4-15. Learning from Best Practices: Advanced EHS Case Studies from Global Companies

Global corporations are leading the way in environmental, health and safety (EHS), and sustainability initiatives. Their best practices serve as a valuable reference for many other companies. An EHS strategy that goes beyond mere legal compliance to enhance corporate value and gain stakeholder trust is becoming increasingly important. Here, we will organize examples of leading global EHS practices and explain the key takeaways for Japanese companies.

1. Characteristics of Global EHS Strategies

Multinational corporations establish "global standards" that transcend the legal differences of individual countries. A key characteristic is their use of international standards like ISO 14001 and ISO 45001 as a foundation for their own proprietary EHS guidelines, which they then deploy throughout their entire supply chains. Additionally, top management integrates EHS into their business strategy, with progress being monitored by the board of directors.

2. Specific Best Practice Examples

• Apple: The company imposes strict environmental standards and human rights due diligence on its supply chain. It has also released a public roadmap for introducing renewable energy and achieving carbon neutrality.

• Unilever: It has a clear sustainable sourcing policy and publishes an annual "Sustainability Report" that integrates EHS data, earning high trust from investors and consumers.

• Toyota Motor Corporation: In addition to reducing its environmental impact, Toyota enforces a strong safety culture at all its global locations. It operates a global system for sharing near-miss incidents to help prevent accidents.

• Microsoft: The company has set a goal of becoming carbon negative (reducing more carbon than it emits) and uses AI to analyze EHS data, balancing employee safety management with environmental impact reduction.

3. Common Success Factors

What these companies have in common is that they view EHS not as a "cost," but as an "investment." The success factors are transparent information disclosure, dialogue with stakeholders, the adoption of cutting-edge technology, and the consistent implementation of global standards. The expansion of ESG investing, in particular, has made EHS a key indicator that influences a company's valuation in the capital market.

4. Implications for Japanese Companies

A key challenge for Japanese companies is to build an EHS management system that goes beyond domestic regulations and aligns with international standards. It's especially important to deploy these standards across the entire supply chain and use data to inform business decisions. By linking EHS initiatives with international ESG reporting standards (GRI, SASB, ISSB), companies can increase their credibility in the global market.

5. Summary

The leading EHS practices of global corporations are not just about regulatory compliance; they are a source of corporate competitiveness and brand value. Japanese companies must learn from these best practices and strategically promote EHS to strengthen their international competitiveness and achieve sustainable growth.