Mangrove Planting Activities of Tokio Marine Group
Tokio Marine & Nichido has been implementing the Mangrove Planting Project since 1999, mainly in Southeast Asia. To date, mangrove planting has been carried out in nine countries across the region. In 2019, marking the 20th anniversary of the initiative, we announced the Mangrove-based Value Co-creation 100-Year Declaration, committing to create shared value together with stakeholders.
We aim to continue this project for 100 years in partnership with NGOs, local governments and communities, as mangroves protect the Earth and people’s lives while providing diverse benefits. Today, our overseas group companies are also engaged in planting activities. Furthermore, as mangrove forests have expanded significantly, we are focusing not only on planting but also on conservation activities to protect and nurture these vital ecosystems.
How the Mangrove Planting Project Began
The Mangrove Planting Project began in 1999 as a commemorative initiative marking the 120th anniversary of Tokio Marine & Nichido, following a company-wide call for proposals from employees. Inspired by employee voices calling for a long-lasting initiative to protect the environment, the company learned about the remarkable ability of mangroves to absorb carbon dioxide (CO2)—a major contributor to climate change—and the alarming rate at which mangrove forests were disappearing due to modernization and development.
Recognizing the importance of restoring these ecosystems, the company launched the project with the vision of positioning mangrove planting as “Insurance for the Future of the Earth”.
Roles of Mangrove Forests
Effect 01 Forests in the Sea
Mangroves, often referred to as “forests in the sea,” are a collective term for plant communities that thrive in brackish waters—where seawater and freshwater mix—along coastlines and river mouths in tropical and subtropical regions such as Asia, Africa, and South America. They are said to play an important role in mitigating global warming by absorbing and storing large amounts of carbon dioxide (CO₂), which is considered one of the main causes of climate change.
Effect 02 Green Breakwater
Mangroves serve as green breakwaters, protecting people’s lives and ecosystems from natural disasters such as tidal waves and tsunamis.
During the Indian Ocean tsunami in December 2004 and the typhoon that struck the Philippines in November 2013, many people and buildings located behind mangrove forests were protected from severe damage.
Effect 03 Cradles of Life
The safe spaces created by mangrove roots provide habitats for fish, crabs, shrimp, and other living creatures while also attracting monkeys, birds, and other wildlife, fostering a rich ecosystem.
For this reason, mangrove forests are often called ＃cradles of life. As these forests grow, they supply surrounding communities with fisheries and forest resources, contributing to the sustainable development of planting regions.
The Impact of Mangrove Planting
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Total area planted so far
12,970ha
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Amount of CO₂ absorbed and fixed by planting mangroves
82,000t
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Economic value and social impact of mangrove planting
Approximately 202.3 billion yen
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Carbon-neutral initiatives
12-Year Consecutive Achievement
External Awards and Recognition
- Won the Minister of the Environment Award for Global Warming Prevention Activities (International Contribution Category).
- Won the Special Award at the 5th Sustainable Finance Awards hosted by the Research Institute for Environmental Finance.
- Won 1st NIKKEI Blue Ocean Award (Climate Change Category).
