In the course of joining Climate Savers, Sony consulted with the WWF on a number of occasions about setting target values and related matters. Ultimately, the following four major objectives were defined.
1. The greenhouse gases emitted by Sony Group as a whole will be reduced by fiscal 2010 to a level 7% lower than in fiscal 2000.
Sony Group sites in countries around the world have taken participation in this program as an occasion to set goals for greenhouse gas reduction at higher levels than the figures they had previously set in-house. The objective is for emissions in fiscal 2010 to be reduced 7% from their level in fiscal 2000. In terms of volume, this is a 150,000-ton reduction in greenhouse gases.
The concrete methods for achieving this goal include the introduction of energy-saving equipment and facilities, the purchase of wind, solar, and other forms of green electric power*1, switching to natural gas as a fuel, and taking active measures to reduce the emissions of PFC, HFC, and SF6*2, which are considered to have a greater greenhouse effect than CO2
*1 Green electric power is electricity generated using energy that does not impose an environmental burden (i.e., is green). In other words, this is natural energy such as wind power, solar power, biomass, microhydropower, geothermal energy, and other forms of energy.
*2 Greenhouse gases are gases that are thought to be causal factors in global warming. The main greenhouse gas is carbon dioxide (CO2). Other greenhouse gases include methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), perfluorocarbons (PFCs), and sulfur hexafluoride (SF6), which are gases with an extremely powerful greenhouse effect.
2. The annual consumption of electric power by Sony products will be reduced, thus reducing the amount of CO2 emitted when consumers use the products.
Practically all of Sony's products use electricity, and electric power has been identified as one of the main sources of greenhouse gas emissions attributable to households. The idea here is that in addition to reducing greenhouse gas emissions in their own activities, companies will develop products that are more energy efficient. By doing so, the company and the customers who use its products will form a partnership that contributes to the prevention of global warming.
We feel that this objective will also bring considerable benefits to customers. The products they use will save energy because of reduced electricity consumption, for example, and will provide greater convenience because they are lighter and more compact.
3. In cooperation with the WWF, communications regarding prevention of global warming will be established with consumers.
A variety of special events and other measures will be carried out together with the WWF to make activities for prevention of global warming seem more familiar and natural to consumers.
4. Support the WWF's view that the atmospheric temperature increase should be kept to less than 2°C.
The average atmospheric temperature on Earth has risen 0.7°C over the past century. The effects can already be seen close at hand, as glaciers melt, sea levels rise, and abnormal climatic changes take place. If the average atmospheric temperature of the Earth continues to rise to a point 2°C higher than levels before the Industrial Revolution (1760s), it is possible that the effects on humankind and on nature will be beyond control.
It is still possible to keep the temperature increase below 2°C if governments and companies address the issue seriously. Sony supports this view, and finds great significance in taking action to realize a large-scale goal in a long-term vision of this kind.
- In order to hold global warming in check, it is essential that governments, companies and individual consumers each act to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. With the four objectives proclaimed by the Climate Savers program as basic principles, Sony intends to continue its efforts toward prevention of global warming.
