PwC Japan Group
January 16, 2024
The PwC Japan Group (Chair: Koichiro Kimura) and executive leaders of Japanese companies continue their commitment to sustainability through the ongoing Executive Sustainability Forum (hereinafter, the Forum). The Forum, consisting of the 13 member companies, published the ‘Joint Statement on the Circular Economy and Carbon Neutrality’ during the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting underway in Davos, Switzerland.
ASEAN member states are among the world’s fastest growing economies, yet their economic resilience is increasingly threatened by population growth, resource depletion, unsustainable patterns of raw material consumption and climate change. A new model of regional economic growth is needed—one that is not reliant on mass resource consumption and waste disposal.
We believe a circular economy aimed not only at reducing waste throughout manufacturing processes and product lifecycles, but also creating new value and markets, can support the region’s economic development, address global environmental challenges and achieve a carbon neutral ecosystem.
Initiatives rooted in developing an understanding of the region’s situation are essential to help build a circular economy and carbon neutral ecosystem in ASEAN.
The Executive Sustainability Forum has prepared a joint statement that follows three rounds of meetings held since the Forum’s launch in November 2022. Based on the Forum’s mission of exploring a new model for reframing growth in ASEAN, the joint statement consists of a proposed framework for achieving a circular economy and carbon neutrality, the Forum’s own contribution toward achieving this, and statements from each member company detailing their own sustainability management initiatives.
In 2023, Japan and ASEAN celebrated 50 years of friendship and cooperation. The Forum member companies believe their broad economic presence in the ASEAN region and technological capabilities make them uniquely positioned to undertake impactful change, and they are committed to the realisation of a circular economy (specifically material, carbon and bio-circularity), which underpin the global economy.
In addition, a research report by PwC Japan Group, “Towards Sustainable Growth in ASEAN - Circular Economy Research Report 2024” is also released at the same time.
Contents of Joint Statement on the Circular Economy and Carbon Neutrality
- Mission Statement
- Why we’re committed to building a Circular Economy and Carbon Neutral Ecosystem in ASEAN
- Overview of the Circular Economy Framework
- Overview of the Executive Sustainability Forum and its activities
- Achievements and Future Prospects
- Statements from Executive Sustainability Forum Members
- Collaboration with Supporting Companies and Organisations
- Global Executives and Experts Express High Hopes for the Executive Sustainability Forum
Overview of the Forum
- Founder: PwC Japan Group
- Founding member corporations and their representatives (in Japanese alphabetical order; honorifics omitted)
| Ajinomoto Co., Inc. Member of the Board, Representative Executive Officer, President & CEO |
Taro Fujie |
| Japan Bank for International Cooperation Governor |
Nobumitsu Hayashi |
| JERA Co., Inc. Global CEO and Chair |
Yukio Kani |
| The Dai-ichi Life Insurance Company, Limited Representative Director, President |
Toshiaki Sumino |
| Teijin Limited President and CEO, Representative Director of the Board |
Akimoto Uchikawa |
| Development Bank of Japan Inc. Deputy President |
Mitsuru Ota |
| Nomura Holdings, Inc. President and Group CEO |
Kentaro Okuda |
| Fujitsu Limited Representative Director, CEO |
Takahito Tokita |
| Honda Motor Co., Ltd. Director, President and Representative Executive Officer, CEO |
Toshihiro Mibe |
| Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Holdings, Inc. Director, President Executive Officer |
Toru Takakura |
| Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. President & CEO |
Seiji Izumisawa |
| Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group Member of the Board of Directors, Chairman |
Kanetsugu Mike |
| PwC Japan Group Group Representative |
Koichiro Kimura |
- Forum meetings: To be held twice annually (planned)
Further Activities in the Future
The Forum will contribute to the development of a circular economy and carbon neutral ecosystem in ASEAN by creating opportunities for constructive discussions with regional and global leaders and share key learnings necessary to further expand the scope of discussions. Guided by stakeholder feedback on these discussions and shared learnings, the Forum will aim to help realise a circular economy and carbon neutral ecosystem. Together with the people of ASEAN, the Forum are committed to creating a better future for the region by balancing economic growth with solutions to environmental and social issues.
Executive Sustainability Forum, Joint Statement on the Circular Economy and Carbon Neutrality
https://www.pwc.com/jp/en/services/sustainability-coe/executive-sustainability-forum/assets/pdf/joint-statement.pdf
PwC Research Thought Leadership, Towards Sustainable Growth in ASEAN - Circular Economy Research Report 2024
https://www.pwc.com/jp/en/knowledge/thoughtleadership/assets/pdf/circular-economy-report.pdf
Executive Sustainability Forum Top page
https://www.pwc.com/jp/ja/services/sustainability-coe/executive-sustainability-forum.html
About PwC
At PwC, our purpose is to build trust in society and solve important problems. We’re a network of firms in 151 countries with nearly 364,000 people who are committed to delivering quality in assurance, advisory and tax services.
About the PwC Japan Group
The PwC Japan Group is a collective name for the member firms of the PwC global network in Japan and their affiliates. Each firm within the PwC Japan Group conducts its business as a separate, independent business entity.
In response to our clients’ increasingly complex and diverse corporate management issues, the PwC Japan Group has put in place a system that consolidates our knowledge in the fields of auditing and assurance, consulting, deal advisory, tax and legal services, and encourages organic collaboration among our professionals in each field. As a professional services network with approximately 11,500 certified public accountants, tax accountants, lawyers and other professional staff, we strive to provide services that more accurately address our clients’ needs.
