CDP^*, a non-profit organization that conducts international environmental research and information disclosure, gave AEON MALL an A- rating, one level higher than the score of B we received last year. This upgrade recognizes our strategy and response to climate change. This year's survey covered more than 9,600 companies that disclosed information on their strategies and responses to environmental issues through CDP. Companies were rated on an eight-point scale from A to D- and the results were announced publicly. Institutional investors use these results to make investment decisions.

Under the supplier engagement rating conducted by CDP, a non-profit organization that conducts international environmental research and information disclosure, AEON MALL was recognized for our efforts to combat climate change throughout our supply chain, as well as for our activities to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. CDP awarded us the highest rating of Supplier Engagement Leader Board for the first time.

AEON MALL received the 5 Star (highest) rating in the 2021 GRESB Real Estate Evaluation for the second consecutive year. The evaluation awards one of five ratings based on a global ranking. In addition, for the seventh year in a row, AEON MALL received the Green Star rating, which recognizes the company as an excellent participant in both the Management Component (which evaluates policies and organizational structure for ESG promotion) and the Performance Component (which evaluates the environmental performance of our properties and our efforts with tenants) of the evaluation.

The “ESG investment” approach not only considers financial information but also uses environmental, social, and governance measures (non-financial information) to determine the value of a company and make judgments for investments. At a time when this investment method is rapidly gaining popularity, major institutions that provide investment information to institutional investors select companies with high ESG ratings and calculate various indices based on the stocks of these companies, and our Company is selected as a constituent of these indices.

In March 2021, we obtained the Certified Health and Productivity Management Organization 2021 (large enterprises category) certification. The Certified Health and Productivity Management Organization Recognition Program is a system that recognizes enterprises that engage in excellent health and productivity management efforts under the auspices of Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan and Nippon Kenko Kaigi (Japan Health Council), based on regional health issues and health promotion measures implemented by Nippon Kenko Kaigi.

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government maintains a registry of businesses who work to raise awareness of barrier-free efforts. So-called Barrier-Free Support Companies endorse the idea of people of all mental and physical abilities communicating with and supporting each other for greater understanding. AEON MALL was also selected as an Excellent Example of a Barrier-Free Support Company, a designation given to companies in the registry that made particularly excellent progress. The government lauded AEON MALL for providing training in universal design and LGBT issues to employees, including employees at tenant stores. We were also recognized for sponsoring health and wellbeing events at our shopping malls.

AEON MALL Kofu Showa (Yamanashi Prefecture) obtained the S Rank in its CASBEE for Real Estate certification in March 2019. S Rank is the highest of the five ranks possible. CASBEE rates structures based on a comprehensive evaluation of environmental performance. Aspects reviewed include mitigation of environmental impact (energy and resource conservation and recycling performance) and consideration for the local landscape.

The purpose of this award is to recognize companies that are using the knowledge acquired through the Eco Test to engage in environmental activities and to publicize the results of said activities.
We are pleased to announce that we received this award in recognition of our environmental efforts during fiscal 2019.
Our medium-term environmental plan (2018-2020) includes a goal for all employees to obtain Eco Test certification. During fiscal 2019, approximately 500 employees obtained this certification. In Japan today, 1,327 employees, or approximately 80% of all eligible employees, have acquired this certification.

AEON MALL Zama (Kanagawa Prefecture) obtained certification as an Eco-Friendly Urban Project in August 2019. Among the many aspects winning praise, the mall has installed solar panels on its roof and walls, works actively to mitigate environmental impact, offers a convenient location on the premises for transit and local community buses, and serves as a disaster relief facility. Under this system, Kanagawa Prefecture certifies projects that build urban spaces in coexistence with the environment. The certification is based on the Outline for the Promotion of Model Cities of Environmental Coexistence in the Central Shonan Urban Area .

In accordance with Kyoto City Global Warming Countermeasures Regulations, Kyoto City has implemented a system for comprehensively evaluating emission reduction plans and reports submitted by specific business operators for the purpose of encouraging voluntary emission reduction of specific business operators whose greenhouse gas emissions have reached a certain scale. Our Company was selected as a Particularly Excellent Business Operator because of our excellent emission reduction results that can be taken as an example for others.

In July 2020, AEON MALL Futtsu (Chiba Prefecture) received the Reiwa 2 (2020) “Marine Day” Minister’s Commendation for Meritorious Service to Maritime Affairs from Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism of Japan for its biannual cleanup of Nunobiki Beach since 1998. The Company is awarded the General Collaborator for Making the Sea Clean, which recognizes an organization that has left remarkable results in service activities for marine environment conservation.

Japanese Red Cross Society has a system for recognizing companies that actively assist in its activities. AEON MALL Natori (Miyagi Prefecture), AEON MALL Rifu (Miyagi Prefecture), AEON Akashi SC (Hyogo Prefecture), and AEON MALL Ayagawa (Kagawa Prefecture) received the Testimonial from Japan Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare, which is awarded by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare of Japan based on the recommendation by Japanese Red Cross Society who values the performance of companies and organizations in blood donation activities nationwide in the recommendation. In addition, AEON MALL Ota (Gunma Prefecture) and AEON MALL Futtsu (Chiba Prefecture) also received Silver Award of Merit respectively in recognition of their achievements.

With the aim of raising awareness related to reducing general waste from business activities and the purpose of contributing to the construction of a recycling-oriented society, Akita City selects business operators that are particularly excellent at waste reduction, reuse, and recycling out of those with high waste generation volumes in the city and honors them as excellent business operators. AEON MALL Akita (Akita Prefecture) has been selected as an honored business operator for 3 consecutive years since FY2018. The amount of miscellaneous refuse generated in FY2020 was reduced to 74.7% of the amount generated in FY2019.

AEON MALL Ageo in Ageo City, Saitama Prefecture, became the first commercial facility in Japan to receive the global-standard WELL Health-Safety Rating for the mall’s COVID-19 response.

The WELL Health-Safety Rating, which is based on the findings of experts in public health and other fields, was established in June 2020 by the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI) and consisting of a WELL Health-Safety Rating. This is a global standard rating conducted by a third-party organization that examines the with-COVID-19 management and operation of facilities in consideration for the health and safety of visitors, employees, and others.

In 2017, we became the first Japanese company to participate in EV100^*.
As one measure to preserve the global environment and create sustainable societies, we are installing electric vehicle (EV) recharging stations at our malls to encourage the use of low-CO₂ electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids (PHV).

ABINC certification is a third-party evaluation and certification by the Association for Business Innovation in Harmony with Nature and Community (ABINC). The certification looks at biodiversity-conscious green space creation and other initiatives based on the Guidelines for Offices Promoting Symbiosis with Life Forms developed by the Japan Business Initiative for Biodiversity (JBIB).
AEON Mall is expanding the number of certified malls, and as of the end of February 2021, a total of nine malls have acquired certification. In addition, AEON MALL identified biodiversity as a company materiality, and we are working with local residents to protect ecosystems and engage in environmental preservation activities. We will continue to promote the creation of malls that coexist in harmony with nature and that offer abundant greenery.

DBJ Green Building Certification is granted by Development Bank of Japan Inc. (DBJ) based on a comprehensive evaluation system that includes not only the environmental performance of a property, but also consideration of the social demands of the various stakeholders surrounding the property.
In January 2021, AEON MALL Chiba New Town (Chiba Prefecture), AEON MALL Ogaki (Gifu Prefecture), and AEON MALL Mito Uchihara (Ibaraki Prefecture)^*1 received 4 stars under this system. AEON MALL Kyoto (Kyoto Prefecture)^*2 received the highest rating 5 stars. A total of 20 facilities have acquired this certification.

AEON MALL Tendo (Yamagata Prefecture) and AEON MALL Kurashiki (Okayama Prefecture) each received prizes at the sixth Local Community Contribution SC Awards, held in April 2019. The Japan Council of Shopping Centers bestows the award to shopping centers that strive for local revitalization and serve as essential hubs for local communities. Prize criteria is based on the Council’s guidelines regarding how shopping centers can contribute to the local community.

Okinawa Prefecture CO₂ Absorption Certification System is a system that evaluates and certifies the amount of CO₂ absorbed by forests through planting activities that are implemented according to plan by prefectural residents, municipalities, and enterprises. AEON MALL Okinawa Rycom (Okinawa Prefecture) was certified because its expected CO₂ absorption for the five-year period starting February 2021 through tree planting activities on the site is calculated to be 591,328kg-CO₂.