12. CSR activities

At SMFG, in order to enhance group-wide efforts related to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), the Group’s CSR Committee was established in April 2005. In June 2005, the company defined the concept of CSR as “contributing to the sustainable development of society through offering ever-higher value to customers, shareholders, markets, society, the environment and employees,” and began various CSR activities.

In order to promote environmental activities, the Group’s environmental policy was established with a focus on three issues: 1) reducing environmental load, 2) addressing environmental risks, and 3) promoting environmental businesses. As part of the efforts to address environmental risks, SMBC adopted the Equator Principles in January 2006, and started to apply environmental and social risk assessment frameworks in compliance with the principles. In the area of environmental business, SMBC hosted relevant business networking sessions and forums. Also, the Group organized various social contributions, such as sponsoring the SMBC Environmental Program: NPO C.C.C. Furano Field, hosted by Japanese playwright So Kuramoto.