Environmental Leader

Sony Europe has taken a leading role in the use of renewable energy, achieving 100 percent renewable energy usage in FY08, according to a press release.

Globally, Sony reduced 100,000 tons of CO2 emissions through renewable energy use and offsets in FY08. At Sony Europe, every facility with more than 100 employees is powered exclusively with renewable energy, amountng to 190 million kilowatt hours, or about 55,000 tons of carbon emissions.

In the U.S., Sony purchased 42 million kWh of renewable energy in FY08, or about a 25,000 ton reduction in CO2 emissions.

Starting in April, Sony DADC, a producer of optical disc media, has pledged to use 83 million kWh of green power annually in the U.S., an amount that should meet 44 percent of the unit’s needs.

At Sony Picture’s Arizona data center, the company is using 100 percent renewable energy. The firm has put photovoltaic cells atop its Culver City, Calif., headquarters, and it is trying out biodiesel in its film production, such as in generators used on set.

In Japan, Sony has bought enough Green Power Certificates to offset half the electricity used in its Tokyo headquarters, beginning this October.

Sony Ericsson received a green rating in the latest update of Greenpeace International’s “Guide to Greener Electronics.” As a corporation, however, Sony rated low- it was 11th out of 17 electronics companies rated.

In May, Sony Pictures Home Entertainment said that all future Blu-ray and DVD titles will be sold in more sustainable packaging.

Sony has pledged to reduce carbon emissions associated with its DVD manufacturing by 2 million pounds in North America by 2010.