#Japan #Tokyo #biodiversity #Oberlin University #ESG Program

Special Course Announcement

Oberlin University is set to launch its third ESG/Sustainability Practitioner Training Program this September. The new course focuses on the critical intersection of biodiversity and business. This program is essential for organizations that are looking to adopt the TNFD (Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures) framework.

Learning Objectives

Participants will have the opportunity to:

• - Gain foundational knowledge of biodiversity, including ecology, taxonomy, and insights into endangered species.
• - Understand the dependencies and risks that ecosystems present to business activities.
• - Learn practical methods for conducting biodiversity impact assessments, employing both bottom-up and top-down approaches.
• - Discover decision-making strategies through the nexus and landscape approaches to support sustainability.
• - Consider how to implement TNFD and nature-positive strategies into management practices.

Target Audience

This program is designed for:

• - Executives and personnel from sustainability and corporate planning departments.
• - IR professionals involved in ESG investment and integrated reporting.
• - Practitioners in supply chain management and procurement.
• - New business planners focused on regional coexistence and environmental projects.
• - Consultants and finance sector professionals responsible for biodiversity assessments and reporting.

Benefits of Participation

1. Acquire Directly Relevant Knowledge

Gain an essential perspective that views biodiversity as a vital component for creating corporate value rather than a mere aspect of CSR.

2. Strengthen TNFD Framework Capability

Deepen practical understanding of TNFD and nature-positive initiatives, enhancing skills in disclosures and investor relations.

3. Risk Management and Opportunity Creation

Identify dependencies and impacts to connect financial risk minimization efforts with new business opportunities.

4. Form New Networks

Through interaction with cross-sector participants and experts sharing a common focus, discover innovative collaboration opportunities.

Course Outline (7 Sessions)

Session 1: Introduction and Guidance

• - Instructor and participant introductions, overview of the entire course, and sharing of core issues related to ecology and conservation.
• - Importance of taxonomy in understanding biodiversity and endangered species.

Session 2: Understanding Ecology

• - Spatial hierarchy and interspecific interactions, including predation, parasitism, symbiosis, and competition.

Session 3: Dependencies: Ecosystem Services and Business Risk

• - Overview of ecosystem services and the implications for corporate dependency and financial risk.

Session 4: Measuring Impact: Assessing Biodiversity

• - Approaches to biodiversity measurement, including standard field surveys and remote sensing methods.

Session 5: Nexus and Landscape Approaches

• - Importance of cross-sector and cross-regional collaboration, highlighting case studies on topics like wind energy and biodiversity trade-offs.

Session 6: Roadmap for Nature-Positive Economic Transition

• - Discussion on the strategies needed for transitioning to a nature-positive economy.

Session 7: Discussion Using TNFD Reports

• - Engaging in dialogue on best practices and insights derived from TNFD reporting.

Program Details

• - Duration: September to November 2025 (Every Saturday, 7 sessions)
• - Time: Saturdays at 14:00-15:40 (100 minutes)
• - Delivery: Live online via Zoom with Q&A sessions and real-time engagement.
• - Archive: All sessions will be recorded and accessible.
• - Fees: Total of ¥100,000 for all 7 sessions (discounts available).
• - Capacity: Limited to 30 participants on a first-come, first-served basis.

This program follows a structured flow from fundamental understanding to grasping dependencies and impacts, then practical methods, and finally management implementation.

Instructor Profiles

Yuya Fukano
Associate Professor at Chiba University, Ph.D. in System Life Science, specializes in ecology and crop science.
Taku Kumazawa
Partner at Social Impact Research Co., Ltd., lectures at SBI University, and oversees Oberlin University's Sustainability Program.

For inquiries and free session registrations, please fill out the following form: Registration Link.