Sustainability and ESG in Action: Konica Minolta’s Commitment to a Better Future

At Konica Minolta, we are passionate about driving meaningful change in the areas of sustainability, diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I). Our recent global DE&I event, “Sustainability & Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) in Action,” brought together more than 300 participants from 35 countries to explore the pressing topics shaping our collective future.

This inspiring event was opened by our President and CEO, Tom Taiko, and moderated by Milan Lakhani, Director of Transformation and Partner ESG in BEU. With a panel of thought leaders from top clients, the capital markets and Konica Minolta’s leadership, we delved into expectations, goals and challenges tied to sustainability and environmental, social and governance (ESG) initiatives. Let’s explore the key takeaways from this impactful discussion:

A Client’s Perspective: Michael Colarossi, Avery Dennison

Michael Colarossi, Head of Enterprise Sustainability at Avery Dennison, shared how sustainability is an emotional issue that connects employees and communities alike. He emphasized that for companies like Konica Minolta and Avery Dennison, sustainability is not just a value—it is a business imperative.

Discussion Highlights:

Balancing Metrics with Emotion: By supporting community involvement, Avery Dennison’s foundation contributed over $5.5 million in 2023.

Investor Trends Shaping Sustainability:

• Scope 3 Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Prioritize cutting emissions by fostering collaboration across the supply chain.
• Shift from DE&I to Demographics: Broaden the focus to include wider population trends affecting the workforce and customer base.
• Transparency and Regulatory Preparedness: Emphasize transparency in supply chains and product impacts and ensure readiness to respond to regulatory changes.

Together with our clients, we at Konica Minolta strive to collaborate within a broader ecosystem to tackle challenges such as developing circular models, enhancing transparency and minimizing waste.

Capital Market Expert Opinion: Dr. Reich, Consultant in Sustainable Finance and initiator of the first Sustainability Index in 2007: The GCX

As a pioneer in sustainable finance, Dr. Reich shared valuable insights on how capital markets view ESG efforts.

Discussion Highlights:

• Sustainable funds are reaching $3.5 trillion in assets, and they reach a median return of 1.7% compared to traditional funds’ 1.1%
• Investors are focused on risks, opportunities, and concrete results. They are eager for ESG-comparable data, which is why they are anticipating the implementation of the CSRD in Europe. The key recommendation is that we should recognize the CSRD as an essential reporting tool for our investors.
• Investors assess commitment, goals, and action plans, but they also look for tangible results that follow. Avoiding greenwashing is essential; transparency and accountability are critical to sustaining investor trust.
• Social Impact: While there is no single global standard for social metrics, DE&I efforts are increasingly seen as indicators of long-term success. Investors expect companies to extend their influence beyond internal goals to include supply chain and societal impact.

Konica Minolta Leadership Outlook: Ken Itamoto, General Manager, Corporate Planning Division at Konica Minolta, Inc. (KMI)

Under the leadership of Ken Itamoto, General Manager of the Corporate Planning Division at Konica Minolta, Inc. (KMI), the organization is redefining success by aligning its business goals with sustainability objectives. Here’s how Konica Minolta is driving positive change while pursuing growth:

• Turning Challenges into Opportunities: Konica Minolta views social and environmental challenges not as obstacles, but as opportunities to innovate and grow. This approach reflects its commitment to contributing to a sustainable society.
• Integrating Sustainability into Strategy: Sustainability is at the core of Konica Minolta’s management strategy. Addressing social and environmental challenges as business opportunities.
• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DE&I): Recognizing the value of a diverse and engaged workforce, Konica Minolta aims to:
  • Achieve 26% women in management roles by 2030 and enhance overall employee engagement scores as a marker of inclusivity and workplace satisfaction.
• Transparent Environmental Accountability:
  • Environmental targets are integrated into Konica Minolta’s Medium-term Business Plan, ensuring progress is monitored and verified through third-party assurance for credibility and accountability.
• Ambitious Goals for 2030 and Beyond: Konica Minolta has set measurable targets under five material issues, including:
• Achieving net-zero CO2 emissions by 2050, with interim goals for 2030.
• Reducing natural resource use by 90%.
• Supporting broader societal and client emissions reductions through a “CO2 reduction contribution” initiative.

Building a Sustainable Future Together:

At Konica Minolta, we believe that the journey toward sustainability and impactful ESG practices is a collaborative effort. Through events like “Sustainability & ESG in Action,” we reaffirm our commitment to fostering innovation, transparency and shared value. By uniting thought leaders, clients and stakeholders, we are creating actionable strategies to address the pressing challenges of our time.

As we continue to integrate sustainability into our core operations, we remain focused on ambitious goals, from achieving net-zero emissions to driving DE&I initiatives and advancing transparency across supply chains. Together, we can build a future where businesses not only thrive but also contribute meaningfully to society and the environment.

We encourage our partners, customers and employees to keep pushing boundaries and inspire change—because a better tomorrow starts with the actions we take today. Learn more about how Konica Minolta prioritizes global sustainability here.

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