Sony

Sony Achieves Approximately 40% Reduction in Global Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Fiscal 2011 Through Fiscal 2015, Compared to Fiscal 2000 Levels

Under the Green Management 2015 environmental mid-term targets, Sony put forward specific goals for each stage of the product lifecycle. Above, the main results of fiscal 2015 initiatives.

The following video presents Global corporations and governments working together to reduce supply chain emissions:
“Learn how large corporations and government are working with the Carbon Disclosure Project to engage their supply chain and reduce carbon.”
Featuring

  • Christiana Figueres (Executive Secretary, United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change),
  • Bart Becht (CEO ReckittBenckiser),
  • Lord Henley (Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, UK Government),
  • Richard Evans (President, PepsoCO UK & Ireland),
  • Karen Quintos (Senior Vice President and CMO, Dell)
  • Martha Johnson (Administrator of the United States General Services Administration),
  • Henry Billingham (Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, UK Government),
  • Sir Gus O’Donnell (Cabinet Secretary and Head of the Civil Service) and
  • Sir Howard Stringer (Chairman, CEO & President, Sony Corporation).

This is an update to these previous blogs:

Sony recently announced that it successfully achieved almost all of the 27 “Green Management 2015” group environmental mid-term targets which it set for the period spanning from fiscal 2011 through fiscal 2015. This includes an approximately 40% reduction in absolute greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions across its sites worldwide, compared to fiscal 2000 levels.

Sony’s performance results achieved through Green Management 2015 include:

  • Absolute greenhouse gas emissions at Sony sites reduced by 41% (Target: 30% compared to fiscal 2000 levels).
  • Annual energy consumption per product reduced by 33% (Target: 30% compared to 2008 levels).
  • Minimizing waste generation and water usage at its sites and for the amounts of volatile organic compounds (VOC) released to the atmosphere, as shown in the table below.

Under Green Management 2020, Sony will continue striving to promote the recycling of waste generated at its sites, and to develop and utilize recycled plastics that endow products with flame resistance and other sought after qualities.

Since it was introduced in 2011, a recycled plastic called SORPLAS™ – Sustainable-Oriented Recycled Plastic, developed in-house – is used in many Sony products. And starting this fall, other manufactures can also use this remarkable material. Image courtesy of Sony

Since it was introduced in 2011, a recycled plastic called SORPLAS™ – Sustainable-Oriented Recycled Plastic, developed in-house – is used in many Sony products. And starting this fall, other manufactures can also use this remarkable material. Image courtesy of Sony

NEWS RELEASE

September 07, 2016

Sony Achieves Approximately 40%* Reduction in Global Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Reports Its Performance on “Green Management 2015” Environmental Mid-Term Targets

* Compared to fiscal 2000 levels

Tokyo, Japan – Sony Corporation (“Sony”) today announced that it successfully achieved almost all of the 27 “Green Management 2015” group environmental mid-term targets which it set for the period spanning from fiscal 2011 through fiscal 2015. This includes an approximately 40% reduction in absolute greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions across its sites worldwide, compared to fiscal 2000 levels.

Green Management 2015 is a set of environmental targets based on the Sony Group’s “Road to Zero” environmental plan which aims for a zero environmental footprint by 2050. The targets were backcasted (calculated backwards) from this 2050 vision and were set to be met by the end of fiscal 2015. Sony has been making considerable progress in its endeavors to reduce environmental impact, toward the ultimate goal of a zero environmental footprint. In April 2016, Sony set about pursuing its new “Green Management 2020” targets which it aims to achieve by the end of fiscal 2020. Under Green Management 2020, the company will further accelerate its various initiatives to reduce its environmental footprint. Major targets in Green Management 2020 include reducing the annual energy consumption of its products by an average of 30% (compared to fiscal 2013 levels), reducing absolute GHG emissions across all Sony sites by 5% (compared to fiscal 2015 levels), and collaborating with major manufacturing contractors and other business partners to reduce environmental impact across Sony’s entire value chain.

Notable Performance Results Achieved through Green Management 2015:

1. Absolute greenhouse gas emissions at Sony sites reduced by 41% (Target: 30% compared to fiscal 2000 levels)

Sony has proactively moved to curb GHG emissions across all of its sites, both manufacturing and otherwise, by promoting greater production efficiency and adopting highly efficient manufacturing equipment. These efforts resulted in a 41% reduction, far surpassing the initial 30% target. Sony was able to achieve this target not only by increasing efficiency at its building facilities, but also through its “Eco Challenge Project” in which employees on the front lines of production, intimately familiar with manufacturing sites, participated in energy-saving activities, as well as other energy-saving initiatives implemented at Sony sites.

2. Annual energy consumption per product reduced by 33% (Target: 30% compared to 2008 levels)

Through its efforts to make its wide range of products more energy efficient, compact, and lighter, Sony was able to reduce annual energy consumption per product by 33%, exceeding the initial 30% target. With its BRAVIA® LCD TVs, for example, Sony has equipped its leading models with “ECO Drive,” which controls the LED backlight and panel with high precision to lower energy consumption. These TVs realize beautiful visuals, with high picture quality and contrast, all while curbing energy consumption.

3. Other targets

Sony achieved other targets, such as for minimizing waste generation and water usage at its sites and for the amounts of volatile organic compounds (VOC) released to the atmosphere, as shown in the table below.
On the other hand, the fact that some waste generated by Sony operations cannot be recycled in certain countries and regions prevented Sony from achieving its target for a 99% or higher recycling rate globally. Still, it achieved a high standard of 95% by ensuring that waste is sorted at all sites and by selecting recyclers. In terms of targeted reductions in the utilization ratio of virgin oil-based plastics in products, Sony worked to promote the use of recycled plastics by focusing on developing new materials, but with a reduction of 4.3%, it fell short of its target of 5%. Under Green Management 2020, Sony will continue striving to promote the recycling of waste generated at its sites, and to develop and utilize recycled plastics that endow products with flame resistance and other sought after qualities.

Table: Summary of other targets set under Green Management 2015 and final performance
Lifecycle stage Target Base year Performance
Operations Reduce absolute waste generation by 50% Fiscal 2000 Down 73%
Operations Reduce absolute water consumption by 30% Fiscal 2000 Down 54%
Operations Reduce the amounts of VOC released to the atmosphere by 50% Fiscal 2000 Down 58%
Operations Reduce the amounts of Class 3 substances released to water, and the amounts transferred to sewer / as waste (including VOC) by 14% Fiscal 2008 Down 15%
Operations Promote environmental activities respecting the needs of the local community Conducted biodiversity protection activities at all sites as part of community engagement activities
Product planning and design Reduce mass of products by 10% Fiscal 2008 Down 30%

Detailed performance on Green Management 2015 is available on the Sony homepage:

CSR Reporting – Environment


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