Noritake Lanka Porcelain Private Limited | Asia Responsible Enterprise Awards
 


“Save the Next Generation” through Knuckles Forest Protection and Conservation


Noritake Lanka Porcelain Private Limited



INTRODUCTION

Noritake Lanka Porcelain Private Limited’s “Save the Next Generation” project was recently launched to promote greater environment responsibility to restore lower montane forests at Knuckles forest conservation in Sri Lanka. This project has given tremendous boost to protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystem, combat desertification and climate change, and halt and reverse land degradation and half biodiversity loss. The main objective of this project is to protect and conserve Knuckles forest to combat climate change while the sub objective is to enhance biodiversity of Knuckles forest by up to 50% by 2050. To add on to that, the protection for clear and perennial waterways, clouds and exquisite fauna and flora in Knuckles mountain range and to create livelihood opportunities through ecosystem services. Not only that, this project is a preparation to educate the future generations on forest protection and conservation and to enhance the Company’s active voluntary participations on forest protection and conservation activities.

FRAMEWORK AND STRATEGY

The Company sets a policy framework and methodology through their Environmental Management System (EMS) to help the Carbon Footprint Project. The Company has established an environmental protection promotion system by having their Managing Director as the environmental protection supervisor and other top management experts from various external institutions came together to join this project. The Company’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) project are aligned with the Company’s corporate sustainability strategies framework and the “Save the Next Generation” project will promote greater impact on the carbon footprint programme and is one of the activities that will benefit to sustain and accelerate the Company’s business innovations towards attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

ACHIEVEMENT AND IMPACT

Even though the “Save the Next Generation” project has not given significant impact right now, it is evident that there is some change that has taken place in relation to pre-restoration condition. There is a big impact on the socio-economic such as livelihood opportunities and income generation, social recognition of community around the forest, social integration and community goodwill and sustainable education. On the other hand, the impact this project had ecologically is an increase in biodiversity in Knuckles forest, an increase in carbon sequestration and also a kick-start to increase the cover density of the forest.

FUTURE DIRECTION

The Company’s corporate motto reveals that even though the conservation of the environment as a key issue for management, many other key factors are to be taken into account for the achievement of a sustainable society through the Company’s business activities. Focusing especially on global warming, the Company continually engage in the reduction of energy usage in order to reduce carbon dioxide emission that the Company emits through the production of tableware. The Company’s CSR programme identified eight of SDGs, to focus on clean water and sanitation, affordable and clean energy, decent work and economic growth, industry, innovation and infrastructure, reduce inequality, sustainable consumption and production, climate action, and life below water.
Noritake Company Ltd is headquartered in Japan, Lanka porcelain commenced their operations in Sri Lanka in 1972. Representing the Noritake global family in Sri Lanka, the Company has evolved into Noritake Lanka Porcelain Private limited, a new giant in the porcelain industry, earning a reputation in an international market for standard and quality. Noritake began manufacturing Western style tableware for export in 1973. For over 47 years, they have delivered tableware to dining tables in every corner of the world.