Panasonic – the case for carbon offsetting
“We must do everything we can to reduce CO2 emissions as a matter of priority”
For Panasonic concern for the environment has been part of the company’s vision since it was founded. However, as global environmental issues have become more serious Panasonic has accelerated its shift towards sustainability. In 2008 for example, Panasonic pledged to reduce CO2 emissions in manufacturing by 300,000 tonnes from 2007 levels, Panasonic has far exceeded this goal by reducing 840,000 tonnes. Emissions from product use are being tackled as well; Panasonics professional projectors for example have reduced power consumption on various models by as much as 57%. This year Panasonic set a goal to be the ‘number one green innovation company in the electronics industry by 2018’ which it will achieve through its “Eco Ideas” initiatives.
One such “Eco Ideas” initiative is Panasonics “Offset for Life” programme, which started with their professional projector range. Although Panasonic projectors are among the most energy efficient you can buy they still consume electricity in use, creating carbon emissions. Panasonic listened to its customer’s requests for brighter and more powerful projectors that also help to meet their environmental and CSR targets, and in response created the ‘Offset for Life’ programme.
“Whilst we pride ourselves on engineering products offering high performance, longevity and low carbon emissions, we maintain a realistic outlook and accept that it’s not possible to eliminate emissions altogether. It is for this reason that we decided that carbon offsetting was the most appropriate solution to offer our customers.”
The ‘Offset for Life’ initiative is a non-profit making scheme for Panasonic that helps customers offset unavoidable emissions. Using a PricewaterhouseCoopers (PWC) verified calculator, customers can work out the carbon consumed during the lifetime of a projector and purchase Gold Standard certified carbon credits from ClimateCare to offset this usage.