Social Contribution Initiatives
At Renesas, we want to build a sustainable future where technology helps make our lives easier. Recognizing that the prosperity of our society and environment and diverse talent have a tremendous impact on our business growth, we have focused our efforts and investment on environmental initiatives, education of next-generation engineers, and supporting local communities we work and live in.
We have established a structure with various types of vacation days for employees in Japan including “volunteer vacation days” to increase the amount of vacation days taken by employees so they can give back to the community through volunteer work. In addition, we have introduced a 3- and 4-day working weeks to allow employees to easily attend activities held in the community on a regular basis.
In the United States, all regular full-time employees can take up to a maximum of 16 hours of normal paid work time in a calendar year to participate in an approved community service activity.
The Three Focus Social Contribution Initiative Areas
1. Environmental Initiatives
Expansion of Solar Panel Installation (China and Malaysia)
In November 2022, Renesas installed solar panels at our manufacturing site in Suzhou, China, to maintain a continuous energy supply and reduce energy usage and utility expenses. We also installed and started operating a solar power system at our manufacturing site in Malaysia for the first time. We plan to expand the solar panel installation from 2023 to 2024 with a goal to further contribute to global climate change efforts and Malaysia's renewable energy expansion policy. Based on Renesas' global environmental action guidelines, we will continue to promote activities that will allow our factories to be more sustainable and eco-friendly.
Tree Planting for River Restoration (U.S.)
In October 2022, Renesas partnered with Raritan Headwaters Association, a nonprofit conservation organization, to help plant 1,000 trees along the north branch of the Raritan River in New Jersey. This was a kick-off of a four-year restoration project to plant 10,000 trees along the Raritan River to help prevent future erosion and restore water resources. The Renesas team worked alongside the volunteers from Somerset County Parks Commission, Raritan Headwaters, AmeriCorps, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
Forestation and Water Conservation
In Yamaguchi Prefecture in Japan, the local community is striving to create healthy and diverse forests to sustainably protect the comprehensive functions of forests, such as water source irrigation, landslide prevention in mountains, and prevention of global warming. In November 2021, we participated in the local forestation event, "14th Forestation Initiative to Protect Water" with other companies to promote joint environmental initiatives and protect forests as a common asset for the citizens of Yamaguchi Prefecture and society. A total 132 of people including Renesas employees, joined the event and worked together to maintain forests located in the northern part of Ube City that is known for abundant greenery and water.
They also participated in the Arihogawa River cleanup event organized by a local organization. We have participated in this activity every year since 1985 with a goal to foster a mindset with social responsibilities among our teams and increase environmental awareness through activities that support the local community.
Recycling of Used Clothes
Colleagues from our Suzhou factory in China worked together with Yī Jiā Yī, a local charity organization, and asked employees for donations of used clothes and bedding. Within 10 days, around 100 items of clothing and bedding were collected, and were donated to the elderly and children living in remote areas of China. Through this activity, we were able to reduce waste and contribute to environmental protection by recycling.
Collection of Trash along the Coast
Renesas participates in activities to preserve the environment around the world.
Around 60 employees in Singapore collected man-made trash, waste materials and drifting trash along the Singapore coastline. While collecting trash, employees recorded the different types of trash and beach litter as well as the amount found. This data will be used as a reference to solve the trash problem in the future.
2. Education of Next-Generation Engineers
Collaboration with Japan MCU Car Rally
In 2023, Renesas collaborated with the Japan MCU Car Rally, which was attended by 1,254 students representing 191 technical high schools in Japan. Renesas provided MCUs for controlling cars along with training sessions that enhanced engineering skills among students and teachers. On December 27-28, 2023, 191 students competed in the national competition's final races to set their sights on the first spot. With Renesas' RA Family MCUs poised for use in the next-generation MCU cars, Renesas stays committed to empowering students in their future endeavors.
IT & Electronic Design Contests for University Students (China)
Renesas sponsored the National Undergraduate Electronic Design Contest and the Advanced Information Technology Invitational Contest (AITIC) for university students in China. Despite the COVID-19 lockdowns, 261 students from 52 universities across the country submitted excellent designs for AITIC based on the Renesas RZ/G2L microprocessor. In addition, the 3rd “Renesas Cup” (Information Technology Frontier Invitational Competition) was held from April to August 2022, co-sponsored by Renesas and the Chinese Education Bureau. Approximately 100 teams of students from major universities studying information technology and electronics were invited to tackle an innovative and functional application system using cutting-edge technology. Renesas provided a microprocessor-based development platform that incorporates advanced DRP technology, as well as technical support such as online training.
Scholarships for Female Students in STEM (Vietnam)
In November 2022, Renesas awarded 40 scholarships to female students from top 9 technical universities in southern and central Vietnam. This program is organized as part of our global effort to invest in the next generation of female engineers and technology professionals in the semiconductor industry. Renesas actively offers various learning opportunities as well as financial support locally.
MCU Car Rally
Every two years we hold an MCU Car Rally at the Embedded World event in Nuremberg, Germany. 150 students and their tutors from all over Europe are divided into 30 teams to develop both hardware and software that autonomously drives their team’s car along a white line on the middle of the track, with their tutors’ help and using an MCU car made with components supplied by Renesas. The teams compete against each other to complete the full 67m MCU Car Rally circuit in the best time. The Harz University team in Germany recorded the fastest time of 02:32 in 2019, beating the previous year’s winning time by 7 seconds.
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The Renesas University Program
We offer comprehensive course materials and lab exercises for students in engineering, computer and natural sciences to develop next-generation innovators. With the aim of cultivating next-generation engineers and experts, we offer educational opportunities for students to deepen their knowledge, strengthen their skills and build a global network.
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Promoting Women in Engineering
In Europe we have been working together with ChanceMINT NRW, run by the University of Duisburg-Essen, giving female students in MINT (Maths, Information, Natural Sciences & Technology) opportunities to network with companies in North Rhine-Westphalia. We offer students in-house seminars and workshops on AI and ADAS. In 2018, we held a tour of our laboratories and a computer graphics workshop for 15 female students. Several participants have now requested practical work experience and internships with Renesas.
3. Local Community Support
Running for a Good Cause (Germany)
In July 2022, approximately 30 Renesas employees participated in the charity event, "AKB run," in Nabern, Germany. A regional non-profit, Aktionskreis für Menschen mit und ohne Behinderung e.V. (AKB), holds events for non-disabled people to spend time with people with disabilities and learn from them. Our involvement began with Dialog employees who are now part of Renesas. The local team also donated $500.
Safe and Clean Drinking Water Project (India)
In 2021 and 2022, Renesas collaborated with Trinity Care Foundation to provide safe drinking water to government school students by installing Reverse Osmosis (RO) water plants at the select schools in Bangalore North District, Karnataka. Out of 30 districts in Karnataka, the groundwater in 29 districts was considered unsafe for drinking. The goal of this initiative is to improve the health of students and teachers, while minimizing absence and dropouts due to illness. Renesas provided 5 schools with a plant with a 4-layered overhead tank that can generate 100 liters of purified water in an hour and holds 1,000 liters of water.
Meal Donation
In September 2021, Renesas Electronics Singapore Pte. Ltd. (Singapore) employees volunteered in a "Pay-It-Forward" meal donation program with Dignity Kitchen that serves underprivileged families in the Bendemeer community. We provided 320 meals using $1,600 raised by volunteers. We plan to keep encouraging more participation and spreading the goodwill through volunteer projects like this.
Community Outreach for Blind and Visually Impaired Organization
Renesas Electronics Korea Co., Ltd. hosted an in-house flea market with a goal to be more "Entrepreneurial," one of the five Renesas Culture attributes. In January 2022, proceeds totaling 3,179,000 won were donated to an organization helping people who are blind and visually impaired.
Fundraiser & School Bags Donation
In July 2021, Renesas Semiconductor (Suzhou) Co., Ltd. (China) held a fundraising event in collaboration with SIP-CSRA, a public interest organization in Suzhou. All the money raised from this activity was contributed to the "Siyuan Safe Drinking Water Item" special fund.
Following this event, in October, we collaborated with SIP-CSRA again to donate school bags with the Renesas logo to children from underprivileged families.
Support for Victims of Natural Disasters
In December 2021, Malaysia was hit by severe rain that caused massive flooding, especially in the states of Selangor and Pahang. In Selangor, the flooding caused casualties and more than 25,000 people were temporarily evacuated to flood relief centers. Employees of Renesas Semiconductor KL Sdn. Bhd. (RSKL) and Renesas International Operations Sdn. Bhd. (RIO) were also impacted by this devastating disaster, as their houses and vehicles were flooded.
To support the affected employees of Renesas Malaysia, RSKL, RIO, Renesas Semiconductor (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd. (RSM), and Renesas Electronics (Penang) Sdn. (REPG), started a donation drive in December 2021 to alleviate the burden of the disaster victims. Many employees donated 33,885.90 ringgit to the relief efforts. In addition, the management of Renesas Group companies in Malaysia donated 53,114.10 ringgit. The total of 87,000 ringgit was provided to the affected employees and their families.
COVID-19 Vaccine Workplace Immunization
From June to November 2021, Musashi and Naka offices vaccinated their employees (including temporary staff and contractors) and their families.
Since it was difficult to procure vaccines for the residents of Kodaira City, Tokyo, where the Musashi Plant is located, we also collaborated with the city of Kodaira to vaccinate its residents in response to the city's request. Our effort was greatly appreciated by the residents, and approximately 5,700 people, including our employees, were vaccinated twice during the period.
Blood Drive
Blood donation has become an annual event at the Nishiki Factory in Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan, and in 2021, we received the “Golden Award,” a certificate of appreciation from the Kumamoto Branch of the Japanese Red Cross Society. This award is given to organizations that have cooperated in blood donation and related activities for many years.
We will continue our effort to help those who need blood transfusions and plasma fractionated products due to illness or injuries.
Supporting the Youth through the COVID-19 Pandemic in Vietnam
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on our economy and families around the world. Many have lost their loved ones and jobs and face serious hardship today. Renesas Design Vietnam Co., Ltd. (RVC) and the Red Cross recently joined forces in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam to support students in District 7 who lost parents to COVID-19. RVC donated 19 tablets (nearly 80,000,000 VND in value) and 52,040,000 VND in cash contribution. Furthermore, RVC sponsored 2,450 COVID-19 test kits, 4,988 meals, and 200 food packages for four universities to support students who were unable to go back to their hometown and had to remain in the dormitory or rent rooms in Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang City.
Fundraising for 48-Hour Virtual Race to End Hunger
Renesas actively works with local communities at each of our locations, engaging in social welfare initiatives and making contributions to society.
In our offices in the U.S., we raised $28,119 in the “48-Hour Virtual Race to End Hunger 2021” campaign, organized by Second Harvest of Silicon Valley, a non-profit food bank that provides healthy meals to those in need in the Santa Clara and San Mateo counties in California. The “48-Hour Virtual Race to End Hunger” is a fund raiser event where companies in Silicon Valley compete to raise $1 million to provide over 2 million meals.
Renesas will continue to provide support for local communities through various initiatives.
Actual Figures from Social Contribution Initiatives Spending in 2023 (Million in JPY)
| Donations | 38.14 |
| Financial Contributions | 3.71 |
| Donation of Goods | 0.53 |
| Employee Volunteering Participation (hours converted to monetary value) | 3.09 |
Contributing to SDGs
Renesas’ efforts in Social Contribution Initiatives contributes to these Sustainable Development Goals targets:
4.3 By 2030, ensure equal access for all women and men to affordable and quality technical, vocational and tertiary education, including university
4.4 By 2030, substantially increase the number of youth and adults who have relevant skills, including technical and vocational skills, for employment, decent jobs and entrepreneurship
5.b Enhance the use of enabling technology, in particular information and communications technology, to promote the empowerment of women
6.6 By 2020, protect and restore water-related ecosystems, including mountains, forests, wetlands, rivers, aquifers and lakes