Welcome to EPOC
The Environmental Partnership Organizing Club (EPOC) was founded in February 2000 by industry leaders in central Japan. Since its establishment, laws for recycling resources have been enacted and a large number of corporations have achieved zero-emissions targets. At the same time, public concern about global warming has grown and it is imperative that prompt action to deal with this issue be taken. New demands for initiatives to protect biological diversity are also expected as a result of the Tenth Meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP 10) on Biological Diversity, which was held in Nagoya City and other locations in Aichi Prefecture in 2010.
Central Japan is a major manufacturing center with a high concentration of companies from all three sectors of the economy. EPOC members come from a broad range of sectors and firms both large and small. The organization's activities bring together a diversity of firms 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's Vision for 2020, a document that serves as a guideline for its activities up to 2020, was built on the organization's achievements and shaped by new social demands for protecting the environment. Since last year, our programs have been undertaken in line with the motto Creating a Sustainable Economy and Society through the realization of low-carbon targets, recycling of resources, and coexistence with nature.
In the future EPOC will step up its efforts to preserve the environment through strengthened ties among EPOC members and the society as a whole. We believe that our operations will play an important 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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