Natural Capital and Biodiversity
Socio-economic activities rely on natural capital while benefiting from ecosystem services. At the same time, business activities negatively impact nature and the increasing severity of natural capital losses is a business risk for companies.
The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework was adopted at the United Nations Biodiversity Conference (COP15) in December 2022. The framework clearly states that its goals are the disclosure of nature-related information by large corporations and multinational companies and the promotion of investment in natural capital and biodiversity by private companies. Additionally, the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD) aims to promote a nature positive economy by shifting the global financial flows to nature conservation and restoration.
To continue enjoying the benefits of natural capital and biodiversity in the future, it will be necessary for each country, municipality, business operator, private organization and citizen, in alliance, to take actions to achieve a "naturally symbiotic society" in which natural capital and biodiversity are maintained.
To realize a "naturally symbiotic society" where we can continue to enjoy the benefits of natural capital and biodiversity in the future, it is crucial for central and local governments, private sector companies and organizations, and each citizen to work together and take action from their respective standpoints. Based on this understanding, Mizuho, as a financial institution that plays a central role in economic activity, is supporting projects that protect biodiversity while working to reduce negative impacts on it.
Initiatives towards the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD)
Mizuho joins the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures Forum
In March 2022, Mizuho Financial Group, Mizuho Research & Technologies, and Asset Management One joined the TNFD Forum.
In addition, Mizuho Financial Group and Asset Management One registered as adopters of the TNFD Recommendations (TNFD Adopters), which were published by the TNFD in September 2023.
Response to the TNFD
Mizuho has begun publishing the "Climate & Nature-related Report" from 2024, which integrates its initiatives on climate change and natural capital. In line with the framework recommended by the TNFD, this report provides a comprehensive explanation of detailed analyses and specific actions related to our own operational sites (direct operations) and our loan portfolio (value chain). For details, please refer to the Climate & Nature-related Report.
Climate & Nature-related Report
Analysis of Loan Portfolio (LEAP Approach)
Mizuho is connected to natural capital through our financing and investment activities to clients. We are identifying the key natural capital and sectors in our loan portfolio, analyzing our dependencies and impacts on natural capital, and working to assess the opportunities and risks they bring.
Analysis using the LEAP approach
Support for Clients' Transition to Nature Positive
Mizuho provides support in the form of financing arrangements and consulting services to clients with high natural capital dependencies and impacts, while making use of analyses of the natural capital dependencies and impacts in our loan portfolio.
| Initiatives | Company | Reference |
| Nature-related and Blue Finance arrangements | Mizuho Bank |
Executed “Mizuho Natural Capital Impact Finance” |
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Executed a blue loan for a project for self-sufficiency in drinking water through seawater desalination |
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| Mizuho Securities | Supported the establishment of a sustainability finance framework（Taisei Corporation） | |
| Foreign-currency green/blue bonds for individual investors / Administrative lead manager Green/blue bonds / Lead manager (Tokyo Metropolis) |
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| Blue bonds / Joint book runner (Hainan Province, China) | ||
| Support for TNFD disclosures / nature-related surveys | Mizuho Research & Technologies | Provides natural capital-related consulting services (Support for TNFD disclosures / Quantification of natural capital and biodiversity, etc.) |
| Conducted availability survey of underutilized resources for NEDO’s Project to Promote a Biomanufacturing Revolution | ||
| Effective use of external expertise / Development of new products | Mizuho Financial Group | Entered into a business alliance with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), to offer advisory and training services for the development of impact-driven investment frameworks |
| Mizuho Bank | Formed strategic partnerships, including a capital investment, with Pollination, a group of experts with strong capabilities in the fields of climate change and nature | |
| Mizuho Leasing | Conducted pilot projects in collaboration with Green Elm to develop and implement services that combine forest development and finance (Japanese text only) | |
| Mizuho Bank Mizuho Research & Technologies |
Developed “Mizuho Natural Capital Impact Finance” to assess initiatives related to nature positive economy (Japanese text only) |
Analysis of Mizuho’s direct operations
Mizuho has analyzed the natural capital dependencies and impacts at our directly operational sites. No operational sites were categorized as “priority areas” for high-risk interactions with nature. Nevertheless, we will continue to promote initiatives at our operational sites to mitigate impacts on nature.
Case Studies on Other Measures
Measures at the offices
We are promoting initiatives to achieve a recycling–oriented society. Our efforts include a reduction in the use of paper, one of the resources financial businesses like Mizuho consume the most.
| Initiatives | Company | Reference |
| Promote green purchasing | The group | |
| Promote a paper reduction campaign | ||
| Promote paper recycling | ||
| Replace plastic straws and take–out coffee cups in the employee cafeteria and coffee shop with paper and biodegradable items | Mizuho Financial Group Mizuho Bank |
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| Choose FSC–certified paper for paper bags for customers | Mizuho Bank |
Measures taken for society
Volunteering and sponsorship
Mizuho is promoting forest volunteer activities and educational activities related to natural capital and biodiversity.
| Initiatives | Company | Reference |
| Reforest coastal land in the disaster–stricken areas | The group |
Supporting the Recovery from the Great East Japan Earthquake |
| Conduct employee volunteer activities for forest preservation | ||
| Sponsor nationwide painting contests for elementary and middle school students with a theme of the environment | Mizuho Financial Group | |
| Send flowers for planting to the disaster–stricken areas | Mizuho Bank |
Supporting the recovery from the Great East Japan Earthquake |
Accreditation and recognition
Urban green spaces provide a number of benefits, including reducing the heat island effect, preserving biodiversity, reducing damage from urban flooding, and providing space for people to relax.
Otemachi Tower, the location of our Otemachi Head Office, is situated on a property where around a third of the area (approx. 3,600 m2) is dedicated green space known as "Otemachi Forest". With the concept of recreating a real forest, indigenous trees and shrubs were gathered from woodlands in the local Kanto region to form a diverse forested area. As a result, as an office building with dedicated green space aimed at preserving biodiversity, Otemachi Tower has been recognized by the Association for Business Innovation in harmony with Nature and Community (ABINC) under their certification program for businesses operating in harmony with nature.
Otemachi Forest (part of Otemachi Tower)