Involvement with External Initiatives
Commitment to External Initiatives
Advantest is supporting measures aimed at the realization of a sustainable society through its sponsorship for and participation in various domestic and international statements and guidelines.
Advantest Joins UN Global Compact
In May 2019, Advantest announced its participation in the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC), a global sustainability initiative.
The UNGC is a special initiative of the UN Secretary-General which encourages companies and organizations to exert responsible and creative social leadership and to participate in creating a global framework for sustainable growth. Companies and organizations that join the UNGC are required to make a commitment to ten universal principles in the four areas of human rights, labour, environment and anti-corruption.
Our corporate mission is to enable leading-edge technologies. We aim to contribute to a sustainable future and to the safety, security, and comfort of the general public, while striving to resolve social issues by achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are common issues for all humanity specified by the United Nations in 2015.
The Ten Principles of the UN Global Compact
○ Human Rights
Principle 1: Businesses should support and respect the protection of internationally proclaimed human rights; and
Principle 2: make sure that they are not complicit in human rights abuses.
○ Labour
Principle 3: Businesses should uphold the freedom of association and the effective recognition of the right to collective bargaining;
Principle 4: the elimination of all forms of forced and compulsory labour;
Principle 5: the effective abolition of child labour; and
Principle 6: the elimination of discrimination in respect of employment and occupation.
○ Environment
Principle 7: Businesses should support a precautionary approach to environmental challenges;
Principle 8: undertake initiatives to promote greater environmental responsibility; and
Principle 9: encourage the development and diffusion of environmentally friendly technologies.
○ Anti-Corruption
Principle 10: Businesses should work against corruption in all its forms, including extortion and bribery.
Announcement of support for the recommendations of the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD)
In April 2020, Advantest announced its support for the recommendations of the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosure (TCFD)*1. We analyze the risks and opportunities posed by climate change on our business from the perspectives of strategy, risk management, and governance and globally deploy proactive measures. We also promote the enhancement of information disclosure based on the recommendations of the TCFD to achieve sustainable growth for the Advantest Group, enhance corporate value, and foster a sustainable society.
*1 Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD)
A task force established in December 2015 by the Financial Stability Board (FSB), an international organization. In its final report issued in June 2017, the TCFD recommended that companies disclose information on the financial impacts of climate-related risks and opportunities.
Participation in RE100
In August 2020, Advantest participated in RE100*2, an international initiative that aims to procure 100% renewable electricity for its energy consumption in business activities.
Expanding the adoption of renewable energy is essential to achieve 100% reduction of CO2 emissions, which is one of our long-term goals related to climate change. By participating in RE100, which tackles the social issue of climate change on a global scale, we are promoting the further utilization of renewable energy with other participating companies.
*2 RE100
An international initiative led by The Climate Group, a climate-related non-profit organization, in partnership with CDP, a non-profit organization that promotes global information disclosure and actions concerning environmental impacts. It was established in 2014. The number of participating companies is 248 globally and 35 from Japan (as of July 29, 2020).
RBA Code of Conduct
In its business operations, Advantest respects the stipulations of the Responsible Business Alliance Code of Conduct drawn up by the Responsible Business Alliance (RBA), a leading electronics industry supply chain CSR alliance, and promotes measures that take labour, health and safety, environment, and ethics into account.
Response to the Conflict Minerals Issue
Advantest participates in the Responsible Minerals Trade Working Group established by JEITA*, and is implementing various measures, in collaboration with industry bodies, to help tackle the conflict minerals issue.
*JEITA: Japan Electronics and Information Technology Industries Assosiation
Main Activities in Fiscal 2019
The Advantest Group has reviewed its materiality and sustainability targets and key performance indicators (KPI), and has started specific activities for achieving the goals set for fiscal 2020. Going forward, we will promote activities throughout the entire Group which will clearly connect to results based on trends of ESG investments and other factors.