CSR & Environmental Framework
MC has established the "CSR & Environmental Affairs Committee" as an organization for discussing general basic policy for CSR and the environment. We have also appointed a Senior Executive Vice President in charge of CSR & Environmental Affairs to clearly specify CSR and the environment as part of the scope of duties of a senior executive.
Additionally, the "CSR & Environmental Affairs Advisory Committee," which includes the participation of outside experts, provides advice and recommendations regarding the MC Group's CSR and environmental activities.
To help promote the development of the MC Group's business activities world-wide, we believe that in addition to the discussion conducted within the Group, it is also important to include the opinions of outside experts.
MC's Corporate Governance Framework
MC's corporate philosophy is enshrined in the Three CorporatePrinciples-Corporate Responsibility to Society, Integrity andFairness,and Global Understanding Through Business. Throughcorporate activities rooted in the principles of fairness and integrity, MC strives to continuously raise corporate value. The Companybelieves that by helping to enrich society, both materially and spiritually,it will also meet the expectations of shareholders, customersand all other stakeholders.
A key management theme in achieving these goals is tostrengthen corporate management on an ongoing basis, as thefoundation for ensuring sound, transparent and efficient management.MC is thus working to build a corporate governance system,based on the Corporate Auditor System, that is even more effective.To this end, the Company has strengthened supervision by appointingmore outside directors, and also separated management andexecution further by introducing the executive officer system.
MC's Internal Control System
MC is building and operating an internal control system, as discussed below, so as to ensure that business activities are conducted properly and in conformity with laws and its Articles of Incorporation.
Efforts are ongoing to reform and improve this system.
Environmental Management Systems (EMS)
At MC, we are establishing an environmental management system (EMS) based on ISO14001 so that we can maintain an accurate grasp of the direct and indirect impact and burden on the environment that we make as a general trading company in the course of handling various products and implementing a wide range of business investments, and continually lighten this impact and burden.
Operating under the President, the EMS encourages all employees and executives to participate in activities such as reducing carbon dioxide emissions at the office work places or when in transit on business trips.
Also, through questionnaire surveys, interviews and on-site inspections conducted to find out information on the environmental and social activities of our trading partners and business investments, the EMS provides a way to understand the policies and current circumstances of environmental management and contingency plans for cases of emergency of these companies. This allows us to offer recommendations and make requests to our partners to perpetuate the continual efforts of all parties to lighten the environmental burden
Loan and investment proposals are examined by the Executive Committee, which acts as the strategic decision-making body for MC. Social and environmental risks are also examined as part of this process, with some proposals receiving further review from the Board of Directors when necessary. Loan and investment decisions by the Executive Committee are based on advisory input from the Portfolio Management Committee, which in turn bases its advice on comments submitted by specialized internal departments. The screening and review process is a comprehensive one, taking into account not only economic but also global environmental and social impact factors.
Handling a diverse range of products and services across the globe, MC considers CSR as one of the important issues of supply chain management. In February 2008, MC formulated "CSR Guidelines for Supply Chain Management" as a policy for human rights, labor issues and environmental conservation. MC and all its suppliers take the same fundamental position towards these issues.
MC is working to reduce environmental burden in its office work places.
In addition to reducing the amount of paper and electricity used, we are also promoting the recycling of waste materials.
