Panasonic has unveiled its "Green Plan 2018" environmental action plan, aimed at stepping up its efforts to meet environmental goals in time for the company's 100th anniversary in 2018.
The electronics giant also has plans to become the No.1 green innovation company in the electronics industry by the centennial anniversary, driven by two major efforts. The Green Business Innovation plan is aimed at minimizing the environmental impacts of the company's operations, while Green Life Innovation promotes a green lifestyle to better people's lives.
The Green Plan 2018 outlines initiatives focused on seven key areas: CO2 reductions, resources recycling, water, chemical substances, biodiversity, eco-conscious products and cooperation with society. The plan also describes specific areas of activity and numerical targets.
As examples, the plan calls for reducing 120 million tons of CO2 emissions, using fiscal year 2006 as a baseline, and achieving a waste recycling ratio of 99.5 percent or more. The company also plans to double the sales of its environmentally-friendly products, compared to fiscal year 2010.
In June, Panasonic announced it exceeded its 2009 targets for reducing CO2 emissions in its European manufacturing operations, achieving a reduction of 34 percent, or 21,400 tons.
Another leading global electronics company Hitachi is also beefing up its sustainability efforts. The company launched its corporate brand campaign -- an evolution of its interconnected campaign launched earlier this year -- highlighting "social innovation business."
The new campaign, targeted at C-level executives and key business decision makers, consists of two new print advertising strategies focused on social innovation businesses including green IT, green mobility and energy industries.
The campaign also features an enhanced microsite (www.hitachi.us/connected) that categorizes Hitachi's businesses.
"Our brand campaign illustrates Hitachi's on-going commitment to improving global infrastructure, while simultaneously reducing CO2 emissions through sophisticated technology solutions by addressing some of the most pressing issues including energy, mobility, IT and health challenges facing society today," said Lauren Garvey, Director of Branding and Corporate Communications, Hitachi America, in a statement.
"Whether providing key components to improve hybrid rail transportation, facilitating industry's transition to Smart Grid solutions or making advancements in the way radiation therapy is delivered to cancer patients, Hitachi is playing an integral role in society. It is helping to shape society by providing meaningful and cutting-edge technologies for improving our society as a whole," she added.
Hitachi Europe recently partnered with Green Data Systems to open an energy-efficient data center in the Netherlands.
In September, Hitachi and Panasonic teamed up to help create smart communities through their respective community energy management systems (CEMS) and home energy management systems (HEMS) technologies.
