Epson/WWF Collaborate Restore Forests Promote Sustainability

Seiko Epson Corporation has announced a new three-year global partnership with the conservation organization WWF, with a focus on restoring and conserving forests worldwide. This marks a historic collaboration for a Japanese corporation in the electronics and precision instruments sector, and builds upon the ongoing relationship between the two organizations, which began in March 2022 with joint efforts to protect marine life in Southeast Asia.

Based on a shared ambition to tackle common environmental concerns, the partnership will encompass three objectives:

1. Addressing Epson’s environmental footprint,
2. Supporting WWF’s forest restoration and conservation projects in seven countries in four regions, and Communicating about environmental issues.

Epson, a global electronics and precision instruments corporation, has partnered with the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) for a three-year collaboration aimed at restoring and conserving forests around the world. The partnership, which builds on their existing cooperation in marine conservation, marks the first of its kind for a Japanese corporation in the electronics and precision instruments sector.

To support the initiative, Epson has pledged to contribute 240 million Japanese Yen (approximately 97 million Pesos) over the next three years, starting in March 2023, towards WWF’s forestry projects. The partnership will see Epson support forest conservation efforts across several Deforestation Fronts, and work towards sustainability in their supply chain as a participant in WWF’s Forests Forward program.

Epson and WWF will also promote the responsible use of forest resources, including paper, in business operations, as well as activities that contribute to a circular economy and future considerations for freshwater ecosystem conservation.

Yasunori Ogawa, global president of Epson, expressed his delight in signing the partnership with WWF, stating that the collaboration reflects Epson’s commitment to environmental conservation, waste reduction, and sustainable resource use. The company has pledged to become carbon negative and eliminate non-renewable underground resources by 2050, and is rolling out initiatives to achieve decarbonization and close the resource loop.

The partnership between Epson and WWF is a significant step towards accelerating private sector efforts to prevent the degradation of nature, said Sadayosi Tobai, CEO of WWF-Japan. The two organizations are committed to restoring threatened forests within and beyond Epson’s supply chain by improving forest management and restoring nature.

Details about Partnership Activities

Forest conservation projects implemented by WWF-Japan

WWF Japan is dedicated to preserving forest ecosystems in regions experiencing deforestation, including Southeast Asia and South America. They are also working towards a sustainable shift in the production of agriculture, forestry, and livestock products, which are leading causes of deforestation, and promoting sustainable usage in Japan as a significant consumer country.

Working to conserve rare tropical forests and peat swamps that are home to wildlife such as tigers and orangutans. The surrounding forests are decreasing due to the extraction of raw materials for paper manufacturing and palm oil production. Credits: ©︎ Anton Vorauer/WWF

Developing activities to promote sustainable agriculture. In addition to forest conservation and other environmental concerns, we aim to help improve the livelihoods of small-scale farmers. (Southeast Asia Mekong region) Credits: ©︎ WWF-Japan

(1) Deforestation Front

Deforestation and forest degradation have undergone changes in terms of their causes, pace, and scale. The relationship between different causes of deforestation and their impact on forests differs across regions. A range of measures have been introduced globally to curb deforestation and forest degradation. Despite some progress in halting forest loss and degradation, the rates of both continue to be a cause for concern. According to a report by WWF, 43 million hectares of forest were lost in “deforestation fronts” in 24 countries between 2004 and 2017. For additional information, please refer to WWF’s Deforestation Front projects.

(2) Forests Forward

WWF’s initiative, Forests Forward, works towards involving businesses, local communities, and other essential stakeholders in modifying the assessment, preservation, management, and revitalization methods of forests for the benefit of nature, people, and the climate. To learn more about Forests Forward, visit https://forestsforward.panda.org/.

(3) Circular Economy

The circular socio-economic system operates differently from traditional mass production and mass disposal business models by recycling limited resources and using them for as long as possible, thereby eliminating waste. Products and services are designed from the initial development stage to significantly reduce the use and disposal of new resources.

Epson and WWF Marine Conservation in Southeast Asia

Epson and WWF-Singapore joined forces in 2022 to launch an initiative aimed at restoring coral and mangrove ecosystems in Southeast Asia. The project focuses on restoring marine ecosystems in Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Singapore, and mangroves in the Philippines. By partnering with local stakeholders and institutions, the project aims to build capacity among local communities to manage and maintain their coastal resources in the long term. These efforts support and restore marine ecosystem health, which is essential for human survival. In addition to the ongoing marine conservation efforts, Epson and WWF will also launch forest conservation activities in Borneo and Sumatra Islands to protect biodiversity on land and underwater, contributing to the restoration of both ecosystems at a larger scale.

Epson Philippines and WWF-Philippines Projects

Museo Kalikasan, launched in May 2022

The virtual museum “Museo Kalikasan” is an interactive platform that can help deepen the Filipinos’ understanding of climate and environmental issues.

Museo Kalikasan has a goal of making learning about the current state of the planet a fun and interactive experience for everyone. The virtual museum addresses climate change through an immersive three-dimensional simulation that provides engaging and easy-to-understand explanations on important topics. The museum also emphasizes human impact on the environment and the ongoing destruction of our planet.

Designed primarily for Filipinos, Museo Kalikasan employs a unique and visually appealing interface that is simple to navigate. The platform showcases three educational biomes: the Arctic, the Tropics, and the City. Each biome explores various themes related to biodiversity, ecosystems, and climate change, providing virtual experiences and perspectives unique to each theme.

• The Arctic biome of Museo Kalikasan features stunning landscapes of ice and snow, highlighting the unique habitat and biodiversity of this region. Users can appreciate the beauty of the Arctic while also learning about the devastating effects of global warming on endangered species. This biome emphasizes the urgency of taking action against climate change to protect the fragile ecosystem of the Arctic.
• The Tropics biome provides a glimpse of the unique biodiversity found in both the tropical terrestrial and marine ecosystems, showcasing vast drylands and deep bodies of water. The biome delves into the impact of climate change on various tropical habitats and organisms worldwide, emphasizing how this issue continues to pose a significant threat to the Tropics.
• The City biome features urban landscapes and cutting-edge technology that users are likely familiar with, highlighting the significance of sustainable living as a crucial part of the One Planet Lifestyle. The biome sheds light on persistent global issues such as waste management and pollution, and offers practical examples of various solutions that individuals can easily implement in their daily lives.

Upon completing the virtual tour, visitors are encouraged to take action by committing to various sustainable lifestyle practices and advocacies through signing a pledge board. This simple yet powerful step can lead to significant changes.

The virtual museum is part of Camp Kalikasan, an online portal that provides educational materials in various easy-to-understand formats such as stories, comic strips, games, puzzles, and videos that cover a wide range of environmental topics. These include habitat conservation, marine protected areas, biodiversity conservation, watersheds, rivers, lakes, and mangroves, as well as climate change mitigation, renewable energy, low carbon cities, climate risks, and sustainable consumption and production, which encompasses food waste, plastic, and finance.

Marine Ecosystem Restoration in Palawan, launched in September 2022

Epson Philippines has partnered with WWF-Philippines to support the Marine Ecosystem Restoration Project in the southern tip of Palawan. The project aims to improve the capacity of the local community to take care of the mangroves and address environmental concerns such as solid waste and plastic waste management. The project covers the municipalities of Balabac and Bataraza, which are known for their high conservation value due to their diverse wildlife and habitat types.

The Marine Ecosystem Restoration Project is part of the wider European Union-funded Ocean Governance Project, which focuses on restoring habitat resilience in the Sulu Sulawesi Seascape. With Epson as a key partner, the project has been able to expand beyond Balabac and into Bataraza. WWF-Philippines plans to establish a ‘Community Learning and Innovation Hub’ in partnership with local government and key stakeholders, including Epson Philippines, to bridge knowledge gaps and strengthen resource management in coastal communities. Epson Philippines’ commitment to supporting sustainable innovations and initiatives to solve global challenges underscores the growing partnership between the company and WWF-Philippines.