Initiatives for Biodiversity Conservation

Starting on November 1, 2020, CITIZEN WATCH has been conducting Eco Tree ACTION program in which a mangrove* seedling is donated through the international NGO, NICE if a customer chooses not to need a box to put a watch in when purchasing a CITIZEN brand watch.

Under this program, approximately 25,000 seedlings were donated in FY2023, and approximately 25,000 boxes are equivalent to approximately 2.2 tons in terms of CO₂ emissions (equivalent to the annual CO₂ absorption of approximately 155 cedar trees).

Mangroves absorb a large amount of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and contribute to the prevention of global warming, which is considered a factor in climate change. The planting of mangroves helps not only protect the diversity of many species living in brackish water, but also the livelihoods of people living in coastal areas.

• * Plants that grow in brackish water areas where seawater and freshwater are mixed are collectively called “mangroves.”

At CITIZEN FINEDEVICE’s Kitamomaki Plant (Tomi-shi, Nagano Prefecture), one of the habitats for large shijimi blue butterfly, Shijimiaeoides divinus, which is listed as a class I endangered species, we are working as a member of the local “Protection Group for Shijimiaeoides divinus.” We have participated in the group’s conservation activities since 2003 by planting the bean plant “Clara” on the premises, which is a food plant for the butterfly, and by making efforts to maintain the habitat, including pest control. We are working on conservation activities by conducting field burning, which is carried out for the purpose of exterminating natural enemies for the butterfly such as moths and bees. We also sponsor “parent-and-child observation events” to deepen the understanding among the local community, open our grounds and facilities to the public, and attract many participants, not only from the neighborhood but also from outside the prefecture.

• Introduction to CITIZEN FINEDEVICE’s conservation activities

In addition, CITIZEN MACHINERY’s property is home to rare species and plants, such as Lycaeides argyrognomom and Formica yessensis, both of which are on the Red List of the Ministry of the Environment. Since the site was certified as a “natural symbiosis site,” a biodiversity conservation area designated by the Ministry in February 2024, we have been implementing conservation activities under the leadership of the Sustainability Promotion Team.

In 2019, as a local disaster prevention measure, aging plants were removed, and the site was greened to meet the ratio of greening stipulated by the Factory Location Act. This is the beginning of the “CITIZEN Forest.” In 2021, it received the first Good Design Award as a Works, and in 2023, it also received the SEGES (Social and Environmental Green Evaluation System) “Growing Green Excellent Stage 1” certification.

From the perspective of improving the wellness of employees and the local environment, greenery is composed of native species that form the miscellaneous trees in the Musashino area. We provide comfortable places for birds and insects to fly in and out considering the ecological network. We will continue our efforts to maintain the greenery and coexist with nature and living creatures based on the planting management plan.

• News Release: The Tokyo Works, CITIZEN WATCH headquarters received the “Growing Green” certification of the Social and Environmental Green Evaluation System (SEGES) (Japanese only)