Panasonic Asia Pacific announced today its ‘eco ideas’ Declaration 2011, which strengthens its environmental commitment and builds upon last year’s declaration of becoming the “No. 1 Green Innovation Company” in the electronics industry by 2018.
‘eco ideas’ Declaration 2011
The ‘eco ideas’ Declaration 2011 in Asia Pacific is based on the new Panasonic Group with the acquisition of Sanyo, thus providing more eco products and holistic solutions to better meet the needs of consumers and businesses.
The new Managing Director of Panasonic Asia Pacific, Mr Yorihisa Shiokawa explains:
The ‘eco ideas’ Declaration outlines Panasonic’s green commitment towards making environment central to our business planning, as we demonstrate how going green can bring about positive impact for a company’s bottom-line. We are focusing on the important areas of environment and energy to provide comprehensive solutions in achieving higher business growth and to contribute towards a greener society.
The new declaration consists of 6 targets for ‘eco ideas’ for Lifestyles, to promote lifestyles with virtually zero CO2 emissions, and ‘eco ideas’ for Business-styles, to create businesses that make the best use of resources and energy.
‘eco ideas’ for Lifestyles
For ‘eco ideas’ for Lifestyles, the first target is to promote eco products sales and achieve 80% sales contribution by March 2013. The percentage of sales contributed by eco products has increased from 49% in March 2010 to 66% in March 2011. Panasonic would continue to promote sales of its eco products through expanding the range of ECONAVI products, which carry an intelligent sensor that detects room conditions and automatically optimise performance.
The second target is to expand the Panasonic Global Eco Learning Programme to reach 200,000 students in the region by March 2013 and launch a new programme in Malaysia. Currently, the programme has reached out to more than 19,000 students in Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia and India. The programme includes learning modules such as global warming, biodiversity, eco technology, creating products with the environment in mind, and eco lifestyle, and a site visit to an ‘eco ideas’ Factory.
The third target is to develop a new comprehensive energy and environment solutions business in Asia Pacific with the new Panasonic Group’s capability, and attaining USD 2 billion of sales by 2018. This includes solutions for creating, saving, storing and managing energy for homes, stores and communities.
‘eco ideas’ for Business-styles
For ‘eco ideas’ for Business-styles, the first target is to reduce 600,000 tons of CO2 emissions from business-as-usual level (level of CO2 emissions projected assuming no improvement is made since FY 2005) by March 2013. Panasonic’s target in last year’s declaration was to reduce 500,000 tons of CO2 emissions from business-as-usual level by March 2013, but it has actually reduced 520,000 tons by March 2011. In view of this good progress, Panasonic decided to set a higher target of 600,000 tons of CO2 emissions reduction, which is equivalent to planting about 33 million trees.
The second target is to develop 3 more ‘eco ideas’ Factories in Asia Pacific by 2013. There are currently 4 ‘eco ideas’ Factories in Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia. To be an ‘eco ideas’ Factory, the factory has to meet an internal green factory assessment system, which includes targets for water, energy, carbon emissions, chemical substances and waste recycling. The ‘eco ideas’ Factory would also serve to communicate and spread ‘eco ideas’ to students and the community.
The third target is to organise the first Asia Pacific ‘eco ideas’ Forum at the Singapore International Energy Week 2011 (SIEW) as the platinum sponsor to facilitate sharing of ‘eco ideas’ among energy industry players and Singapore SMEs.
Solar Energy
The new Panasonic Group also see business opportunities for solar. With the global demand for solar energy, and Japan’s shift to greater use of renewable energy after the recent nuclear disaster, Panasonic Asia Pacific expects more business opportunities for solar energy, and with the integration of Sanyo’s solutions, Panasonic is able to provide complete energy cycle management and tap on this increasing solar demand.
Energy Efficiency
With regards to the government’s push for energy efficiency and the upcoming Energy Conservation Act for Singapore in 2013, Mr Low Beng Huat, General Manager, Regional Planning and Affairs Group, welcomes the move as Panasonic already has energy management and targets in place for its factories. The push for energy efficiency has also helped Panasonic through tapping on government funding and training schemes. In addition, the introduction of minimum energy performance standards for household air-conditioners and refrigerators has enabled Panasonic to differentiate its energy efficient appliances with those that are less energy efficient.
The new Panasonic Group is on the right track in strengthening its environmental commitment with the ‘eco ideas’ Declaration, and look set to meet the growing demand for energy efficiency and renewable energy solutions.
