“I think one of the most interesting things we have is a policy plan that looks ahead to the year 2100 and at what our role as a company will be, which is really thinking long term.” – Fujitsu’s Global Executive VP for Sustainability, Alison Rowe.
EMG spoke with Alison Rowe, about the journey the company has taken to achieve such success in sustainability, and how they are using technology for the greater good.
What is Fujitsu’s CSR journey? When did the company embark on that journey, and what were its early roots that Fujitsu still follows today?
Definitely one of the reasons I joined Fujitsu was because of its long term heritage in environmental sustainability. It goes all the way back to 1938 when there was a deliberate environmental business case put forward around the building of the original manufacturing plant in Kawasaki, Japan. Before its construction, they asked questions about what the building of that site would mean from an environmental point of view, with regards to such things as biodiversity loss, and they calculated a deliberate program and built the factory with a natural environment. If you go there today it’s quite amazing. You wouldn’t think that you’re walking into a manufacturing site; it feels like walking into a nature park. There is flora, fauna and a purpose built lake. And it shows just how ingrained sustainability has been in the company since its foundation. There have been many milestones since then, such as the setting up of our Environmental Management Committee in 1993, which has helped with the development of a whole range of sustainable products and services.
However, I think one of the most interesting things we have is a policy plan that looks ahead to the year 2100 and at what our role as a company will be, which is really thinking long term. Part of that comes from the culture of Japan, and its desire to live in harmony with nature, which is all about the long term view and not a quick, short business cycle. So that cultural aspect is definitely an influence. We have a concept that’s called the “Fujitsu Way” which is very much our DNA and how we operate. Environmental sustainability is at the core of that, and then the role of technology for a safe, prosperous society going forward, is our high level vision. We believe that following that vision and that principle of long term thinking – and using technology for greater good – is our core business; then revenue and the financial side will follow.
To read the complete article click EMG speaks with Cool IT Sustainability at Fujitsu.