improve its corporate value through its core business activities; however, it is equally important that it also play a role in addressing the many problems that beset today's world, whether they involve environmental issues or social issues such as human rights and labor conditions.

In this section, we provide a brief introduction to MC's CSR and Environmental management system and explain what we are doing to achieve concrete results as well as the progress that we have made so far.

MC develops business with customers around the world and nearly 600 consolidated subsidiaries in a wide range of industries under a framework that consists of six business groups-Industrial Finance, Logistics & Development Group, Energy Business Group, Metals Group, Machinery Group, Chemicals Group and Living Essentials Group- and the newly established Corporate Development Section. As we engage in business development, we recognize that addressing environmental concerns is an important issue for contributing to the continuous development of society. These concerns include addressing climate change; the sustainable use of resources; and the preservation of biodiversity.

In terms of specific actions, we are working to reduce greenhouse gases by helping to develop new technologies and frameworks relating to the efficiency or conversion of energy and mineral resources. Within our own commercial business operations, we are striving to improve the energy efficiency of our offices and logistics operations. Conscious of the vital importance of natural biodiversity, we are also making a contribution through our support for various environmental conservation programs.

In addition to timely and appropriate disclosure of corporate information relating to the global environment, we try to reflect various stakeholder opinions in our business activities. Naturally, we are committed to observing all relevant environmental laws and regulations, but we also aim to go beyond mere compliance with the rules by actively promoting the adoption of industry-wide best practices and internationally recognized standards that apply to our worldwide operations. Through these kinds of measures, we aim to increase MC's value to the environment over time.