25 Jul
2006 - Tokyo, Japan – Sony will cut CO2 emissions
from both operations and its product range as
part of a deal struck with WWF.
As part of its commitment to
join WWF's Climate Savers Programme, Sony will
cut its absolute CO2 emissions by seven per cent
by 2010, set against 2000 emissions of 2,183,765
tons.
The international electronics
company also intends to increase energy efficiency
in all its production facilities, switching fuel
from oil to renewable energy sources and to natural
gas (the latter has fewer CO2 emissions per unit
energy produced compared to oil or coal). Sony
will also replace some strong greenhouse gases
used in specific production systems with more
climate-friendly options.
The company’s commitment includes
all its subsidiaries and its production facilities
globally, including Japan, China, Europe, and
the United States.
“Sony strives to achieve the
commitment agreed under the Climate Savers Programme
through a group-wide effort,” says Naofumi Hara,
Senior Vice President of the Sony Corporation.
“Our company continues to collaborate with various
stakeholders in order to prevent global warming.”
Taking its commitment a decisive
step further, Sony also committed to increasing
the energy efficiency of its appliances. A target
to reduce CO2 emissions from its products has
been agreed between the two partners. Consumer
outreach strategies will also be developed.
“Sony is the first Japanese
company in consumer electronics to take corporate
responsibility this far,” said Jennifer Morgan,
Director of WWF's International Climate Change
Programme.
“It intends to make the best
effort, in terms of energy efficiency, for the
benefit of its clients, its own business and for
the future of the planet.”
Importantly, Sony officially
supports the view that the world must stay below
the danger threshold of 2°C warming of global
average temperature above pre-industrial times.
WWF says that it is still possible
to remain below that mark if governments and businesses
take action. The WWF Climate Savers Programme
is a way for progressive and cutting-edge companies
to develop new strategies and products ahead of
their competition.
END NOTES:
• WWF's Climate Savers Programme is a business
innovation initiative aimed at mobilizing companies
to cut CO2 emissions. Resulting agreements are
tailored to the circumstances and operating sector
of a company that signs up to the programme and
places the company ahead of its competitors in
terms of reducing climate changing gases. Outside
experts monitor and verify compliance with the
agreement.
• Current warming of the globe
is at about 0.7°C. First impacts are already
visible, such as rapid melting of glaciers in
all continents, sea level rise, change of seasonal
rainfall, massive droughts and the increased vehemence
of storms. Temperature rises with increasing levels
of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere. In
2004 we emitted 28 billion tons of CO2 and other
greenhouse gases into the air.
• Scientific findings suggest
that as we are raising the temperature of the
globe and impacts will gradually become more severe.
Above an overall warming of 2°C above pre-industrial
temperatures we are unlikely to be able to control
the impacts on people or nature. Widespread social
and economic decline would be the unavoidable
consequence. The 2°C threshold has been endorsed
by a number of governments, including the European
Council.
• CO2 is the most important
gas causing global warming. Others include methane
(CH4), nitrous dioxide (NO2), and several artificial
gases, including hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), perfluorocarbons
(PFCs), and sulphur hexafluoride (SF6). Sony intends
to also reduce these industrial gases.
Brian Thomson / Masako Konishi / Kumie Tanaka
