Environmental Activities

Panasonic Asia Pacific officially announced its partnership with Singapore’s National Environment Agency (NEA) on a new module for NEA’s Environment Champions (Schools) — the Panasonic-NEA Environment Champions (Schools) Industry Module on 26 Jan 2010.

Panasonic Asia Pacific announced this partnership at the launch of its ‘eco ideas’ Factory*1 in Singapore. Panasonic Refrigeration Devices Singapore (PRDS) was selected as an ‘eco ideas’ Factory as it is one of Panasonic’s biggest manufacturing sites in Asia and Panasonic is a leading manufacturer and supplier of refrigeration compressors globally.
Panasonic’s ‘eco ideas’ Factory is a model facility which embodies Panasonic’s ‘eco ideas’ strategy, which was first published by the company globally in 2007. The ‘eco ideas’ Factory in Singapore will play a crucial role in achieving Panasonic’s green commitments in the Asia Pacific region to manufacture eco-conscious products, develop sustainable industry practices and, more importantly, raise a level of eco consciousness in the community.
On the same day, PRDS hosts the ‘eco ides’ Factory event in Singapore and invites about 120 people including executive officers of the NEA, Japanese embassy, teachers and student who participate this program, and media such as TV and newspapers.

• *1 As ‘eco ideas’ Factories in the Asian Pacific region, Panasonic has selected PAVCKM (Panasonic AVC Networks Kuala Lumpur Malaysia) and PHAT (Panasonic Home Appliances Thailand) as well as PRDS. In addition, Panasonic has two ‘eco ideas’ Factories; the Kusatsu Factory of Home Appliances Company in Siga-Prefecture Japan selected in June 2008 and PAVCCZ (Panasonic AVC Networks Czech) in Czech Republic, Europe selected in June 2009.

• Through the module, primary and secondary school students who have participated in NEA’s Environment Champions Programme (which involves all primary and secondary schools, junior colleges and centralised institutes) will have a chance to gain first-hand knowledge of environmental activities, such as pollution control and energy conservation measures used by industries, with coaching from Panasonic employees. This collaboration is the first project in that NEA is working with an industry partner to roll out an experiential environment education module.
• A total of six sessions will be held (three sessions each for primary and secondary school Environment Champions) throughout a year from March 2010. (About 80 students in each session)
• Following these sessions, the students can submit project proposals on protecting the environment and shortlisted proposals will receive seed funding from Panasonic to implement their environmental projects. The best projects stand to win a study trip to Japan where the students will get to learn more about advanced environmental technologies.