Sustainability has become the focus of many movements, governmental policies, and company pledges. The subject is complex. As such, it can be difficult to define exactly what makes something sustainable. Aspects of environmental issues, social, mental, and physical health, in addition to diversity and inclusion, are considered in what makes something successfully maintainable.
The back and forth debate within political sectors doesn’t help clarify matters. It has become increasingly obvious over the past few years that there are no easy, or inexpensive fixes. And let’s be real- some companies seem divided between what is right and what is money. Yes, I’m referring about the last few weeks of NFT talk within the gaming community.
So, as end-of year reports come out, it is interesting to see what strides companies are making in the areas of sustainability. SEGA Sammy Holdings released their yearly report in November 2021. It flew mostly under the radar but had significant insight as to what the company has done between March 2020 and March 2021, and where it plans to go in the future.
SEGA goes green
Environmental impacts are often the most noticeable. In an effort to reduce waste, SEGA Sammy set a goal in 2016 for reusing parts from their arcade machines. With an eye on even the beginning stages of design and development, they developed a recycling system that reuses machines in good working order and extracts reusable parts from broken ones. Partnering with industrial wasted processing companies, SEGA was able to recover and reuse 89.7 percent of standardized parts, circuit boards and units. Unusable plastics are broken down as refuse paper and plastic fuel, a “high-grade solid fuel.”
SEGA Europe began transitioning to fully recyclable packaging for PC games. By using 100 percent recycled paper for their manuals and packing materials, it is possible for each part to be disposed of in compliance with household recycling programs. Additionally, SEGA Sammy as a whole reduced their carbon footprint by purchasing green electric power and partnering with Japan Natural Energy Company Limited and Yokohama City. Overall, SEGA reduced their CO2 emissions by approximately 518 tons.
On the conservation front, SEGA Sammy worked with Phoenix Seagaia Resort in Miyazaki Prefecture for a varies of activities. Employees from SEGA participated in the Seagaia Beach Cleanup Campaign in Hitotsuba, aimed at protecting the loggerhead sea turtles nesting areas in the spring. The company is involved in an “adopt-a-forest” program and currently provides funding for almost 9,000 acres.
Diversity matters
In a year where the lack of diversity and human rights, specifically women’s and minorities took center stage, we have been avidly watching what big name companies are doing to hinder or help diversity matters. So far, SEGA has remained out of the news. It is unfortunate that we tend to focus on the negative and not give credit to those doing it right. I know- why praise someone for being decent? Imagine if we only bought from those who respect human rights- their profits would probably see incredible increases.
Transparency is always a key factor in these reports, and the numbers speak for themselves. SEGA is at least attempting to create a sustainable work environment. Setting goals for Human Resources reform, SEGA hopes to shift “from a seniority-based system to one in which individuals who demonstrate aspirations and high abilities can succeed over the course of their challenges,” the official release stated. If successful, this kind of HR model could be revolutionary within the gaming industry.
Taking pride in PRIDE
To be more inclusive, SEGA for the third year in a row, sponsored the Tokyo Rainbow Pride event. The event aims at “creating a society in which LGBT people can lead positive lives without experiencing discrimination and prejudice. SEGA and its subsidiaries won the “Gold” rating in from the PRIDE index for the second year in 2020.
Within the company, SEGA’s report says it “treats same-sex partners on an equal footing with spouses under its various internal systems. Currently, notarized declarations are required when making applications relating to a same-sex partner, but we also plan to accept partnership certificates issued by the Famiee Project.” And they are endorsing the Business Support for LGBT Equality Declaration, a campaign working to introduce legislation in Japan “that would prohibit discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity.”
Representing minorities
Hiring numbers are just as important in understanding where a company stands on diversity. Employees with disabilities has risen steadily over the past few years, from 104 in June 2019 to 129 in 2021. And SEGA has joined a US-Japan research project on social inclusion in employment for people with disabilities. The project will continue through 2023.
Another crucial note is the increase of women in leadership roles in SEGA Sammy Holding. Although we only have the numbers for Japan’s offices, it is a hopeful upswing trend for the company worldwide. There was a decrease between 2019 and 2020 (102 down to 86), but 2021 recovered previously incurred losses with 101 females employed as managers. Considering how crazy 2021 was, it will be interesting to see the numbers later this year.
On that subject, SEGA Sammy set up an advice desk through an independent organization for complaints. The number of reports for the Japanese locations totaled 87 last year, with 1. percent (approx 9) being about sexual harassment. However, 31 percent or 26 complaints were about power harassment. So, there is still work to do.
The report contains more information about addiction recovery, customer support and risk management, especially in relation to COVID-19. You can read it in its entirety here.
Overall, SEGA Sammy Holding had a good year in sustainability. As the businesses around the world continue to adjust to pandemic problems, it appears that SEGA has attainable goals and will go on moving forward.
