Environmental Activities

• 20 ‘Superior Green Products’ to be launched by March 2010
• 10% reduction in CO₂ emissions from European manufacturing
• Sponsorship on WWF's Arctic Programme
• Staff participation in worldwide ‘eco relay’

8 October 2008, Panasonic Europe, a 100% daughter company of the Panasonic Corporation, Japan, is pleased to announce its European targets on its ‘eco ideas’ initiative. The new commitments for Europe reflect Panasonic's ‘eco ideas’ declaration that focuses on three key areas: producing energy efficient products, featuring the new ‘eco ideas’ label; reducing CO₂ emissions at all manufacturing sites; and encouraging the spread of environmental activities for people such as employees as well as customers.

Panasonic in Europe commits to 20 Superior Green Products by the end of their Financial Year 2010. The Superior Green Products are defined by Panasonic as those achieving the industry's top environmental performance. The ‘eco ideas’ label as a mark will allow consumers to easily identify such industry leading products.

As for “eco ideas for manufacturing”, Panasonic set an ambitious goal for all its production in Europe. 17 of Panasonic's 294 manufacturing companies are located in Europe, where a target has been set to cut CO₂ emissions by 10 percent, or over 6,000 tons, by March 2010 through its “Clean Factory” programme - while continuously increasing the production.

A key part of Panasonic Europe's environmental strategy is to spread eco activities and behaviour to local communities as well as employees. As part of its commitment to the environment and to society, Panasonic is announcing today it has committed to a sponsorship of WWF's Arctic Programme.
Panasonic staff across Europe are also leading by example and undertaking their own environmental projects as part of a global green ‘relay’ of eco activity. The relay will see a variety of activities taking place from numerous car free days across Europe and a “Lights Out” Campaign in Wales to voluntary litter-picking and a drawing competition for employee's children in Hungary. Each initiative shares the common objective of making tangible difference, aiming to create a ripple effect to inspire employees and Panasonic customers to do their bit for the environment.