CEO Sir Howard Stringer says the firm will create a green model for others to follow while setting itself a zero environmental footprint target by 2050.
Sony has launched what it calls the “Road to Zero" environmental plan, which includes targets it wants to have achieved by 2015 as well as the overall goal of “achieving a zero environmental footprint by 2050”. The firm will use what it calls backcasting methods to set specific mid-term environmental targets for the next five years in line with that goal.
Sony said that its definition of a zero environmental footprint is not only limited to the neutralisation of carbon emissions, but it also extends to waste and use of finite materials such as oil-derived virgin plastics.
Targets are based on four environmental perspectives - climate change, resource conservation, control of chemical substances and biodiversity - across all product lifecycle stages, from research and development to recycling.
The mid-term targets will be implemented globally across the Sony Group from April 2011 and will extend through to March 2016, when new targets for the following five years will be set. Sony also said that it had already made “significant progress” in reducing its environmental impact around the world.
"We are fully committed to putting our innovative spirit and technological expertise to use to help solve environmental challenges," said Stringer. "From the development of new materials and energy-efficient technologies, to the introduction of better processes in manufacturing and production, we will work aggressively to meet the ambitious targets we are setting for ourselves and, at the same time, establish a model for others in our industries to follow."
The company’s mid-term targets include:
- 30% reduction in annual energy consumption of products (compared to fiscal 2008)
- 10% reduction in product mass (compared to fiscal 2008)
- 50% absolute reduction in waste generation (compared to fiscal 2000)
- 30% absolute reduction in water consumption (compared to fiscal 2000)
- 14% reduction in total CO2 emissions associated with all transportation and logistics (compared to fiscal 2008)
- 16% reduction in incoming parts packaging waste (compared to fiscal 2008)
- Increase of waste recycle ratio to 99% or more
- 5% reduction in utilization ratio of virgin oil-based plastics in products (compared to fiscal 2008)
- Assessment of impact of resource procurement and facility construction on biodiversity, and promotion of biodiversity programs such as groundwater cultivation
- Minimization of the risk of chemical substances through preventive measures; reduction in use of specific chemicals defined by Sony; and promotion of use of alternative materials