Business News
Ricoh Helping to Lead the Way to Zero Impact Growth
Monday 20. August 2012 - Ricoh has been recognised by global consulting firm Deloitte as one of the top global organisations ready for a 'green and inclusive economy'. Deloitte researched the sustainability activities of 65 leading companies in 10 industries, for its first 'Zero Impact Growth Monitor 2012'. Only 6 companies, less than 10 per cent from the total sample, reached a level on which they are ready to take radical steps to transform their industries towards a 'green economy'. The report highlights that the majority of the companies are still vague about their strategic growth ambition.
Ricoh is identified as reaching the Ecosystem level of sustainable business, joined by Puma, Nike, Nestlé, Unilever and Natura. This means it is recognised as one of the pioneering companies that have set measureable and ambitious mid- to long-term targets beyond 2020. It has also embedded its sub-policies in a holistic strategic vision of its attempt to minimise its negative environmental and societal impacts. Furthermore a business in the Ecosystem level is in the process of establishing sustainable business ecosystems and creating truly shared value by also involving its suppliers and other stakeholders in its actions.
Ricoh has been focused on minimising its natural and societal impact for many years. It was Ricoh’s founder that first acknowledged the importance of CSR for the company more than 70 years ago. He made a commitment to social sustainability in every aspect of Ricoh’s business activities to innovate on behalf of its customers and to pursue sustainable business practices. Today Ricoh strives to be a company people are proud to work for, going beyond compliance to encourage responsible growth wherever possible. By linking its commitment to forward-thinking business strategies, it promotes development that is profitable and sustainable at customer sites as well as its own operations.
Ricoh does this through a range of offerings within its Total Green Office Solutions. For example, The Ricoh Sustainability Optimisation Programme, available as a part of Ricoh’s Managed Document Services enables medium to large organisations to reduce environmental impact and Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) by more than 30 per cent, govern the sustainable performance of their business documents, and neutralise any remaining, unavoidable carbon emissions. In addition a Carbon Balanced Printing service is available specifically for commercial printers.
Ricoh has also set long term reduction targets to 2050, whereby, the Ricoh Group is committed to reducing the total lifecycle CO2 emissions from FY2000 level by 87.5%.
In addition Ricoh’s ethos to go beyond simply meeting regulatory requirements is highlighted by its unique Eco-boards in London, New York and Sydney. The objectives of these billboards are to communicate a message that prompts environmental awareness among the public and to encourage everyone to take a step towards a sustainable society. Each relies on at least natural energy to illuminate. If there is insufficient solar power, the sign may not light up which is an eventuality Ricoh readily accepts, in order to deliver its message.