Welcome to EPOC
The world in which we live is rapidly changing, and industry is coming under growing pressure to implement stricter and a wider variety of environmental measures. In the decade since the Environmental Partnership Organizing Club (EPOC) was founded, new laws for recycling resources have been enacted and global warming has come to be viewed by the public as a major social problem. Last year, the new Japanese administration led by the Democratic Party of Japan set a much higher target for reducing carbon dioxide emissions, and prompt action must be taken to achieve this. Meanwhile, the Tenth Meeting of the Conference of the Parties on Biological Diversity (COP10) will be held in Nagoya City and other locations in Aichi Prefecture in 2010, and the event is expected to add momentum to the demands for initiatives to protect biological diversity.
EPOC was founded in February 2000 by industry leaders in central Japan, a region with a high concentration of companies from all three sectors of the economy and a major manufacturing center. EPOC members come from a broad range of sectors and firms both large and small. The organization's activities bring together companies of all sectors and sizes, as well as private citizens, government administrators, universities, research institutions, and other parties. Various efforts to preserve the environment have been undertaken by the organization, and substantial progress has been achieved. EPOC's cross-sectional activities are without parallel anywhere else in Japan, and we believe they are extremely worthwhile.
EPOC recently formulated Vision for 2020 as a guideline for its activities over the next decade. Our organization's basic principle, as described in the document, is to “use the environmental expertise cultivated by companies to create a sustainable economy and society in which the concepts of low-carbon targets, recycling, and coexistence with nature are fully integrated.” The document also delineates a shift in the basic thrust of our operations from the dissemination of knowledge to more practical action.
In the future EPOC will step up its efforts to preserve the environment in line with these principles. We believe that our operations will play a role in making central Japan an environmental leader internationally and realizing a sustainable economy and society, where the needs of the environment and industry are met.
EPOC's activities are, true to its name, grounded on the partnership of its member companies. Your cooperation is essential to meet the diverse needs of society and for the future development of EPOC. I would like to conclude by asking for your continued understanding, support, and active participation in our activities.
Shun Matsushita
EPOC Chairman
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| Organizational Objectives |
| With industry-based environmental opinion leaders at the core of its activities, EPOC will seek to realize eco-efficiency, make available information on environmental measures in central Japan, and work to create a globally outstanding environmentally advanced region and a safe and pleasant recycling society. |
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- Promotion of ecological action in society as a whole
- Enhancement of ecological awareness among the public
- Dissemination of information to encourage ecological action
- Undertaking of international exchange activities to promote ecological action
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| The EPOC's Principal Activities |
- Environmental Management
Seminars, visits, and study sessions on a low-carbon society and a society in harmony with nature are held to enable member companies to understand trends, form mid-to long-term management goals, and enhance environmental management.
- Society in Harmony with Nature
Case studies are undertaken on the impact of corporate activities as a whole on the ecosystem, efforts to reduce this burden, measures to ensure the sustained use of the benefits yielded by the ecosystem, and other facets of the relationship between the ecosystem and corporate operations in the aim on supporting member companies' efforts in this field. （From this fiscal year.）
- Sound Material-Cycle Society
In the aim of making central Japan into a material-cycle society, study groups and tours are organized to enable member companies to exchange information and acquire new knowledge and expertise. Various questions of new technology and businesses are reviewed by joint panels of businesspeople, government administrators, and researchers. Information on reducing, reusing, and recycling resources （“3Rs”） and other environmental issues are organized and made available to the public to encourage the creation of innovative recycling businesses.
- Low-Carbon Society
Innovative programs and technologies for creating a low-carbon society are examined and introduced. Information on initiatives to stem global warming that transcend sector and type of operation are also collected and made available to enhance expertise and foster exchanges and collaboration among member companies.
- Community Exchanges
The planning and bestowal of the Aichi Environmental Award is one of the main channels for publicizing environmental initiatives. Lectures open to the public and exchanges open to all member companies are organized to ensure the award ceremony is a springboard for future action. The achievements of award winners are made known and efforts to publicize and promote their environmental actions are supported in the goal of making central Japan a global leader on environmental issues.
- Youth Education
Lectures on the environment and tours using the educational resources and facilities of member companies are organized to support education on the environment for children at elementary schools, junior high schools, and other institutions. EPOC also collaborates with local government organizations to undertake a wide range of activities to enhance environmental awareness.
- Overseas Exchanges
Japan's environmental initiatives are introduced and a dialogue on environmental issues is fostered by organizing exchanges with institutions that accept trainees from abroad and environmental organizations both in Japan and overseas.
- Activity reports
Reports on EPOC's achievements are compiled and distributed in the aim of fostering its activities in society.
- Dissemination of information
The latest information on the environment and EPOC's activities are introduced on our Web site to raise environmental awareness in various business sectors and enhance the scale of the efforts.
- Meetings
Corporate leaders devoted to environmental issues are invited to lecture on ecological management at our annual general assembly. Discussions on mid-and long-term activities unfold at the board of directors and executive committee held biannually.
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