Biodiversity Conservation

Importance of Biodiversity Conservation and IPBES Report Suggestions

Biodiversity is fundamental to the well-being of humanity, a healthy planet, and the economic prosperity of all people. Not only do we depend on biodiversity, but also biodiversity underpins all systems of life on Earth. The IPBES^*1 Global Assessment Report on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services, published in 2020, suggests that many of the approximately one million species face extinction within the next few decades. In June 2021, the G7 Cornwall Summit adopted the G7 2030 Nature Compact and declared the need for a nature-positive approach to reverse nature loss by 2030.

In operating its business, Honda benefits from natural resources. In addition to the procurement of raw materials, Honda depends on and affects a great deal of natural capital throughout its value chain, from research and development to manufacturing, use, and disposal.

Honda’s basic approach is defined as follows: “We recognize, under Honda’s Environment Statement, that biodiversity conservation initiatives are an essential part of our commitment to the preservation of the global environment. We will continue to work toward harmony between this commitment and our activities.”

Honda also recognizes the need for biodiversity-conscious actions in its relationship with nature. Based on this recognition, the Company carried out treeplanting and water-recycling initiatives at its plants in the 1960s and launched the Community Forest program in 1976. In 2011, the Company established the Honda Biodiversity Guidelines. In line with the Guidelines, Honda is working to avoid or minimize impacts on nature, including air, water, and biodiversity, as well as to conserve and restore them. In addition, the Company conducts biodiversity impact assessments.

Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services

See : Honda Biodiversity Guidelines

Priority Analysis for Biodiversity Conservation

Biodiversity Assessment around the Company’s Production Sites

Honda assesses the potential for its business activities to impact biodiversity using the Integrated Biodiversity Assessment Tool (IBAT), a biodiversity assessment tool.

The Company surveys its own 86 production sites around the world within a 50 km radius of each site to determine their proximity to areas inhabited by endangered species on the IUCN Red List.

In order to conduct specific biodiversity efforts, Honda uses indicators in IBAT such as the KBA^*2, WDPA^*3, IUCN^*4 Red List of Threatened Species, and STAR^*5 to conduct integrated assessments of the biodiversity risk of the production sites.

Honda will continue to identify priority sites and consider specific efforts to conserve biodiversity.

Honda assesses and identifies endangered species and priority sites in cooperation with BirdLife International Tokyo, a general incorporated association specializing in biodiversity assessment.

Endangered species assessment around the Company’s production sites

Number of species (total)	Endangered species category
Region	CR (Critically Endangered)	EN (Endangered)	VU (Vulnerable)
Japan	60	292	607
North America	75	187	294
Europe	62	136	305
Asia-Pacific excluding Japan and China	647	1,547	4,538
China	189	404	755
South America	29	97	212
Africa & Latin America	36	64	90
Total	1,098	2,727	6,801

Assessment of biodiversity priorities at the Company’s production sites

Biodiversity Assessment of Products

Products are made from a variety of materials, some of which may have an impact on biodiversity. Honda is therefore engaged in the primary assessment of the impact of materials used in its products on biodiversity. Based on the assessment results, the Company will conduct a more detailed analysis of materials that have a large potential impact, and consider ways to reduce the impact of its products on biodiversity.