Japanese Businesses Embracing Nature-Positive Strategies with International Support: A Euronews Reporter’s Journey to Château Mercian Mariko Vineyard and Winery

In recent years, there has been an increasing global pressure to protect nature, and Japanese businesses are responding to this challenge with the support of an international framework aimed at redirecting financial flows towards more nature-positive outcomes.

To explore how Japanese businesses are building a nature-positive business, Euronews reporter Damon Embling visits the Château Mercian Mariko vineyard and winery in central Japan. The vineyard, which was once a barren mulberry field, has transformed into a thriving ecosystem where grassland and plants have returned, providing natural habitats for insects, including some endangered species.

The business at the vineyard and winery adopts a circular approach by composting grape pressing remains and turning pruned vine branches into biochar, a type of charcoal. Kirin Holdings Company, the owner of the vineyard and winery, was one of the early adopters in Japan of a global framework launched by the Taskforce for Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD).

The TNFD framework encourages businesses to assess, report, and act on nature-related risks and impacts in order to shift global capital towards more positive outcomes for nature. A Kirin environmental specialist emphasizes the importance of water and nature capital to the vineyard and winery business as part of the company’s TNFD commitment.

In Tokyo, Damon also learns from a TNFD taskforce member about the importance of global companies supporting other businesses in exploring nature-positive avenues. A Tokyo professor highlights how creating business opportunities to protect nature is crucial in shifting the global economic system towards more sustainable practices.