Message from Our Chief Sustainability Officer(CSusO)—SoftBank Group Report 2024

When we look at the external business environment, we can see that the AI revolution (a revolution in AI-powered technology) has made rapid strides, but we also find sources of concern that will require greater attention, including geopolitical tensions and climate change. Amid this volatile and complex backdrop, it is imperative that we continue to step up our sustainability efforts. SBG has always remained true to its core philosophy: Information Revolution—Happiness for everyone. This philosophy embodies our commitment to sustainability. We believe that the Information Revolution, as well as driving business growth in the medium- to long-term, will deliver the vision of autonomous driving for safer roads, remote learning for educational equality, and many other visions of a more sustainable world.

When it comes to sustainability, an important step we took during the year under review was to revise our set of strategic material issues in light of changes in both the internal and external business environment. Two issues in particular remain paramount concerns: climate change and human capital. Climate change is an increasingly pressing challenge. SBG has committed to targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions as part of its climate-related goal:^*1 Achieve Carbon Neutrality by fiscal 2030. We have also started quantifying our Scope 3 emissions (which encompasses portfolio companies) with intentions to present a road map for reaching net zero in Scope 3 emissions as soon as possible. As for human capital, it goes without saying that this is of crucial importance to our organization, which invests in AI and other innovative technologies. We are committed to laying down the infrastructure to empower people to take on challenges and excel.

Another top priority is ensuring responsible AI. With the rapid progress in the AI revolution, lively debates have ensued about the hidden risks of AI and what measures are needed to control these risks. As an organization at the forefront of the AI revolution, SBG recognizes the paramount importance of building frameworks for responsible AI—frameworks that will control the risks but also leverage the opportunities of AI to create new value.

Disclosing sustainability information is another priority. We will provide statutory disclosure and present a model that is most appropriate to SBG, an approach that reorganizes our previous disclosures into non-financial information presented in clear, effective language. Finally, as an investment company, we recognize the need to promote sustainability through our investment activities. Accordingly, we have introduced into our investment process a framework for evaluating sustainability-related risks and opportunities.