Background of Environmental Rating and Japan's Future Direction

摘要

Under the Kyoto Protocol, Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Targets were set for each country in order to counteract the global environmental problems that are becoming more and more serious. These are not mere targets but are obligations that each country must fulfill. Concerted efforts are now beginning to be made to attain these goals. Business organizations are now asked by many interested parties to consider not only their financial success but also the pressing environmental issues that often accompany their industrial operations and to act morally, with responsibility and in a socially acceptable way. It was in 1999 when the Nikko Eco Fund was established as the first Japanese Eco Fund, active investment to benefit business organizations that are making significant efforts concerning environmental issues. Subsequently, 5 other companies have started to offer similar funds, the total assets of which are now about 200 billion yen. In Europe and North America, SRI (Socially Responsible Investment) has been popular because of its environmental and moral soundness. The total fund assets in the U.S. went up 36 % between 1999 and 2001 and have now reached 2 trillion dollars. British SRI total assets were 4 billion pounds in the summer of 2001.