Ricoh concludes a Positive Impact Finance Loan Agreement
Continuous high evaluation of the Ricoh Group's proactive ESG initiatives
Tokio, June 10th 2024 – Ricoh and Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank, Limited (“Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank”) have concluded a “Positive Impact Finance (with unspecified use of funds)” loan agreement for syndication method, a financing mechanism in which multiple financial institutions provide loans, that is in line with the Principles for Positive Impact Finance*1 released by the United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative (“UNEP FI”). This is the third year to conclude this agreement since 2022.
Positive Impact Finance (“PIF”) is intended to support corporations' activities that comprehensively analyze and evaluate their impacts (both positive and negative) related to the environment, society, and the economy. The most notable feature of PIF is that the degree of contribution from corporate activities, products, and services in achieving Sustainable Development Goals is used as an evaluation indicator and monitored based on publicly disclosed information and supports corporations' activities to achieve these goals through engagement.
Positioning ESG initiatives as “essential initiatives for generating future finances,” Ricoh has identified seven material issues in two areas, “Resolving social issues through business” and “Robust management infrastructure,” to support materiality. Out of the 16 ESG targets linked to the identified material issues which the progress is being disclosed, five were being evaluated: Zero-Carbon Society, Circular Economy, Community and Social Development, Responsible Business Process, and Diverse and Inclusive Workforce. To ensure the transparency and objectivity of the evaluation, Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank obtained a third-party opinion*3 from Japan Credit Rating Agency, Ltd.
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The Principles for Positive Impact Finance was developed by UNEP FI in January 2017 as a financial framework for achieving the SDGs. Companies disclose the level of contributions to achieving SDGs through KPIs. Banks then provide funding by evaluating the positive impact observed from these KPIs that is intended to guide the borrowers to increase positive impact and reduce negative impact. The lending bank, as a responsible financial institution, will check if the impact is continuing or not by monitoring the indicators.
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The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is an executive body for implementing the “Human Environment Declaration” and the “International Environmental Action Programme” established in 1972 as a subsidiary body to the United Nations system. UNEP FI represents a broad as well as a close partnership between UNEP and more than 200 global financial institutions. Since its establishment in 1992, UNEP FI has been working in concert with financial institutions and policy/regulatory authorities to transform itself into a financial system that integrates economic development and ESG considerations.
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For information on Japan Credit Rating Agency, Ltd., please visit: https://www.jcr.co.jp/en/greenfinance/
