Skylark Group Biodiversity Policy
- Compliance with biodiversity treaties and laws
- Contribute to the conservation and restoration of forests and oceans
- Sustainable sourcing of raw materials through suppliers
Skylark Group endorses the "Nature Positive" concept and goal of halting and reversing biodiversity loss by 2030, as articulated in the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. Based on our risk assessment of the Group's dependence and impact on biodiversity and ecosystem services, we will work in collaboration with our suppliers and business partners, and promote engagement with nature-related stakeholders.
Furthermore, we aim to achieve a net positive impact by 2030, minimizing the negative impacts of our business activities on biodiversity and contributing to the improvement of the natural environment.
February 28, 2023
Approved by Group Sustainability Committee
Scope of Application
All businesses, suppliers, and business partners of Skylark Group.
Target
Respect for legally protected areas and contribution to the conservation and restoration of forests and oceans
We consider the following as one of our requirements when selecting suppliers
- No exploration or development in protected areas
- No negative impact on endangered or protected species
- Ensure FPIC (free, prior, informed consent) of indigenous peoples
- No trade in species regulated by CITES
In addition, we will promote efforts to conserve forests and oceans as a measure against climate change.
We will work with suppliers to end the loss of forest and ocean resources and promote sustainable use of resources for future regeneration.
Policies and Initiatives for Preventing Deforestation
Skylark Group recognizes the serious impact that deforestation in the production process has on the global environment, and we are dedicated to preventing large-scale deforestation and promoting the procurement of sustainable raw materials.
While ensuring compliance with laws and regulations on deforestation prevention, we strive to source sustainable raw materials based on strict procurement standards that consider the environment, society, and human rights, and contribute to biodiversity. We advance initiatives to minimize the burden of our business activities on forest resources, such as promoting paperless operations and actively using certified paper.
Specific initiatives include the active adoption of FSC/PEFC certified products for our paper goods, such as paper straws, wooden cutlery, and copy paper. The coffee served at Gusto, our main restaurant format, and other formats is a blend containing 30% Rainforest Alliance Certified beans. Furthermore, we are changing the blend of our frying oil to reduce the proportion of palm oil and are in discussions with our suppliers to introduce RSPO-certified palm oil. We also plan to develop new production areas to increase the proportion of domestic vegetables and rice sourced from producers with JGAP certification or equivalent farm management standards.
In June 2022, we obtained ISO20400 certification, the international standard for sustainable procurement, for some categories, and in September 2023, we obtained certification for 18 categories of foodstuff procurement operations under the jurisdiction of the Foodstuff Purchasing Group, and others based on "Details of Compliance with Certification and Registration (Details)".
December 10, 2024
Approved by Group Sustainability Committee
Scope of Application
All businesses, suppliers, and business partners of Skylark Group.
ISO20400
＊ISO 20400 certification is a private certification of JUSE.
ISO 20400:2017 "Sustainable Procurement - Guidance" is a guidance standard focused on the "sustainable procurement" of organizations. Sustainable procurement is procurement that seeks to minimize the environmental, social, and economic impacts of an organization's activities or products and services throughout their life cycle, and provides more value to the organization by improving productivity, assessing value and performance, enabling better communication among all stakeholders, including purchasers and suppliers and by encouraging innovation, thereby providing more value to the organization. By engaging in sustainable procurement, we can address not only Q (quality), C (cost), and D (delivery time), but also a wide range of risks, including environmental, human rights, and country risks.
Guidance Certification for Sustainable Procurement (ISO20400)
（Click to Enlarge）
| Registration Type |
Sustainable Procurement — Guidance |
| Applicable Standards |
ISO 20400:2017 |
| Registration Number |
JUSE-SC-001 |
| Registered Organization |
Supply Chain Purchasing Division (Purchasing Policy Group and Purchasing Group)
SKYLARK HOLDINGS CO., LTD. |
| Top Management |
Nobuyuki Katayama,
Executive Officer Managing Director of Supply Chain Purchasing Division |
| Address |
1-25-8 Nishikubo, Musashino-shi, Tokyo |
| Registered Range |
Procurement of 18 categories of foodstuffs under the jurisdiction of the Purchasing Group, and other specified in list of registered facilities |
| This Certification Is Valid From |
June 16, 2022 - June 15, 2025 |
| Date of Initial Certification |
June 16, 2022 |
| Reissuing Date |
September 27, 2023 |
Coffee from Rainforest Alliance-Certified Farms
Musashinomori Coffee
FSC/PEFC Certified Products
Skylark Group Animal Welfare Policy
Skylark Group agrees with the concept of the "Five Freedoms" outlined by the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH)* and will promote animal welfare-conscious procurement activities in cooperation with its suppliers.
The Five Freedoms
- Freedom from hunger, thirst and malnutrition
- Freedom from fear and distress
- Freedom from physical and thermal discomfort
- Freedom from pain, injury and disease
- Freedom to express normal behavior patterns
We will engage in the following procurement activities in consideration of animal welfare.
- Comply with laws and regulations regarding animal welfare
- Strive to engage in dialogue with stakeholders on animal welfare
- We give consideration to animal welfare in procurement of raw materials.
June 18, 2024
Approved by Group Sustainability Committee
※An intergovernmental agency established in Paris, France in 1924 with the signatures of 28 countries to improve animal health worldwide.
Japan became a member in 1930. Its activities include the formulation of international standards for animal hygiene and zoonosis.
Scope of Application
All businesses and suppliers of Skylark Group.
Examples of Activities
Efforts to Strengthen Animal Welfare Initiatives
We view the improvement of animal welfare in our supply chain as an important issue, and we are working to address it.
Strengthening Cooperation with Suppliers
Using our own CSR checklist, we conduct on-site interviews with suppliers to confirm the status of their animal welfare initiatives. Based on the interview results, we aim to build a sustainable supply chain together with suppliers by identifying specific activities and systems related to animal welfare and identifying priority risks by type.
Procurement of Raw Materials in Consideration of Animal Welfare
In the area of beef, one of the commodities identified by the Science Based Targets Network (SBTN) as having a large impact on nature, we are working with our suppliers to procure Uruguayan beef.
Uruguay, where 80% of the land is farmland and pastureland, has been producing beef as the country's core industry for more than 400 years. Each cow is allotted an area as large as two soccer fields (approximately 200 m2) for grazing, and no growth hormones are administered during fattening, so livestock production is carried out in consideration of the natural environment and animal welfare. TNFD's LEAP approach analysis also confirms that Uruguayan beef is more nature-friendly in terms of “biodiversity and ecosystem safety.