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In addition to taking steps to lower greenhouse gas emissions from its operations, Sony is developing energy-saving products and IT technologies that help reduce CO2 emissions from Sony products during use by customers.

(Updated on August 3, 2012)

Digital Cinema Systems
The movie industry is shifting rapidly to digital technology. In 2000, Sony launched the world's first digital motion picture production camera, the HDW-F900, beginning an era of major change in the movie production industry. In 2006, Sony introduced a digital cinema projection system, and is promoting digital cinema as a means of reducing energy consumption and conserving resources.

SRW-9000 high-definition camcorder (HDCAM-SR series)

Movie Production
Within digital cinema, which converts images to data instead of using film, a wide range of efficiency improvements are possible. For example, when shooting with film, one reel only lasts approximately 10 minutes. In contrast, with digital recording systems, not only is it possible to shoot continuously for 50 minutes, the shot scenes can be checked immediately on the spot. Furthermore, post-shooting editing of digital movies offers superior efficiencies, and compatibility with computer graphics (CG)-which have come to be used extensively in recent years-is also high. Consequently, this leads to increased production efficiency and reduced costs.

Released in 2009, the SRW-9000-the first digital high-definition camcorder in the HDCAM-SR series-delivers superb image quality and performance and outstanding maneuverability. Approximately 60% the size and weight of an independent video camera and recorder combined, the SRW-9000 also uses only about half the electricity.*1

*1 Compared with the Sony F23 and SRW-1 combined

Movie Theater Operations
Moreover, because digital data is delivered to digital cinema-compatible movie theaters on a hard disc drive (HDD), there is no need to develop film, substantially reducing the need for water and chemicals used during the developing process. Further, whereas a single two-hour movie on film requires six reels of positive film, the same movie made with digital cinema needs only one HDD, thus increasing the efficiency of shipping and contributing to the reduction of associated CO2 emissions.

Total emissions of CO2 associated with a two-hour movie made using digital cinema-from the production of a complete digital cinema package through to distribution to and showing at 300 digital cinema-compatible movie theaters across Japan and final disposal-are estimated to be approximately 160 tons lower than those associated with a movie made using film.*2

Another recent example is the Sony Digital Cinema 4K™ cinema projection system which recieved the 58th Okochi Memorial Production Prize (fiscal year 2011). This system is estimated to achieve a reduction of approximately 40% in CO2 emissions compared with conventional film-based systems, and is rapidly being adopted around the world.

*2 Based on Sony data; premise for calculation is as follows:

Movie made using film
CO2 emissions from the following processes associated with a two-hour movie made using film, assuming six rolls of film per movie theater:

CO2 emissions during manufacture and developing of film
CO2 emissions during transport of film
Calculated in ton-kilometers assuming round-trip between Tokyo and each movie theater in a two-ton truck: Weight x distance traveled x fuel used per ton-kilometer x coefficient of CO2 emissions per unit of fuel used
CO2 emissions from projectors during showing of movie
Power consumption by projectors during showing of two-hour film x coefficient of CO2 emissions per unit of power consumed
CO2 emissions from disposal of film
Calculated assuming incineration of all positive film used

Movie made using digital cinema
CO2 emissions from the following processes associated with a two-hour movie made using digital cinema, assuming one HDD per movie theater:

CO2 emissions during manufacture of HDDs
Distributed proportionally assuming one HDD can be used for a total of 120 movies
CO2 emissions during transport of HDDs
Calculated in ton-kilometers assuming round-trip between Tokyo and each movie theater in a two-ton truck: Weight x distance traveled x fuel used per ton-kilometer x coefficient of CO2 emissions per unit of fuel used
CO2 emissions from projectors during showing of movie
Power consumption by projectors during showing of two-hour film x coefficient of CO2 emissions per unit of power consumed
CO2 emissions from disposal of HDDs
Calculated assuming landfilling of HDDs
CO2 emissions over the life cycle of digital cinema projectors (except during showing of movie)

Video Conferencing Systems
Meetings involving individuals from different locations generate significant CO2 emissions, the principal component of which is emissions from travel. The use of video conferencing systems can greatly reduce CO2 emissions associated with employee business trips and other travel. For example, CO2 emissions associated with a single meeting involving two employees each from five cities across Japan and held using Sony's PCS-XG80 HD video conferencing system are estimated to be approximately 1.1 tons*3 lower than would be the case if the same two employees from each of the five cities were to travel to Tokyo to participate in the meeting in person. For a meeting held 24 times a year, therefore, the total annual reduction would amount to approximately 26 tons.

*3 Based on Sony data; premise for calculation is as follows:

CO2 emissions associated with meeting in which employees participate in person

Meeting with participation of two employees each from five cities (Fukuoka, Sapporo, Hiroshima, Osaka and Nagoya) traveling to Tokyo
Participants traveling between Tokyo and Fukuoka, Tokyo and Sapporo, and Tokyo and Hiroshima, by air; participants traveling between Osaka and Tokyo, and Nagoya and Tokyo, by Shinkansen; coefficient used to calculate emissions: data for fiscal year 2008 in "CO2 Emissions per Unit of Transport (Passengers)," Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism

CO2 emissions associated with meeting held using video conferencing system

CO2 emissions from meeting held associated with use of PCS-XG80 HD video conferencing system linking six locations and six displays (KDL-32EX300) for two hours plus CO2 emissions during manufacture of equipment distributed proportionally over the number of times the equipment is used (assuming 24 times annually for 10 years)

PCS-XG80 HD video conferencing system

Sony Corporation Global Headquarters

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