Initiatives in Corporate Activities
Achieving Carbon Neutrality
Renewable Energy
Switching to Net-zero CO2 Electricity
The KONOIKE Group expands our use of renewable energy. We switched the electricity supply for the equipment at all 135 company sites to net-zero CO2 electricity over the four years between FY3/2022 and FY3/2025. This switch resulted in a year-on-year reduction of 14,000 t-CO2e in FY3/2025 and a 24,000 t-CO2e reduction compared with the FY3/2019 baseline used for our CO2 reduction target.
Utilizing Biodiesel Fuel
Trucks at five domestic sites use B5 biodiesel*, while airport service vehicles at Kansai International Airport run on B30 fuel*. The use of these fuels reduced CO2 emissions by 26 t-CO2e in FY3/2025. We also collect waste cooking oil from employees’ homes and recycle it into fuel. We will continue to reduce CO2 emissions through the greater use of renewable energy.
- Diesel mixed with 5% biodiesel
- Diesel mixed with 30% biodiesel
Utilization of Solar Energy
Photovoltaic arrays in 24 domestic locations and 3 overseas locations owned by the KONOIKE Group contribute to the decarbonization of Earth by producing 14.8 GWh of renewable energy yearly. Additionally, the heat-shielding effects of solar panels mitigate increasing temperatures within our warehouses, resulting in an additional contribution to a lower carbon footprint at our logistics centers. Solar power intended for internal use will be standard equipment for newly established distribution centers. Batteries will enable the centers to store energy, so that surplus electric power can be used at night or sent to other locations. By such means, we aim to make the most effective use of renewable energy and contribute to the wider decarbonization of society.
Photo: Hazama Ando Corporation (Shizuoka Branch)
Energy Conservation
Introducing Double-trailer Trucks
KONOIKE operates 25-meter double-trailer trucks as one of our energy-saving initiatives in transportation services. We introduced four units in partnership with NEXT Logistics Japan Co., Ltd. Each truck can carry the same load as two standard large trucks with a single driver, helping address the driver shortage while also reducing CO2 emissions by an estimated 35% annually compared with operating two separate trucks.
Advancing Modal Shifts
We are implementing modal shifts from trucks to rail and marine transport, which produce lower CO2 emissions. In Japan, we carry out these shifts at 21 sites, centered on the Tokyo Rail Gate Sales Office located within JR Freight’s Tokyo Freight Terminal Station. Overseas, we operate inland container depot (ICD) between three major ports in western India and the Delhi area in northern India. We also run automobile freight train operator (AFTO) services, transporting finished automobiles by rail with dedicated auto carrier railcars. These efforts reduced CO2 emissions by approximately 73,500 t in FY3/2025.
Railway Transport Business in India That Both Lowers Environmental Impact and Streamlines Logistics
In recent years, India’s economic development has been increasing and the country is in urgent need of a distribution network as social infrastructure. Trucks have become the leading method of land transportation. Therefore, transportation delays due to traffic congestion and the air pollution of exhaust gas have become major social problems throughout India. This has led to demand for modal shift. In response, in 2017 the KONOIKE Group launched a rail container transport business in India, the first such business by a Japanese company. Rail transportation offers a large capacity in a single trip and can reduce environmental impact in ways that contribute to the prevention of global warming. Currently, the construction of a freight railway between Delhi and Mumbai is underway as a national project. We hope to further improve our transportation capacity in India, further reduce our environmental impact, streamline logistics, and contribute to India’s economic development. As we do so, we are also striving to help prevent global warming.
A single train can accommodate approximately 300 small finished vehicles
Eco-Conscious Driving
The KONOIKE Group was one of the first transportation groups to adopt eco-driving to reduce CO2 emissions. At locations that own vehicles, we strictly manage the fuel efficiency of all vehicles and continue to make efforts to reduce CO2 emissions. While eco-friendly driving is important, daily vehicle maintenance is another critical element of eco-driving. In addition, eco-driving means safer driving, since drivers learn to avoid abrupt braking, acceleration, and steering. We continue to consider and practice eco-driving as an effective means for ensuring transportation safety.
New Technologies
Introducing Refrigerated and Frozen EV Trucks
The KONOIKE Group introduced our first EV trucks in January 2025 as part of our efforts to reduce CO2 emissions. The trucks we introduced include three small refrigerated and frozen trucks for deliveries to AEON Group stores: two at the Nagaizumi Distribution Center Office of the Tokai Branch (Shizuoka) and one at the Fukuroi Distribution Center Office. Both offices are managed as contract centers for AEON GLOBAL SCM Co., Ltd. We estimate that the three trucks together will reduce CO2 emissions by 12 t-CO2e per year.
Hydrogen-Powered Fuel Cell Forklifts
In 2018, we became the first logistics firm to implement fuel cell forklifts. Currently, three units are in operation. Hydrogen forklifts generate energy and drive via hydrogen fuel, making them a superior performer for the environment. While in operation, they do not emit CO2 or other substances that have a negative impact on the environment. These forklifts are also very convenient as they can be fully fueled in about three minutes. Further, we generate the hydrogen using electricity from solar power, resulting in forklifts that are CO2-free.
Carbon Offsets
Biodiversity Preservation Activities in Osaka Bay
As an organization founded originally in Osaka, the KONOIKE Group had been participating in the activities of an environmental conservation NPO to preserve the ecosystem of Osaka Bay since 2013 by transplanting eelgrass. Eelgrass is a type of seagrass found in coastal areas and is recognized as a source of blue carbon for CO2 absorption. The development of coastal areas has reduced the area of eelgrass beds in recent years. In response, we began raising eelgrass seeds collected from Osaka Bay at our group offices and employees’ homes and transplanting them back into the bay every year. The program began at the Osaka Head Office and has since expanded to sites in Tokyo and Wakayama. We have transplanted 215 seedlings to date, which we estimate absorb 241 kilograms of CO2* per year.
- Estimated based on the Guidebook for Estimating CO2 Storage in Seagrass and Seaweed Beds published by the Japan Fisheries Research and Education Agency.
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Raising Eelgrass Seedlings -
Transplanting Eelgrass -
Eelgrass
Biodiversity Initiatives
Participating in the 30by30 Alliance for Biodiversity
The 30by30 Alliance for Biodiversity was established as a voluntary coalition of the Ministry of the Environment and other government agencies, corporations, and NPOs to achieve the domestic goal of 30by30, an international commitment to preserve 30% or more land and sea as healthy ecosystems by 2030. The KONOIKE Group agrees with the purpose of establishing the Alliance and will contribute to securing a healthy ecosystem and realizing a sustainable society through NbS*, which will lead to simultaneous resolution of economic, social, and environmental issues in the region.
- Nature-based Solutions
Businesses That Contribute to the Environment
Industrial Waste Recycling Business
At the KONOIKE Group, we are developing a recycling business for industrial waste aiming for both industry growth and environmental preservation. Group company Eco Innovation Inc. has built the Perfect Recycling System*, which effectively leverages customer-owned resources while generating zero waste. At ASR Recycling Kashima Co., Ltd., we established a unique system for retrieving resources from hard-to-separate industrial waste without producing any secondary waste. By leveraging limited, precious resources effectively, we support our customers’ businesses from an environmental standpoint and contribute to the global environment.
- Perfect Recycling System: A technique used for recycling industrial waste that contains iron, zinc, carbon, etc., without generating secondary waste. This system uses an RC resource circulation furnace to take waste that would have previously been disposed of via landfill and recycle it into good-quality iron/zinc resources. The Company contributes to the reduction of fossil fuel use and CO2 emissions by using industrial waste that would normally be incinerated. We also reuse gas emitted during processing.
Helping Customers Develop Infrastructure for Decarbonization
The KONOIKE Group provides engineering services based on our technical capabilities developed over many years through contracting work in a variety of industries. In our contracting work, we have recently seen an increase in inquiries for infrastructure development for decarbonization. We help our customers decarbonize by providing a diverse range of services, from the installation of solar panels to the production and installation of tanks and piping for biomass power plants, air pollution control equipment, and energy-saving related facilities.
Tank and piping work for a biomass plant that the KONOIKE Group was involved in
Endorsement of Government-Promoted Environmental Measures for a Sustainable Society, and Promotion of an Environmental Management System
The KONOIKE Group endorses and has registered with the national movement Decokatsu. Decokatsu is a government-wide campaign aimed at creating a new, enriched lifestyle that contributes to decarbonization. We are committed to promoting decarbonization through initiatives within our business activities and through efforts in the work styles and lifestyles of each employee.
In addition, as part of our efforts to address the issue of marine plastic pollution, we actively support the Plastic Smart Campaign and engage in ongoing initiatives, including the Yodogawa river clean-up activities and similar efforts at various locations.
The group has acquired ISO 14001 certification and is working to reduce our environmental impact as required by international standards.
1.
Company: Eco Innovation Inc.
Registration number: JMAQA-E304
Certifying entity: Japan Management Association, Quality Assurance Registration Center
2.
Company: ASR Recycling Kashima Co., Ltd.
Registration number: JQA-EM6107
Certifying entity: Japan Quality Assurance Organization
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We acquired the Green Management Certification offered by the Foundation for Promoting Personal Mobility and Ecological Transportation under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism. This is just one recognition of our work to ensure transportation safety and reduce environmental impact.
Organizations with Green Management Certification
Konoike Transport Co., Ltd. 36 offices
Konohana Transport Co., Ltd.
Kanriku Co., Ltd.
Konoike Express Co., Ltd.
Japan Airways Co., Ltd.
Our Community Initiatives
Supply Chain Initiatives
As part of our supplier engagement, the KONOIKE Group has held briefings and surveys since FY3/2023 for primary transport and work subcontractors at each business site. These sessions share information on environmental initiatives and wider social trends. By FY3/2024, we had surveyed 453 companies on matters such as the existence of environmental policies, targets, and regulations, and whether they measure energy use and CO2 emissions.
The KONOIKE Group intends to continue regular communication with our partners to strengthen engagement.
Yodogawa River Clean-Up Activities
The Yodogawa riverbed cleaning activity began in 2012 in the Denpo district (currently Konohana Ward, Osaka) which is the district where the KONOIKE Group was founded. Only 30 employees participated in the first cleaning activity. Now, nearly 120 people participate, including local residents. In recognition of the efforts of the KONOIKE Group, we received the River Protection Achievement Award in 2020 from the Yodogawa River Office, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and the Tourism Kinki Regional Development Bureau.
Edogawa Clean-Up Activities
Since 2018, the KONOIKE Group has been conducting clean-up activities in Edogawa, Tokyo, where the Group opened its first sales office. We volunteer in the Komatsugawa Senbon Cherry Blossom Festival and the Komatsugawa Senbon Cherry Blossom Lovers’ Association Tree-Planting Event where we clean up the area and fertilize cherry blossom trees. In June 2023, we received the 2023 Commendation for Meritorious Service to the Campaign for a Better Environment* from the Edogawa Ward for our efforts to date.
Beautification Activities Around Business Locations
At the KONOIKE Group, we conduct beautification activities around our 155 business locations nationwide as part of our local community contributions. These activities include regular cleaning of sidewalks, waterways, and other areas near our facilities. In FY3/2025, a total of 13,140 participants contributed 1,890 hours to these efforts.
Some of these long-standing initiatives have been recognized by local governments, with letters of appreciation awarded for our contributions. Additionally, we collaborate with local residents and client companies in some of these activities, fostering stronger ties with the communities we serve.
Environmental Contribution Activities through Donations
The KONOIKE Group engages in various donation activities at its business locations nationwide. Representative initiatives include the Eco Cap Movement and Food Drive.
The Eco Cap Movement involves collecting plastic bottle caps and donating them to NPOs and other organizations. This initiative promotes recycling, reduces CO2 emissions, and contributes to medical support in developing countries, as well as employment promotion for people with disabilities and the elderly, through the proceeds from selling the caps. In FY3/2025, we collected and donated 400 kg of caps, equivalent to approximately 190,000 plastic bottles. By recycling, we also prevented the emission of approximately 1.4 ton of CO2 that would have been generated during incineration..
The Food Drive involves collecting surplus food from households and donating it to local food banks and other support organizations for people in need, such as child cafeterias and welfare facilities. This initiative also helps reduce food waste. In addition to donations from employees’ households, the KONOIKE Group donates emergency food supplies stored at its business locations. In FY3/2025, we conducted 8 donation drives, providing a total of approximately 1 tons of food.
