The aim of participating corporations is to effectively integrate sustainability into corporate management.
By providing a platform to explore the frontiers of sustainability from a global perspective, TFN enables participating corporations to increase their positive impact on society while also generating new corporate value.

TFN Members

Current members are comprised of 13 sustainability leaders in Japanese industry, all with excellent sustainability initiatives

Managed by:

Overview of the Activity

The main objectives of our activities are:

• To analyze the changing situation of our world and hold direct dialogues with key global players
• To share ideas and hold thorough discussions among companies representing diverse industries
• To support the sustainability and CSR strategy planning of our member companies

▶ Our Focus Areas Since 2003

Workshops

We hold various meetings, inviting influential and visionary sustainability leaders to present on various topics, including climate change, shared value, human rights, and others.

▶ Some of the people we have invited

International Study Tours

Once a year, we go on a study tour to Europe or the US to visit leading companies, international and national institutions, and influential NGOs. This tour is usually accompanied by Mr. Takejiro Sueyoshi, the advisor to this Network and the special advisor to the UNEP Finance Initiative in the Asia Pacific region.

▶ Some of the places we have visited

Our focus areas since 2003:

2003 Environmental Scenario Planning

Created scenarios to answer the question: “What impact will global environmental problems have on society, lifestyles, and industry by 2012?”

2004 Sustainable Supply Chain Management

Developed the Key SSCM tools (including risk analysis, individual issue checklists, and solution tools).

2005/2006 Sustainable Business Models

Developed the SBM frameworks and checklists in regards to: 1) strategic carbon management, 2) resource recycling system, 3) stakeholder engagement, and 4) sustainable marketing.

2007 Sustainability Innovation

Explored sustainability innovation through four topics; 1) business models, 2) management, 3) products/services, and 4) marketing. Discussed innovative projects that enhance the sustainability of the company, society, and environment.

2008 Climate Leadership

Introduced and discussed “Climate Leadership” from three interconnected angles: 1) strategy & operations, 2) products & services, and 3) communication.

2009/2010 Sustainable Brands

Explored the recognition/evaluation of corporations as Sustainable Brands by the following stakeholders: 1) investors/analysts, 2) consumers, 3) NGOs/civil society, and 4) employees.

2011 Sustainable Value Management in Emerging Markets

Discussed the importance of engaging in CSR/sustainability management in emerging markets and considered how it will lead to sustainable value creation for multinational corporations.

2012 Sustainability Leadership

Confirmed the importance of Sustainability Leadership in the following areas: 1) Open Innovation, 2) Sustainable Market Creation, 3) Value Chain Management, and 4) Stakeholder Engagement.

2013/2014 Integration of Sustainability into Corporate Management

Discussed three main areas in regards to integration of Sustainability:1) Strategy, 2) Organization, and 3) Reporting.

2015 ESG Innovation

Covered topics in regards to ESG innovation, including looking ahead to the future, sustainability integrated business strategy, and building organization of integrity.

2016 Sustainability and Value Creation

In view of the SDGs and Paris Agreement, discussed the need for goal setting with long-term perspective, taking into account environmental and social issues.

2017 Transformation of Society and Sustainability

Discussed trends of ESG investors and explored ways to create corporate value in the mid-long term through sustainability. Also engaged in human rights issue reporting.

2018 Transition towards Decarbonized Society

Enhanced the understanding on social transformation towards decarbonization and discussed the effective carbon strategy and disclosure.

2019 Pursuing Long-term Value Creation

Established the link between ESG and the long-term value creation and also developed a deeper understanding of impact assessment and collective impact.

2020 Accelerating Corporate Transformation

Hope to capture the changes in the business environment during this transitional period and understand the need to transform ourselves.

2021 Towards Stakeholder Capitalism

Aim for management based on the sustainability for the global community, taking into account the various stakeholders.

2021 Transition Management

Seek to gain a better understanding of how to make the necessary transition in the face of the increasing urgency of our society's challenges.

Some of the people we have invited to our Workshops from overseas:

• Richard Barker:
  Deputy Dean and Professor of Accounting, Saïd Business School, University of Oxford
• Michael Jantzi:
  Chief Executive Officer, Sustainalytics
• Rob Cameron:
  Vice President, Global Head of Public Affairs, Nestlé S.A.
• Ioannis Ioannou:
  Associate Professor of Strategy and Entrepreneurship, London Business School
• Andrew Winston:
  Founder, Winston Eco-Strategies
• Eva Zabey:
  Director, Redefining Value, World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD)
• Rajendra Sisodia:
  F.W. Olin Distinguished Professor of Global Business, Babson College / Co-Founder and Co-Chairman, Conscious Capitalism Inc.
• Tomas Kåberger:
  Chair of Executive Board, Renewable Energy Institute; Professor, Chalmers University of Technology
• LI Junfeng:
  First Director and Chairman of Academic Committee of National Center for Climate Change Strategy and International Cooperation (NCSC)
• Hans-Christoph Hirt:
  Executive Director, Hermes EOS
• Jamie Allen:
  Secretary General of the Asian Corporate Governance Association (ACGA)
• Katie Schmitz Eulitt:
  Strategic Advisor – SASB
• Tamara “TJ” DiCaprio:
  Senior Director, Environmental Sustainability, Microsoft / Aspen Institute Fellow
• Mark Gough:
  Executive Director, Natural Capital Coalition
• Andrew Morlet:
  Chief Executive, Ellen MacArthur Foundation
• John Morrison:
  CEO, Institute for Human Rights and Business （IHRB）
• Tom Delfgaauw:
  Former Vice President of Sustainability at Shell International
• Frank Seier:
  Senior Advisor, Danish Institute for Human Rights (DIHR)
• Jib Ellison:
  Founder & CEO, BluSkye
• Jacquelyn Ottman:
  Founder, J. Ottman Consulting, Inc.
• Michael Braungart:
  Founder, EPEA Internationale Umweltforschung GmbH
• John Elkington:
  Founder, Volans; Co-Founder, SustainAbility

Some of the places we have visited in our Study Tours:

Companies:

Unilever, Intel, Novartis, Burberry, Novo Nordisk, Gap, Siemens, Danone, Diageo, Nestle, Phillips, Apple, Google, BT, Walmart, Deutsche Post DHL, Marks & Spencer, Kingfisher, H&M, Hewlett Packard Enterprise, Solvay, S&P Global, BlackRock, Vanguard, State Street Global Advisors (SSGA), First Investments, Norges Bank Investment Management (NBIM)

International / National Institutions:

United Nations (Office of the UN Special Adviser on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA), World Bank, OECD, European Commission, Principles on Responsible Investment (PRI), California Air Resources Board (CARB), CalPERS, UK Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC), U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)

NGO / NPOs, Initiatives:

WWF, Greenpeace, Oxfam, CDP, Ceres, Business & Human Rights Resource Centre, Issara Institute, Rainforest Alliance, Forum for the Future, Earthwatch Institute, Natural Capital Coalition, Monday Morning, International Integrated Reporting Council (IIRC), Shift, The Institute for Human Rights and Business (IHRB), WBA, Carbon Tracker,Development Alternatives (DA), the Institute of Public & Environmental Affairs (IPE)

Research Institutions / Think Tanks:

Columbia University (Jeffery Sachs), World Resource Institute (WRI), Oxford University Said Business School, Harvard Kennedy School, MIT D-Lab, Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK), FSG, Delft University of Technology

ESG Rating Company:

MSCI ESG Research, oekom, Vigeo, EIRIS, SAM