── Could you tell us how you found out about Zeroboard and why you were considering introducing the calculation system?

Ms. Atsuko Kato (hereinafter referred to as Ms. Kato):Following the wishes of the executive in charge, I was transferred from the ISO department.With then-directorI was responsible for launching the Sustainability Promotion Department. I attended an exhibition in the summer of 2023, listened to a Zeroboard seminar, became interested, and visited their booth for the first time.

The main reason we started considering a GHG calculation system was that around 2015 we began receiving requests from customers to disclose emission amount. Until then, we had been responding by inputting activity data into Excel files sent by customers. However, this method did not allow us to calculate emissions that fully reflected our actual situation, so we wanted to understand accurate emission amount based on our own standards and use them for disclosure.

The system + consulting fee is attractive! Value lies in the careful support that matches your pace and the connections between users

── Can you tell us why you chose Zeroboard?

Mr. Kato:After comparing the Service of three companies, we decided to introduce Zeroboard. We knew we would need consulting services, so when we looked at the total price for the system and consulting, the balance between the Contents and the service was the most appealing. We were also attracted by the fact that Zeroboard actively holds seminars, and that users can connect with each other through the Community "All Aboard""All Aboard!", where they can learn about the initiatives of various companies.

Our company has acquired ISO14001 certification (an international standard for environmental management systems (EMS)), and Energy data was already compiled internally. By Import this data, we wanted to systematize calculations and create a system that could be linked across the entire company.

Rie Kawawa (hereinafter referred to as Mr. Kawawa ):In terms of functionality, in addition to calculation, it also manages environmental indicators.I also wanted to tackle this issue, so I thought it would be possible to address that as well.What was appealing about it was the variety of functions available.

-- You introduced it to calculate Scope 1 to 3. How do you feel about actually using it and receiving support?

Mr. Kato:We introduced it in November 2023, and because the Energy data was already compiled, we were able to complete calculations for Scope 1 and 2 in two to three months. We used accounting data for upstream Scope 3, but the person in charge at the time provided us with very detailed support in determining what was and wasn't necessary, which allowed the calculations to proceed smoothly.

Mr. Kawawa:Currently, I am mainly in charge of calculating downstream Scope 3 emissions. The Sustainability Promotion Department has been busy focusing on ESG issues in general. We are very satisfied with the consulting support provided by Ogawa-san, who is in charge of support and is in tune with our pace. He is also someone who is comfortable saying "I don't understand," and is easy to consult with, so he has become an indispensable presence for us now (laughs).

For downstream Scope 3, we have received support in developing scenarios and have completed calculations to grasp the overall picture, but our next Issue is to improve accuracy.

Mr. Kato:We would also like to begin refining the upstream aspects of Scope 3, which we have not yet been able to tackle. Since we need to work with our business partners, we believe that activity to gain their understanding will be important.

Mr. Kato (left) and Mr. Kawawa (right) answering questions during an interview

Disclosure of emission amount to customers creates a competitive advantage, and disclosure in securities reports fosters trust. Zeroboard makes it easy to handle external disclosure

──Have you started to resolve the Issue you had originally?

Mr. Kato:We have yet to calculate our Carbon Footprint of Products (CFP), but European customers have already requested disclosure. It will take time to obtain the data, and it is difficult to calculate at this point. However, since not being able to provide the data could impede business transactions, we are disclosing estimated data that is apportioned based on the calculation results for the entire organization so that our sales department can provide smooth explanations.

Kawawa: In the case of one European customer, when submitting a quote online, the system would not open unless the GHG emission amount were entered as a quantitative figure. That's how important emission amount are.

Mr. Kato: Given this background, we would like to first narrow down the target products and then start CFP calculations from there.

Mr. Kawawa: Zeroboard allows you to work on calculations without any special system know-how, and to disclose the data that is currently required. In the securities report, we were able to achieve highly reliable disclosure by indicating that "calculation results were made using a visualization system," which is more accurate than if we had done it ourselves.

Mr. Kato:This term, we became part of the same organization as the ISO department with which we had been working for some time, and by utilizing the Energy data that had been compiled, we were able to establish an efficient system for calculating emission amount. Specifically, we established an efficient internal collaboration system in which we obtain Energy data from the ISO department, enter that data into Zeroboard, and calculate emission amount.

However, there is still not enough understanding within the company as to "why we need to start calculating GHG emission amount now." Therefore, we are working to spread awareness within the company by holding "Environmental Sustainability Conferences" and other such events.

We have introduced Zeroboard to put in place a calculation system and will begin disclosing GHG emission amount from our securities report for fiscal 2023. We will disclose Scope 1 and 2 reduction targets for our domestic location in our interim report for fiscal 2024, utilizing the target Settings function of Zeroboard .

--Now that the calculations have been completed, what efforts are you making to reduce costs?

Mr. Kato:Last year, in addition to energy-saving activity at each location , we replaced lighting with LEDs and updated the air conditioning equipment at the head office under the policy of "Let's do what we can." In the future, when it becomes difficult to reduce electricity further, we would like to consider switching to green electricity.

In addition, because we are a Manufacturing company, we will continue to take steps to reduce electricity consumption while increasing productivity, such as by reducing overtime, introducing more efficient machinery, and reducing waste.

KEL's main business is connectors

Connector assembly line

An encounter in the Community "All Aboard" leads to mutual cooperation. Aiming to increase corporate value by addressing material issues across ESG domains

--You mentioned the Community "All Aboard""All Aboard!" as a deciding factor in your decision to adopt the service, but did you have any new realizations or encounters through it?

Kawawa: I'm always amazed at how many new features are added at the regularly held new feature introduction briefings. The features are constantly being improved based on user feedback, so we're looking for new features that we can use in our company. This is something I'd like to discuss with Mr. Ogawa, who is in charge of support.

Another big attraction is the ability to build horizontal connections with other user companies in the same position. We've met other companies in the same region through "All Aboard!" and have talked about working together on community contribution activity. We also once held a card game called "2030 SDGs*" as part of our internal awareness activity, and invited someone from another company we met through "All Aboard!" to act as a facilitator. We're grateful to see our circle expanding in this way.

Group-wide decarbonization and future prospects

--That 's a wonderful connection! I'm glad that the Community has become an opportunity for users to connect with each other. Finally, could you tell us about your future outlook for promoting sustainability?

Kato: When we launched this department, we formulated a "sustainable vision." We are activity in line with materiality in the ESG area.

In terms of the environment, decarbonization and resource circulation are important themes that are being requested by stakeholders, and we are working to address these Issue. In terms of society, we are also working on employee satisfaction, health management, diversity, and human resource development, aiming to improve corporate value. While dividing up roles with related departments such as human resources, we work together to do what we can at the Sustainability Promotion Department.

Our environmental efforts began when we obtained ISO certification. We are now part of the same organization as the ISO department, with each department having an ISO department manager. This year, together with the ISO department, we revamped our environmental policy for the first time in 20 years. It is based on four pillars: "reducing waste and promoting energy conservation," "environmentally friendly product development, Manufacturing, and sales," "contributing to the conservation of the natural environment," and "raising environmental awareness and engaging in transparent activity." This time, we have newly touched on the natural environment. We hope to also contribute to the conservation of the rich natural environment of Tama City, where our headquarters is located.

The two of them were deeply involved in revamping the environmental policy, which is posted in various places around the company so that everyone can be aware of it.

--I hope to continue to be of assistance to you. Thank you for today.

(*) Card game "2030 SDGs": A game jointly developed by Imakocollabo General Incorporated Association and Project Design Company, in which participants experience the journey from now until 2030 to achieve the 17 SDGs.

The Contents provided is based on an Contents conducted in June 2025.