WWF and Sony sign climate saving deal

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 seven per cent by 2010, compared to 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.

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Brian Thomson

Press Officer

WWF International

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