Abstract

Biodiversity Initiatives in Suntory Natural Water Sanctuary

Tomoyuki ICHIDA

Sustainability Management Division, Suntory Holdings Limited

 To ensure the safety, security, and sustainability of groundwater, Suntory Group has been cultivating forests in the watersheds around our plants as Suntory Natural Water Sanctuaries to nurture groundwater. These forests recharge more than twice the amount of water withdrawn by our plants in Japan.

 Forests that nurture pristine groundwater are also rich in biodiversity. When the forest ecosystem is restored, the flora and fauna also begin to thrive in new ways. Suntory Group systematically manages its Natural Water Sanctuaries through ongoing ecosystem monitoring of flora and fauna, including birds. Considering how wild birds are a barometer of environmental health, we have experts conduct annual wild bird surveys to furnish a broader understanding of the changes taking place in the entire supporting ecosystem.

 We have expanded our Natural Water Sanctuaries to 26 locations in 16 prefectures throughout Japan, which in total cover more than 12,000 hectares. In these sanctuaries, we promote forest conservation activities in cooperation with regional governments and local forestry officials.