Sony Global - News Release - Sony to lower its CO2 emissions in Climate Savers deal with WWF

The following information is true and accurate at the time of publication.

July 25, 2006

Sony to lower its CO₂ emissions in Climate Savers deal with WWF

Tokyo, Japan - Sony will cut CO₂ emissions from both operations and its product range as part of a deal struck with WWF.

Sony Corporation is joining the global conservation organization’s ambitious Climate Savers Programme, the two organizations announced today. The company’s commitment includes all its subsidiaries and its production facilities globally, including Japan, China, Europe, and the US.

Sony will cut its absolute CO₂ emissions seven per cent by 2010, compared to 2000 emissions of 2,183,765 tons.

Sony 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.

“Sony strives to achieve the commitment agreed under the Climate Savers Programme through a group-wide effort,” says Naofumi Hara, Corporate Executive, SVP 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 International’s 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.

EDITORS NOTES

*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 (Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), Perfluorocarbons (PFCs); and Sulphur hexafluoride (SF6). Sony intends to also reduce these industrial gases.

*Sony and WWF Japan have cooperated successfully in the past, in promoting green power and the entry into force of the Kyoto Protocol. By Sony’s commitment to WWF’s Climate Savers Programme, Sony and WWF’s engagement have become stronger.

*For more information on WWF’s Global Climate Change Programme go to http://www.panda.org/climate.

*For more information on Sony’s activities on Corporate Social Responsibility go to http://www.sony.net/csr/