Environment: Global Warming Adaptation
Global Warming Adaptation
Panasonic is also making efforts for adaptation to address unavoidable impacts on the global environment that cannot be addressed by mitigation measures. Such adaptation is based on the matters indicated by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) etc., focusing on the impact of climate change on the ecosystem, society, and the economy.
Further, we understand that it is important for the measures to take account of regional feature, as impacts of climate change vary according to the region. Our measures are currently implemented from the viewpoints of the following two aspects:
(1) Activities to reduce the impact of climate change through our products, services, and solutions; and
(2) Activities to reduce the impact on our corporate activities
Specific examples of (1) include the Green AC.
Panasonic commercialized Green AC as a heat countermeasure and for spatial performance applications. The Silky Fine Mist (dry mist) is made by mixing water and air to create a fine mist that does not feel wet. It can be used to reduce the summer heat in open spaces or to create fantastic performances in spaces by combining the mist with laser light and music.
Since the mist evaporative cooling system can demonstrate a cooling capacity that exceeds the amount of heat exhausted from the equipment, it is gentle to the global environment and provides efficient cooling that cools space and directly removes human body heat. The two-fluid mist nozzle developed in-house has low air consumption and even with low-pressure air (of 0.25 MPa or less), it is possible to spray mist particles as fine as 6 to 10 μm in diameter. The Green AC Flex Series, which can be constructed with flexible plastic piping to connect the sprayer to each mist nozzle, can be retrofitted to existing structures and can be designed to be integrated with benches and public monuments. The large-capacity 200 volt single-phase model can efficiently form cool spots and create performance spaces, even in large-scale outdoor spaces such as stadiums and roads. It is expected to reduce the negative impact that global warming has on people's lives.
In addition, the Green AC can be used as a two-fluid humidification system for factory humidification. When used for the humidification required to prevent static electricity in the manufacturing processes of a factory, it realizes a near 90% reduction in primary energy use (CO2 emissions) compared to conventional steam humidification equipment.
As for (2), the first priority is to identify the issues to be addressed by assessing the impact of climate change on Panasonic. One such issue is the effect of water shortages on our production activities. Panasonic completed all water risk assessments for its production sites in fiscal 2018. As of now, we have not identify any visible water risk that may affect its business activities. For further details, please see Water Resource Conservation.