Chugai Life Science Park Yokohama certified as a Natural Symbiosis Site by the Ministry of the Environment

Chugai Life Science Park Yokohama was built with “Green Innovation Village – a cutting-edge drug discovery research institute nestled in greenery” as the concept for its facilities, emphasizing harmony with the local community and coexistence with the environment.

This area is located in the Kashio River basin, which is part of the “Water and Green Corridor” of the Yokohama City Water and Green Basic Plan. It is situated along the Kashio River, which serves as a green axis connecting well-integrated green spaces such as Maioka Park and Totsuka Park. The site aims to enhance biodiversity by primarily planting species native to the region. As a result, it plays a crucial role as a habitat for the wildlife inhabiting nearby Maioka Park and the Kashio River. The environmental assessment conducted prior to construction confirmed the presence of the little ringed plover, which is listed on the Kanagawa Prefecture Red List*1. In consideration of its breeding needs, a designated little ringed plover space (gravel area) was established, where both adult and juvenile birds have been continuously observed during the breeding season.

Additionally, a large green belt extending over 300 meters has been developed along the western boundary of the site. This green space includes a publicly accessible walking path, providing a place for local residents to stroll and relax, as well as a venue for environmental education events organized by environmental groups. Efforts are also being made to enhance ecosystem services, such as creating a rain garden.

The Ministry of the Environment recognized this initiative and certified the green space at Chugai Life Science Park Yokohama as a Natural Symbiosis Site in the latter half of FY 2024.

“Natural Symbiosis Site” is a designation by the Ministry of the Environment for areas where private initiatives promote biodiversity conservation with the aim of achieving nature positivity. The Ministry of the Environment started this system in 2023 to achieve the 30by30 Goal, which the 15th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP15) adopted as a global target in December 2022. With the exception of areas that overlap with protected areas, accredited areas are registered in the international database as “OECM (Other Effective area-based Conservation Measures).”


Ministry of the Environment: Natural Symbiosis Sites
https://policies.env.go.jp/nature/biodiversity/30by30alliance/documents/3030emap.pdf


We will continue with monitoring and, with the advice of specialists, implement appropriate management. We will also continue to work to further promote biodiversity by focusing on environmental education, such as by implementing environmental events and programs that involve local residents and employees.

*1 List of wildlife species at risk of extinction
*2 A goal to effectively conserve at least 30% of land and sea as healthy ecosystems by 2030. This is one of the 2030 global targets of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework adopted at the 15th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP15) in December 2022.

For more details on our biodiversity conservation initiatives, please click here.
https://www.chugai-pharm.co.jp/english/sustainability/environment/biodiversity.html