AAKEL Inc. (Headquarters: Fukuoka City, Fukuoka Prefecture, CEO: Ryoji Miyawaki, hereinafter "the Company"), which aims to realize a decarbonized society through digital innovation, is pleased to announce that it has been certified as a "CDP Accredited Solutions Provider" (Specialties: Climate Change, SMEs) by CDP, a global non-profit organization that operates an independent environmental disclosure system, effective July 1, 2026. Furthermore, the Company is the first Japanese company to be certified in the specialty area of "SMEs" (Note). Note: Based on information published by CDP (as of July 1, 2026). ◼︎ Background and Significance of Certification In recent years, the importance of environmental information disclosure by companies has rapidly increased, and CDP data, in particular, is widely used as a key indicator by investors, financial institutions, and major corporations. Especially as decarbonization efforts across the entire supply chain are required, the demand for environmental information disclosure is expanding not only to large corporations but also to their business partners, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). SMEs, while supporting regional economies and industrial foundations, are also expected to play a crucial role in promoting decarbonization throughout the entire supply chain. However, they face challenges in responding to advanced information disclosure, such as that required by CDP, due to a lack of specialized personnel, know-how, and resources. To date, the Company has focused on supporting decarbonization management for companies and local governments, providing end-to-end support from the design of actionable measures to their implementation. In recognition of these support achievements and expertise, the Company has now been certified as a CDP Accredited Solutions Provider, including the first domestic certification in the "SMEs" field. ◼︎ Future Developments As a CDP Accredited Solutions Provider, the Company will further stren