Sony has just announced that it intends to cut CO2 emissions from both operations and its product range as part of the agreement signed with WWF. Moreover, Sony Corporation has also said it will join the global conservation organization's Climate Savers Programme involving all its subsidiaries and its production facilities including Japan, China, Europe, and the US. According to the agreement, Sony will cut its absolute CO2 emissions 7% by 2010, compared to 2000 emissions of 2,183,765 tons.

"Sony strives to achieve the commitment agreed under the Climate Savers Programme through a group-wide effort," says Naofumi Hara, Corporate Executive, SVP of the Sony Corporation. "Our company continues to collaborate with various stakeholders in order to prevent global warming."

Sony's representatives stated that the manufacturer intends to increase energy efficiency in all its production facilities, as part of the newly developed long term strategy by switching fuel from oil to renewable energy sources and to natural gas (the latter has fewer CO2 emissions per unit energy produced compared to oil or coal). Sony will also replace some greenhouse gases used in specific production systems with other climate-friendly options.

The company has also agreed to lower the CO2 emissions from its products and to develop other long term consumer outreach strategies, and, moreover, to increase the energy efficiency of its appliances.

"Sony is the first Japanese company in consumer electronics to take corporate responsibility this far," said Jennifer Morgan, Director of WWF International's Climate Change Programme. "It intends to make the best effort, in terms of energy efficiency, for the benefit of its clients, its own business and for the future of the planet."