In April 2012, Fortune China Magazine ranked Sony China No.1 in CSR & Environmental activities among 100 multinational companies in the Chinese market. Sony jumped to the top of the rankings from 15th place last year thanks to its social contribution programs, ExploraScience education initiatives in Beijing, and its ambitious Road to Zero Environmental Plan.
On May 4 2012, Sony Hong Kong received the Silver Award in the Wholesalers and Retailers Sector of the 2011 Hong Kong Awards for Environmental Excellence. The award aims to encourage businesses and organizations to adopt green management and innovation. Sony Hong Kong was recognized for its efforts to reduce its environmental footprint, including waste reduction and energy saving activities at its offices.
Sony ExploraScience (SES) in Beijing has received a CSR award from the China International Public Relations Association. The award honors "the CSR event with the greatest influence on the public in 2011". Sony ExploraScience won this award for its innovative displays and programs that focus on benefits for society, including an environmental exhibition that ran during the summer months. Beijing SES also plans to open another environmental exhibition in the Spring.
One of displayed "Eco-Econnection" product mock-ups
In September 2011, under the theme "Eco-Econnection", an exhibition of eco product mock-ups from the Sony Student Design Workshop was held at Sony ExploraScience in Beijing. The Sony Student Design Workshop is a program in which Sony collaborates with China's young and creative designers. In 2010, Sony China Creative Centre selected proposals from six university students out of 216. The students then worked with Sony designers for nine days in Shanghai to bring their design concept to life in the form of a product mock-up. At the same time, the students were able to experience the actual design process of creating a product.
On June 1-3 2011, Sony participated in the Japan-China Green Expo in Beijing. The event drew 20,000 people, with Sony drawing much attention from participants and the Chinese media. The Sony booth focused on environmental R&D, including upward heat reflection film(which helps curb the heat island effect) and water purification technologies that were shown for the first time. Sony also made presentations at two R&D seminars and gave a key note speech.