AEON Ranked First Overall in the 5th ESG Brand Survey

AEON Ranked First Overall in the 5th ESG Brand Survey

AEON has been selected as the overall winner in the 5th ESG Brand Survey, which assesses companies’ brand images based on four key elements: Environment (E), Social (S), Governance (G), and Integrity, the latter representing a company’s reputation for honesty. This marks the first time AEON has achieved the top ranking.

The ESG Brand Survey is conducted through an internet-based questionnaire, targeting the ESG activities of 560 major corporate brands. The results are based on responses from approximately 21,000 individuals, including consumers and business professionals.

AEON received high evaluations in several areas, particularly in its environmental image for efforts such as “promoting the efficient use of resources, including plastic reduction,” “focusing on recycling and waste reduction,” “working to protect nature and biodiversity,” and “emphasizing environmental education for employees.” In addition, the company earned strong recognition in the integrity category, notably for its contribution to “creating a better society through achieving the SDGs,” leading to its first overall top ranking in the survey.

Here are examples of AEON’s initiatives.

Here’s the English translation of the provided text:

■AEON’s “Hometown Forests” (Since 1991)
AEON has been creating forests with local tree species to foster environmental awareness and create spaces where the community can come together. The initiative includes measuring the CO2 absorption capacity of the forests and conducting biodiversity surveys of birds. Additionally, AEON uses an app for the “AEON Hometown Forests Biodiversity Survey.” In fiscal year 2023, 735 customers participated at 87 stores, identifying over 1,042 species of plants, insects, birds, including rare and non-native species.

■AEON’s Bring-Your-Own Shopping Bag Campaign (Since 1991)
In 2007, AEON discontinued the free distribution of plastic bags in food sections and, ahead of the 2020 legislation, stopped offering them for free in all sections in April 2020. Over 80% of customers now bring their own bags. In 2023, aiming to further reduce plastic bags, AEON ceased offering paid plastic bags in apparel and household goods sections and began providing environmentally friendly paper bags for customers who need them.

■AEON’s In-Store Resource Collection (Since 1991)
To prevent valuable resources from being discarded, AEON collects paper cartons, food trays, aluminum cans, and PET bottles at store locations, in collaboration with customers and local governments. Some stores have installed machines to collect paper and PET bottle resources, offering WAON points to customers who participate. As of February 2024, these machines have been introduced in approximately 380 locations, mainly in areas where resource collection is less frequent.

■AEON Cheers Club (Since 1996)
The AEON 1% Club Foundation provides experiential learning opportunities for elementary school students, primarily at AEON stores nationwide, to foster interest and critical thinking about nature and the environment. In fiscal year 2023, 4,467 children in 420 clubs across Japan participated in activities such as wildlife surveys and cultural experiences. Additionally, in 2023, the “Cheers Farm” was opened, allowing children to systematically learn about agriculture through hands-on experiences from sowing to harvesting.

■AEON’s Yellow Receipt Campaign (Since 2001)
The Yellow Receipt Campaign connects customers who wish to support local volunteer groups with these organizations, helping communities. Since 2012, the campaign has also been implemented by AEON China, and from 2015, AEON Thailand and AEON Cambodia have followed suit.

■AEON Heartful Volunteer Program (Since 2022)
Building on the knowledge gained from the support activities for the recovery from the Great East Japan Earthquake, AEON employees and local communities collaborate through the “AEON Heartful Volunteer” program to address regional issues. The initiative promotes clean-up activities for marine plastic waste in 10 regions across Japan and supports farming volunteer efforts.

■”Choose the Present, Connect to the Future” Fair (Since 2024)
In collaboration with its business partners, AEON holds fairs in stores nationwide to communicate the value of environmentally friendly products and services with a focus on sustainability. Working with stakeholders, AEON promotes environmental activities that customers can participate in through their daily shopping.

Source: AEON pressrelease October 7th 2024