[Japanese to English translation provided by the Business & Human Rights Resource Centre.]

...We recognize that climate change is a critical issue as it is a serious problem that threatens the stability of our society and the environment on a global scale and across generations. In light of global efforts to mitigate climate change, we have reviewed our policy on climate change and aim to make the Group carbon neutral by 2050.

(The Group's policy on climate change)

https://www.sumitomocorp.com/ja/jp/sustainability/environmental-management/climate (Jpn)

https://www.sumitomocorp.com/en/jp/sustainability/environmental-management/climate (Eng)

...With regards to our thermal coal mines business, it is our policy to limit our equity share coal production to our current level and desist from new mine development projects. 

...With regards to our power generation business, we will continue to provide a stable supply of energy that is essential for economic and industrial development in local communities. At the same time, we are continuously shifting our management resources to renewables and other energy sources for a power generation portfolio with lower environmental burden.

...We will not develop new coal-fired power generation projects. However, we will make decisions about new development projects on an individual basis in cases where they are essential to the economic and industrial development of a local community and where they comply with the policies of the Japanese and host country governments, as aligned with international initiatives and developments on climate change mitigation...

...We will continue to pursue renewable energy projects if we can secure a stable fuel source and gain the understanding of the local community that may be impacted by these projects.

Furthermore, the wood pellets used for biomass fuel are sourced with forest certification...

We purchase biomass fuel only after confirming with our suppliers that it is produced from legal, sustainable wood, thus playing a key role as a major importer of biomass fuels...

Moreover, we have not used palm oil as a fuel in the past and do not plan to do so in the future.

...In response to Mighty Earth's point, we have organized internal working groups on this issue across departments. Furthermore, we have engaged in business activities around biomass fuel by extensively exchanging opinions with business partners in this industry. These partners include relevant authorities such as the Agency for Natural Resources and Energy, power generation companies that are consumers of biomass fuel, producers of biomass fuel, and certification companies that conduct various analyses and audits...