Ricoh declares November as Global SDGs Communication Month

TOKYO, October 30, 2020 – Ricoh has announced the launch of “Global SDGs Communication Month”, starting on November 1. The event encourages Ricoh employees to think about how to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and take action with a real sense of global unity. It aims to contribute to achieving the SDGs through our daily business activities. It also encourages all employees to talk about the connection between their work and achieving the SDGs, at the same time as continuously improving our corporate value by resolving social issues.

This annual event was traditionally held during the month of June and was called “Global SDGs Action Month.” It coincided with the United Nations World Environment Day. This year, the timing has changed to reflect the impact of COVID-19 and the content will focus on communication activities.

Ricoh's approach to sustainability is to pursue a sustainable society by balancing the Three Ps of Prosperity (economic), People (society), and Planet (environment). In order to realize this goal, Ricoh has identified seven material issues in two areas: “Resolving social issues through business” and “Robust management infrastructure” to accelerate its contribution towards achieving the SDGs.

Event outline

Period: November 1–30, 2020

Aims: To share and promote SDGs activities based on the new material issues.

Global common activities

• Create and share videos to introduce SDGs activities of each company and division based on the material issues.
• Sustainability photo contest with the theme of a “life with a circular economy.” This initiative is open to all employees and awards will be presented based on employees' votes.

Activities at each company

1. Ricoh Europe
   As part of Ricoh Europe's “Printed Memories” program launched in 2017 in partnership with Alzheimer's Research UK, the leading dementia and Alzheimer's disease research charity, Ricoh Europe is encouraging its employees to participate in an online educational session about the impact of COVID-19 on dementia research.
2. Ricoh USA
   As alignment with annual United Way Campaign, Ricoh USA hosts a “volunteer week” as part of our United Way campaign each year. Since Volunteer Week is the first week of November, we are encouraging employees to support SDG#2 as the theme of this year to respond to COVID-19, as well as all of the SDGs, with virtual volunteering and COVID-safe service projects throughout the month of November.
3. Ricoh Japan
   Employees will contribute to the following SDG goals (SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth, SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure) by promoting the digitalization of the customer's workplace in order to accelerate the integration of SDGs within our business, including other goals such as the environment.

Related information

> Ricoh’s approach to sustainability and the Sustainable Development Goals