AEON to Showcase Sustainability Initiatives at Global Nature-Positive Summit 2026 in Kumamoto

AEON will sponsor the international conference 'Global Nature-Positive Summit 2026' (GNPS2026), to be held at Kumamoto Castle Hall on July 14 (Tue) and 15 (Wed), 2026, and will exhibit at the concurrent event 'NATURE TECH!'. In October 2026, the 'AEON Furusato no Mori-zukuri' (AEON's Forests for Our Towns) initiative will mark its 35th anniversary. Building on this foundation, AEON, along with the AEON 1% Club and the AEON Environmental Foundation, will showcase its integrated efforts to translate nature-positive principles into on-the-ground action—through store-based forest conservation, visualization of nature's value, education for future generations, and community collaboration—both domestically and internationally.

Putting Nature-Positive into Practice: From Policy to On-Site Action

Achieving nature-positive outcomes requires more than just stating principles. It is essential to integrate nature-related issues into business operations and engage in continuous, collaborative efforts with local communities to turn policies into tangible actions. AEON leverages its nationwide network of stores as the closest touchpoints to daily life, systematically building connections among local forests, wildlife, and people. The company places strong emphasis on clear communication—through visualization and experiential engagement—that is accessible to customers, employees, and local communities.

Presenting AEON’s Approach: An Integrated Model of 'Experience × Learning × Community Collaboration'

Foundation: 'AEON Furusato no Mori-zukuri'

Building on its 'Furusato no Mori-zukuri' initiative, which will celebrate its 35th year in October 2026, AEON will promote forest conservation and community engagement centered around its retail stores.

Experience: 'Enhancing Understanding Through Dioramas, Videos, and Hands-On Activities'

At 'NATURE TECH!', AEON will present an immersive exhibition featuring dioramas illustrating forest conservation and community relationships, along with short videos showcasing environmental activities, enabling visitors to learn about nature-positive concepts in an accessible and engaging way.

Learning: 'Understanding the Connections Among Forests, Water, Wildlife, and People'

AEON will offer Kumamoto City elementary school students an experiential card-collecting program designed to teach them about biodiversity and ecological interdependence.

Community Collaboration: 'Promoting Understanding Through Shared Experiences'

For participants of GNPS2026, AEON will host a tree-planting experience (excursion) at AEON Mall Kumamoto, fostering direct engagement and mutual understanding.

Moving forward, AEON will continue to participate in GNPS2026 and related events, integrating on-the-ground forest conservation, experiential learning, international knowledge sharing, and educational opportunities for future generations into a cohesive sustainability strategy.

Key AEON Activities During GNPS2026

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・About the AEON 1% Club (AEON Ichibu Kurabu)

Established in 1990, the AEON 1% Club allocates an amount equivalent to 1% of profits generated from customer use of AEON Group services to support initiatives in four main areas: 'healthy development of youth,' 'international friendship and goodwill,' 'contributions to local community development,' and 'disaster recovery support.' The organization has been actively engaged in environmental and social contribution activities for over three decades.

AEON 1% Club Website: https://aeon1p.or.jp/1p/

・About the AEON Environmental Foundation

Founded in 1990 by Takuya Okada (Honorary Chairman of the Foundation, Honorary Chairman Advisor of AEON Co., Ltd.), under AEON’s founding philosophy of 'pursuing peace with customers as the starting point, respecting humanity, and contributing to local communities,' the AEON Environmental Foundation was the first foundation in Japan established solely by a private company dedicated exclusively to global environmental issues. Since its inception, the foundation has focused on four core activities: 'tree planting,' 'grants,' 'environmental education and joint research,' and 'awards.' Today, it is also advancing new initiatives in satoyama (traditional rural landscape) regeneration to achieve sustainable communities.

AEON Environmental Foundation Website: https://www.aeonkankyozaidan.or.jp/