Initiatives and External Evaluation
Participation in Initiatives
United Nations Global Compact Initiatives
A voluntary initiative under which companies and organizations commit themselves to participating in building a global framework for achieving sustainable growth. It involves taking action as a good corporate citizen by responsibly exercising creative leadership. The initiative revolves around ten principles in four areas: human rights, labor, the environment, and anti-corruption.
In 2005, Hakuhodo was the first in the advertising industry to commit to the compact, and in 2014 we signed the compact as Hakuhodo DY Holdings. Drawing on its experience as the leader of the SDGs Task Force of the United Nations Global Compact Network Japan, the Group is actively pursuing the organization’s objectives.
SBTi (Science Based Targets initiative)
Established in 2015, SBTi is an international collaborative initiative operated by CDP, the United Nations Global Compact, the World Resources Institute, and the World Wide Fund for Nature. It conducts verification and certification based on scientific evidence to determine whether corporate targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions align with the goal of limiting the temperature increase to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, as outlined in the Paris Agreement.
We committed to this initiative in 2023, and are working toward the goal of obtaining SBT certification in fiscal 2026.
Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEPs)
The Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEPs) are 7 principles of action jointly developed by the UN Global Compact Office and UN Women for companies that work voluntarily on the empowerment of women. These principles are expected to be used as an international framework for promoting women’s economic empowerment, encouraging companies to make voluntary efforts to accelerate their business activities and growth with gender equality and women's empowerment at the core of their corporate management.
In 2024, Hakuhodo DY Holdings Inc. endorsed and signed the WEPs.
External Evaluation
FTSE
A series of global environmental, social, and governance (ESG) investment indices developed by FTSE Russell, a subsidiary of London Stock Exchange Group. Hakuhodo DY Holdings is a constituent company.
An index developed by FTSE Russell to assess Japanese companies that demonstrate outstanding ESG performance. The Index is used by the Japanese Government Pension Investment Fund as an ESG investment benchmark. Hakuhodo DY Holdings is a constituent company.
An index developed by FTSE Russell to measure the performance of Japanese companies that demonstrate strong ESG practices relative to peers in their respective sector. Hakuhodo DY Holdings is a constituent company.
CDP
The Hakuhodo DY Group's disclosure of data on its climate change response strategies and greenhouse gas emissions in UK-based non-profit organization CDP's*1 2024 climate questionnaire was rated a B (Management)*2, the third highest score, indicating that the company recognizes and acts on its environmental risks and impacts.
*1 CDP is a not-for-profit charity that collaborates with institutional investors to encourage companies to disclose information on their strategies for combating climate change and on their emissions of greenhouse gases.*2 CDP uses an eight-level evaluation scale (A, A-, B, B-, C, C-, D, and D-).
Response to CDP Climate Change 2024 Questionnaire (in Japanese)
EcoVadis
In EcoVadis* Sustainability Assessments, the YOMIKO Group was awarded a Silver medal and the Hakuhodo Group a Bronze medal in 2023, with both receiving Committed badges in 2025.
*2 EcoVadis: An international provider of business sustainability ratings that provides platforms for examining policies, initiatives, and results related to corporate sustainabilityEruboshi
Hakuhodo, Daiko Advertising, SoldOut and Hakuhodo Product's have obtained Level Three (three stars), and YOMIKO ADVERTISING Level Two (two stars) in the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare of Japan's Eruboshi Certification program, which recognizes companies for their efforts to promote the empowerment of women.
PRIDE Index
work with Pride*, a Japanese general incorporated association, awarded Hakuhodo and Hakuhodo DY Media Partners Gold in its PRIDE Index 2024, a workplace rating on LGBTQ+ awareness.
* work with Pride: A general incorporated association that supports the promotion and establishment of diversity management related to LGBTQ+ and other sexual and gender minorities in companies and other organizations.