Sustainability

Two skiers carving turns down a groomed slope, seen from above

Sustainability Policy

To contribute to the physical and emotional well-being of people by supporting sports and promoting healthy lifestyles.
To engage in activities that benefit the community economically, socially and environmentally.
In line with our Code of Ethics, to respect human rights in Japan and elsewhere, comply with all local, national and international laws and regulations, and act ethically and with high integrity.

Descente Group Human Rights Policy

Based on its corporate philosophy “Bringing the Joy of Sports to Everyone”, the Descente Group is committed to enriching people's physical and mental well-being through sports, promoting healthy lifestyles and contributing to a sustainable society. The Group also respects the human rights of all stakeholders affected by its business activities. To fulfill its responsibilities, the Descente Group Human Rights Policy (hereinafter referred to as “this Policy”) has been established as its fundamental approach to respecting human rights.

Respect for International Human Rights Norms and Standards

The Descente Group supports international human rights norms and is committed to respecting human rights. This includes those set forth in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Labour Organization (ILO) Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work. Also the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, and the Ten Principles of its Global Compact covering four areas: human rights, labour, environment and anti-corruption.

Scope of Application

This Policy applies to all directors and employees of Descente Group companies. The Group also encourages its business partners and other associated third parties to support this Policy and respect human rights. It expects them to cooperate in promoting these principles.

Human Rights Due Diligence

The Descente Group recognizes the importance of conducting human rights due diligence to fulfill its responsibility to respect human rights. Through this process, the Group aims to identify, prevent and mitigate adverse impacts on human rights and to disclose relevant information appropriately.

Dialogue and Consultation with Stakeholders

The Descente Group engages in dialogue and consultation with relevant stakeholders regarding measures to address adverse human rights implications arising from its business activities.

Remedy and Corrective Action

If the Group's business activities adversely affect human rights, or if the Group is found to be involved in such adverse impacts, it will promptly take corrective action through appropriate procedures and dialogue.

Education

The Descente Group endeavors to provide appropriate human rights education and skill development to ensure that this Policy is understood and implemented by its directors and employees.

Information Disclosure

The Descente Group discloses progress on its human rights initiatives undertaken in accordance with this Policy through its corporate website and other communication channels.

April 1, 2024
Shuichi Koseki, President and Representative Director

Descente Basic Environmental Philosophy and Policy

DESCENTE has formulated a Basic Environmental Philosophy and Environmental Policy, which serve as management guidelines, and has also established an Environmental Committee, comprised primarily of directors of the Company. Under the auspices of this Committee, DESCENTE engages in environmental preservation efforts intended to reduce environmental impacts and risks, and also takes proactive, ongoing action to prevent such impacts and risks.

DESCENTE Basic Environmental Philosophy

Recognizing that preserving the global environment is a critically important issue, DESCENTE will be proactive, taking environmental preservation into consideration across all of our business activities.

DESCENTE Environmental Policy

Based on the DESCENTE Basic Environmental Philosophy, we have set forth the following items to promote environmental preservation activities, and to be proactive in reducing and preventing environmental impact and risk.

We will establish an Environmental Committee to promote environmental preservation activities.
We will comply with environment-related laws, regulations and treaties, and work to preserve the environment.
We will work to conserve resources and energy, recycle, and reduce waste across all fields of business.
We will work to grasp accurately the impact our business activities have on the environment, and will, to the extent technically and economically possible, establish objectives and goals toward which all of us will strive, regularly reviewing the results and working to continually improve and enhance our efforts.
We will develop and manufacture low environmental impact products.
We will conduct regular monitoring and work to maintain and improve our environmental management.
We will conduct environmental education, ensuring all employees understand these policies and work to raise awareness.
We will disclose our Basic Environmental Philosophy, Environmental Policy and the status of their implementation as required.

Down and feather samples sorted by type in glass beakers

Supply Chain Management

Descente seeks to establish fair partnerships with its suppliers, working together to improve human rights and working conditions, protect the environment and achieve mutual growth. In this regard, the company conducts CSR audits of manufacturing facilities and requests that all suppliers comply with the Descente Supplier CoC (Code of Conduct).

Raw Material Procurement (DOWNPASS and RDS Certification)

In response to growing global demands to eliminate the use of real fur in apparel products, beginning with its Fall/Winter 2023 collection, Descente prohibited the development and production of new products containing real fur, as well as the procurement of such products from external suppliers. Furthermore, for down apparel products, including its flagship MIZUSAWA DOWN range, the company is promoting its use of traceable down certified under standards such as DOWNPASS*1 and RDS*2 and will continue to pursue sustainable manufacturing practices.

*1 DOWNPASS: A certification standard established by Germany’s DOWNPASS e. V., which guarantees that down and feathers are ethically sourced and collected in accordance with animal welfare requirements, and meet high quality standards.

*2 RDS (Responsible Down Standard): An international certification standard that verifies, through traceability audits, that down and feathers are sourced from ducks and geese that have not been subjected to inhumane treatment, including live plucking or force-feeding.

Indicators and Targets (GHG Emissions, etc.)

One measure for addressing risks and opportunities is the development of durable, long-lasting products. To promote this, Descente has established targets for FY2030 using sales of long-lasting products and the number of repair requests handled* as key performance indicators (KPIs). Initiatives are underway to achieve these targets. The company has expanded the scope of its Scope 1 and Scope 2 measurements of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to include overseas operations, while working to capture Scope 3 emissions in Japan. Initially, the company is first accelerating measures toward achieving carbon neutrality at its domestic business sites by 2030 with a goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050, with net-zero greenhouse gas emissions overall. At the same time, it is advancing initiatives to address material sustainability issues, including climate change and other environmental challenges.

Descente is also working to ensure that production volumes are better managed, to move away from the over-production and disposal of products, which are major environmental challenges for the apparel industry. As a specific initiative, the company is promoting the reduction of industrial waste, with the results of these efforts presented below. The company also plans to establish additional environmental indicators, as it has done for greenhouse gas emissions.

Through these initiatives, Descente will establish medium-term targets and advance measures to address material sustainability issues, including climate change and other environmental challenges.

Scope 1, 2 and 3 GHG EmissionsUnit: t-CO₂
Region	Scope	FY2021	FY2022	FY2023	FY2024	FY2025
Japan	Scope 1	239	132	157	161	119
Japan	Scope 2	760	611	2,040	1,920	2,148
Japan	Scope 3	–	–	111,285	110,162	109,248
Overseas	Scope 1	–	–	239	225	171
Overseas	Scope 2	–	–	2,988	2,935	7,177
Overseas	Scope 3	–	–	–	–	–
Total		999	743	116,709	115,403	118,863

Note 1: Beginning in FY2023, electricity consumption at stores in Japan was added to the calculation scope for domestic Scope 2 emissions.

Note 2: Beginning in FY2025, the number of overseas stores included in the calculation of Scope 2 GHG emissions was expanded.

Children and an athlete at a DESCENTE sports event in Oshu City

Diversity

Recognizing workforce diversity as an important priority, Descente provides onboarding training and individual meetings to help mid-career recruits become productive members of the organization as quickly as possible. The company supports employees in balancing work with childcare and caregiving responsibilities and also promotes career development through initiatives such as roundtable discussions between younger employees and management. Descente is working to increase the number of women in management positions in its Japanese operations. At the end of March 2025, the company had 23 female managers in Japan. Employees with disabilities also contribute to the company across a wide range of roles. At the end of March 2025, 25 employees with disabilities were actively working within the organization, exceeding the statutory employment quota. Recognizing that working conditions and requirements vary among employees, the company is committed to creating workplace environments in which more employees can work productively and with a sense of fulfillment.

Local Communities

Comprehensive Partnership Agreement with Oshu City, Iwate Prefecture

Descente Japan Ltd. has concluded a Comprehensive Partnership Agreement for the Promotion of Regional Revitalization with Oshu City, Iwate Prefecture, where the Mizusawa Factory of Descente Apparel Ltd. is located.

Under this agreement, the two parties are promoting collaborative initiatives in the following areas:

Promotion of sports and youth development
Promotion of the city
Implementation of collaborative marketing activities
Other initiatives contributing to regional revitalization

Children running a drill in a gym alongside an athlete

DESCENTE supports the philosophy of the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC), with its Ten Principles covering the four areas of human rights, labor, the environment and anticorruption, and works to exert responsible leadership as a good corporate citizen. At the same time, we regard these principles as basic guidelines for action as the DESCENTE Group moves toward greater globalization. We will continue to be even more proactive in our efforts to contribute to achieving a sustainable global society.