Hiratsuka, Japan—The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd. announced today that on March 6 it held its 12th Panel Discussion on Biodiversity as an online event. Panelist Dr. Kaoruko Kurata, Professor at Yokohama National University’s College of Education and Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, and moderator Dr. Tetsuya Kitazawa, Director of Ecology Path Inc. and Lecturer at Edogawa University, exchanged views on the theme “Nature Positive* Initiatives through Collaboration between Communities and Companies” with Yokohama Rubber Group employees and a widely diverse group of participants representing local governments, companies, NPOs, and civic groups participating from 121 locations around Japan.
* A concept and goal that promotes halting the loss of biodiversity and putting it on a recovery track.

Yokohama Rubber’s Panel Discussion on Biodiversity is an annual event that serves as an opportunity to consider the importance of biodiversity conservation. Following the keynote speech by Dr. Kurata titled “Creating a Well-Being Society from the Perspective of Biocultural Diversity,” this year’s event introduced biodiversity conservation activities of the Yokohama Rubber Group. As a specific example, activities such as the removal of invasive species and maintenance of the grounds at Kameyama Satoyama Park, a Nature Symbiosis Site, were presented. These activities are carried out by Kameyama Bead Company, Limited, a tire bead* manufacturing and sales subsidiary, under a support agreement with Kameyama City, Mie Prefecture, and were presented with the participation of a city official. The presentations were followed by a lively discussion that enabled all participants to deepen their understanding of biodiversity conservation activities.
* A ring-shaped component of a tire that secures it to the wheel.

Following the announcement of a new global goal of being nature positive at the 15th Conference of the Parties (COP15) to the Convention on Biological Diversity in December 2022, activities toward achieving a nature positive world have accelerated worldwide, including Japan’s formulation of a concrete action plan to contribute to achieving these goals. Yokohama Rubber fully endorses these activities and since January 2023 has been an active participant in the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD) Forum and the 30by30 Alliance for Biodiversity. Yokohama Rubber initiatives to conserve biodiversity in its value chain include activities at its sites around the world, such as YOKOHAMA Forever Forest tree-planting events, activities to monitor and conserve water quality and flora and fauna, and awareness-raising activities for local residents. The company is also promoting agroforestry at natural rubber farms.

Under the slogan for sustainability management “Caring for the Future,” Yokohama Rubber is creating shared value by addressing social issues through its business activities.