Sophia School Corporation endorsed “Investor Statement on Deforestation and Forest Fires in the Amazon” to face the crisis of the Amazon in responding to a call made by Principles for Responsible Investment(PRI) supported by UN.

This statement was made expressing deep concern for the escalating crisis of deforestation and forest fires in Brazil and Bolivia and calling for business leaders to recognize the crucial role that the tropical forests play in tackling climate change, protecting biodiversity and ensuring ecosystem.

230 investors representing approximately $16.2 trillion in assets are now endorsing the statement. The statement is making an urgent request to those of investee companies to redouble their efforts and demonstrate clear commitment to eliminating deforestation within their operations and supply chains by taking actions as such:

1. Publicly disclosing and implementing a commodity-specific no deforestation policy with quantifiable, time-bound commitments covering the entire supply chain and sourcing geographies.
   
2. Assessing operations and supply chains for deforestation risk and reduce this risk to the lowest possible level, disclosing this information to the public.
   
3. Establishing a transparent monitoring and verification system for supplier compliance with the company’s no deforestation policy.
   
4. Reporting annually on deforestation risk exposure and management, including progress towards the company’s no deforestation policy.
   

We joined UN Global Compact(UNGC) in May 2015, committing to contribution toward global sustainability issues.Furthermore, in order to implement the principles of UNGC in our investment management practice, we signed PRI on Nov 1, 2015 and has taken steps to proceed sustainable investment since then. Our endorsement for the statement represents our solid commitment for PRI and to act upon the global issues all of us face.

Link to the statement including lists of investing companies