Japanese

History

History of Environmental Activities
History Corporate Citizenship Activities

History of Environmental Activities

Era	Year	Panasonic Group	World	Japan
~1970s	1967			Basic Law for Environmental Pollution Control enacted
	1968			Air Pollution Control Law enacted
	1970	Pollution Survey Committee established		Water Pollution Control Law enacted Waste Disposal and Public Cleansing Law enacted
	1971			Environment Agency established
	1972	Environmental Management Office established	U.N. Conference on Human Environment held in Stockholm (Declaration of Human Environment adopted)
	1973		First oil shock occurred
	1975	Environmental Management Regulations enacted
	1979		Second oil shock occurred	Energy Conservation Law enacted
1980s	1985		Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer adopted
	1987		Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer adopted World Commission on Environment and Development (the Brundtland Commission) advocated the concept of sustainable development
	1988	CFC-reduction Committee established		Ozone Layer Protection Law enacted
	1989	Environmental Protection Promotion Office established
1990s	1991	Matsushita Environmental Charter (Environmental Statement and Code of Conduct) enacted Matsushita Product Assessment adopted and implemented		Keidanren Global Environment Charter enacted by Japan Federation of Economic Organizations Law for Promotion of Effective Utilization of Resources enacted
	1992	Environmental Policy Committee established	The Earth Summit held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Agenda21 and Rio Declaration on Environment and Development adopted United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change adopted
	1993	Matsushita Environmental Voluntary Plan (Year 2000 targets) adopted Matsushita Group' global environmental internal audits launched		The Basic Environment Law enacted
	1995	Acquired Environmental Management System Certification at AV Kadoma Site (first in the Matsushita Group)	First Conference of Parties to the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP1) held in Berlin	Containers and Packaging Recycling Law enacted
	1996		ISO 14001 International Standard on Environmental Management Systems launched
	1997	Corporate Environmental Affairs Division (CEAD) established Environmental Conference established (held semi-annually)	COP3 held in Kyoto and adopted the Kyoto Protocol	Keidanren Appeal on the Environment announced by Japan Federation of Economic Organization
	1998	Love the Earth Citizens' Campaign commenced Recycling Business Promotion Office established First environmental report (1997) published		Home Appliance Recycling Law enacted (took effect in 2001) Law Concerning the Promotion of the Measures to Cope with Global Warming enacted Energy Conservation Law revised: Top Runner Approach introduced
	1999	Green Procurement launched Chemical Substances Management Rank Guidelines established Acquired ISO14001 Certification in all manufacturing business units		PRTR (Pollutant Release and Transfer Register) Law enacted
2000s	2000	Lead-free Solder Project commenced Held first environmental exhibition for general public in Osaka	Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) issued The Sustainability Reporting Guidelines	Basic Law for Establishing the Recycling-based Society enacted Law for Promotion of Effective Utilization of Resources enacted
	2001	Environmental Vision and Green Plan 2010 adopted Held Environmental Forum in Tokyo and Freiburg,Germany Panasonic Eco Technology Center launched	Reached final agreement on the actual rules of Kyoto Protocol in COP7 held in Marrakesh	Reorganized into the Ministry of the Environment Law Concerning Special Measures against PCBs enacted
	2002	Panasonic Center Tokyo opened	Johannesburg Summit (Rio+10) held	Kyoto Protocol ratified Vehicle Recycling Law enacted Law for Countermeasures against Soil Pollution enacted
	2003	Declared ‘Coexistence with the Global Environment' as one of the twin business visions Factor X advocated as an indicator for Creating Value for a New Lifestyle Completely introduced lead-free soldering globally Super GP Accreditation System launched Achieved zero waste emissions in Japanese manufacturing business sites (ongoing program) Held Environmental Forum in Tokyo	EU's WEEE Directive was enacted
	2004	Environmental Vision and Green Plan 2010 revised PCB Management Office established Superior GP Accreditation System launched		Prohibited manufacturing and use of products containing asbestos in principle
	2005	Participated in Expo 2005 Aichi, Japan as an official sponsor Green Plan 2010 revised Continued with the nationwide Lights-out Campaign 3R Eco Project launched Completed the elimination of specified substances (6 substances) in products Matsushita Group's Green Logistics Policy established CF Accreditation System introduced Panasonic Center Osaka opened Eco & Ud HOUSE opened Installed the first commercial household fuel cell cogeneration system in the new official residence of the Japanese Prime Minister Won the first place in Nikkei Environmental Management Survey	Kyoto Protocol entered into force	Expo 2005 Aichi, Japan held National campaign against global warming "Team −6%" launched Marking for the presence of the specified chemical substances for electrical and electronic equipment (J-Moss) established
	2006	Environmental specialist position established ET Manifest introduced into all manufacturing sites of Panasonic in Japan Realized lead-free plasma display panels and introduced them to the market Full-fledge introduction of biodiesel fuel in logistics	Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) Directive took effect in EU	Relief Law for Asbestos Victims enacted Energy Conservation Law revised: new cargo owner obligations, widened product scope of its application, and top runner standard revision
	2007	Energy conservation activities at our factories in Malaysia approved as CDM project by the U.N. A new environmental mark 'eco ideas' introduced Panasonic Center Beijing opened Environmental Forum in China held "Declaration of Becoming an Environmentally Contributing Company in China" announced Panasonic ‘eco ideas' Strategy announced	The Fourth Assessment Report of the Intergovernment Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) released Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals entered into force in EU Framework for CO₂ reduction agreed at Heiligendamm Summit (G8) The Bali Road Map for the post Kyoto Protocol agreed at COP13 Administration on the Control of Pollution Caused by Electronic Information Products (China RoHS) came into effect	‘Cool Earth 50' announced by Prime Minister Abe ‘21st Century Environment Nation Strategy' formulated ‘The Third National Biodiversity Strategy of Japan' formulated ‘Ministerial ordinance partially amending the Enforcement Regulation of the Waste Management and Public Cleansing Law' promulgated ‘Domestic Emissions Trading Scheme Review Committee' established ‘The Second Fundamental Plan for Establishing a Sound Material-Cycle Society' formulated
	2008	Established the Corporate CO₂ Reduction Promoting Committee Held environmental exhibitions, ‘eco ideas' World Home Appliances Company announced environmental statement in which named its Kusatsu site as ‘eco ideas' Factory Announced ‘eco ideas' Declaration in Europe Established Environmental Strategy Research Center	G20 (conference of key countries' environmental and energy ministers) held Hokkaido Toyako Summit held	Cool Earth Promotion Program announced by Prime Minister Fukuda Mislabeling incident of waste paper pulp percentage Long-term Energy Demand and Supply Outlook announced Japan's Voluntary Emission Trading Scheme started
	2009	Opened the ‘eco ideas' House to demonstrate a lifestyle with virtually zero CO₂ emissions throughout the entire house Announced the Asia Pacific ‘eco ideas' Declaration Announced ‘eco ideas' factories (in Czech, Malaysia, Thailand, and Singapore) Sanyo Electric joined the Panasonic Group	China WEEE law promulgated New framework for countermeasures against global warming on and after 2013 (post-Kyoto Protocol), the Cophenhagen Accord, was adopted at the COP15 (Copenhagen conference) Seeking to emerge from the Lehman collapse, countries throughout the world accelerated actions for the Green New Deal	Energy Conservation Law amended: Covered area expanded from factories to commercial sector facilities Flat-panel TV and clothes dryer added as covered products under the Home Appliance Recycling Law ‘Eco point' system started
2010s	2010	Announced "Vision looking to the 100th anniversary of our founding in 2018" Announced new midterm management plan, "Green Transformation 2012 (GT12)" Announced ‘eco ideas' Declarations (Latin America, Asia Pacific, and Russia) Established ‘eco ideas' Forum 2010 in Ariake, Tokyo Commenced business of Factory Energy Conservation Support Service Announcement of Green Plan 2018 Panasonic ECO RELAY Japan (PERJ) launched.	COP10 held in Nagoya—Nagoya agreement made APEC meeting held in Yokohama Ruling party lost in US midterm election—changes in anti global warming policy Cancun agreement made in COP16—Post-Kyoto framework still to be discussed	Draft legislation of Basic Law of Global Warming Countermeasures submitted but remained in deliberation Obligatory greenhouse gas emissions reduction started as a part of Tokyo Emissions Trading Scheme Waste Management and Public Cleansing Law amended: self treatment regulations tightened Act on the Evaluation of Chemical Substances and Regulation of Their Manufacture, etc. (CSCL) and Law concerning Pollutant Release and Transfer Register (PRTR) amended
	2011	Announced North America & Taiwan ‘eco ideas' Declarations Announced establishment of Panasonic Dadi Dowa Summit Recycling Hangzhou Co., Ltd. Announced the Fujisawa Sustainable Smart Town Project Established Corporate Electricity Saving Division that bridges functions across the organization	Rare earth prices soared Revised RoHS directives enforced in EU COP17 (Durban Climate Conference): Agreement made on long-term future of the scheme, and the second commitment period for the Kyoto Protocol (Japan announced non-commitment)	Home appliance eco-point incentive program finished The Great East Japan Earthquake Revised Air Pollution Control Act and Water Pollution Control Act enforced Act on Special Measures Concerning Procurement of Renewable Electric Energy by Operators of Electric Utilities enacted (Feed-in tariff system to be enforced July 2012)
	2012	Business reorganization due to full acquisition of Panasonic Electric Works and SANYO Electric Commenced sales of Resources Recycling-oriented Product series Terminated production of household incandescent light bulbs Establishment of Environmental Management Group, Environment & Quality Center, Global Manufacturing Division Communication of ‘eco ideas' Declaration (Vietnam)	United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio +20) "Doha Climate Gateway" adopted at COP 18 Doha 2012, to lay down a future legal framework in which all nations can participate by 2020 and onwards Revised WEEE Directive implemented in Europe	The Recycle Resource Project, national campaign by Ministry of the Environment, commenced 2012 Japan Tax Reform Bill enacted (Environment tax came into force in October 2012) Feed-in tariff for recyclable energy put into effect
	2013	Announced new midterm management plan Cross-Value Innovation 2015 Announced new brand slogan "A Better Life, A Better World" PETEC's home appliance recycling reached a cumulative total of 10 million units Announced ‘eco ideas' factory (Philippines)	Phase I of the Kyoto Protocol ends. Japan's target expected to be achieved in combination with forest CO₂ absorption and application of the Kyoto Protocol mechanisms. Minamata Convention on Mercury to internationally regulate import and export of mercury adopted at UN conference IPCC Fifth Assessment Report (Working Group 1) announced the possibility of human activity being the principal cause of global warming observed since the mid-20th century is "extremely high." Global average surface temperature is expected to rise as high as 4.8℃ COP 19 Warsaw reaffirmed participation of all nations in the future framework of the Convention for 2020 and later. Nations were asked to submit emission pledges well in advance of 2015	Home Appliance Recycling Law for small household appliances enforced Basic Plan for Establishing a Recycling-Based Society implemented Keidanren's "Action Plan Towards Low-Carbon Society" started (until FY 2021) Amended Law Concerning the Rational Use of Energy and Amended Law Concerning the Promotion of the Measures to Cope with Global Warming established. Amended Act on the Rational Use and Management of Fluorocarbons promulgated (June) Voluntary Action Plan by the electric and electronics industry terminated. Achieved improvement by 48% in CO₂ emissions per basic unit in average actual production output for fiscal 2009-2013 (compared with fiscal 1991 level) to the target of 35% Japan announced in November its fiscal 2021 reduction target of 3.8% over fiscal 2006 and registered this with UNFCCC Office (but with a possible review of the tentative target, which does not include possible resumption of nuclear power plant operations)
	2014	Panasonic DADI DOWA Summit Recycling Hangzhou Co., Ltd., started operation Opening of Fujisawa Sustainable Smart Town Announced Eco Declaration (Southeast Asia & Pacific) Communication of housing & town development at the International Greentech & Eco Products Exhibition & Conference (IGEM) (Malaysia)	Targets for product environmental regulations in Europe begin to shift from energy saving to resource efficiency and environmental impact EU Parliament reelection results in the appointment of Mr. Jean-Claude Juncker as President of the European Commission. Review of the circular economy package was decided. IPCC 5th Assessment Report analyzed that the current multiple ways to achieve control of global temperature rise to less than 2°C cannot be materialized unless the target becomes nearly zero by the end of the century. Attention to "adaptation" is growing. COP12 Convention on Biodiversity, PyeongChang concluded the interim assessment of the Aichi Biodiversity Targets as "progress has been made but remains inadequate" COP 20 (Peru) reached agreement on the policy of developing reduction targets based on common rules for publication of "a new legal framework beyond 2020 applicable to all Parties"	The amended Energy Conservation Act was enforced, incorporating action on power conservation during peak periods into existing qualitative reduction targets Phase II of the Commitment to a Low Carbon Society, a voluntary program promoted by Keidanren as measures against global warming, was newly established in response to government request, setting the target year to 2030 Toyota Motor launched fuel-cell vehicle MIRAI into the commercial market
	2015	Won Zayed Future Energy Prize 2015 Wonder Japan Solutions (Tokyo) held for the first time Announced the introduction of indirect contributions through housing, automotive, and B2B solutions in the size of contribution in reducing CO₂ emissions Announced the Tsunashima Sustainable Smart Town development project, together with Yokohama City and Nomura Real Estate Development Company	Paris Agreement on the international legal framework for global warming control from 2020 and later was adopted at COP21 (Paris) 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development was adopted at the UN Summit, focusing chiefly on sustainable development goals (SDGs)	Draft proposal to cut greenhouse gases by 26% over 2013 levels as its 2030 greenhouse gas reduction target announced by the Japanese government COOL CHOICE, a new nationwide movement for greenhouse gas reduction, started
	2016	Establishment of Environmental Management Department, Quality & Environment Division Announced R&D 10-Year Vision Revised Green Plan 2018 Announced participation in Future Living Berlin, the first Smart City project in Germany Announced collaboration with Tesla Motors for solar batteries.	G7 Toyama Environment Ministers' Meeting held; ministers representing the G7 nations and the EU discussed policies on seven themes including resource efficiency and 3R, biodiversity, climate change, and related measures UK decided to leave the EU (Brexit) in a national referendum GRI announced "GRI Standard," the new guidelines for CSR reports COP 22 held in Marrakesh, Morocco. Agreement reached on establishing a rulebook to make the Paris Agreement effective by 2018 Donald Trump won the US presidential election COP 13, the 13th meeting of the Conference of the Parties on Biological Diversity, held in Cancun, Mexico	The 2016 Kumamoto Earthquake The Plan for Global Warming Countermeasures was decided by the Cabinet. Direction of Japan's global warming countermeasures to achieve the Intended Nationally Determined Contributions under COP 21 was clarified. Long-term goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 80% by 2050 was set. Act on Promotion of Global Warming Countermeasures was amended; focuses on promoting the enhancement of Cool Choice, the reinforcement of international cooperation, and regional global warming countermeasures
	2017	Announcement of Panasonic Environment Vision 2050 Opening of Tsunashima Sustainable Smart Town	France, UK, and China announced the prohibition of sales of gas and diesel cars and the conversion to EVs in the future	Revision of the Charter of Corporate Behavior delivering on the SDGs through the realization of Keidanren Society 5.0
	2018	Announcement of Monozukuri (Manufacturing) Vision Achievement of zero-CO₂ factories at Panasonic Eco Technology Center Co., Ltd. (PETEC), Panasonic Energy Belgium N.V. (PECBE), and Panasonic do Brazil (PANABRAS)	COP24 was held. The policy based on the Paris Agreements to be uniformly applied to all member countries was adopted	The fifth Basic Environment Plan was decided by the Cabinet. Set up six cross-field strategies utilizing the concepts of SDGs
	2019	Announcement of Green Plan 2021 Participation in ‘RE100', an international initiative for the use of 100% renewable energy as electricity used in business operations	UN Climate Action Summit was held. Rising trend of achieving net zero greenhouse gas emissions, with a target of limiting global temperature rise to 1.5℃ COP25 was held in Spain. The statement urging governments to increase the GHG reduction targets was adopted	G20 Osaka Summit was held. "Osaka Blue Ocean Vision", which aims to further reduce pollution caused by marine plastic wastes, was shared
2020s	2020	Launched a Global Circular Economy Project to accelerate corporate-wide activities to build a circular economy Started Sustainable Management Promotion Consortium where internal members who are interested in sustainablity get together to discuss related topics. Achieved zero-CO₂ factory in PEC (Wuxi) in China.	Countries accelerated their decarbonization efforts and subsequently announced carbon neutrality statements. EU released a new battery regulation proposal.	Announced carbon neutrality by 2050. Formulated "Green Growth Strategy Through Achieving Carbon Neutrality in 2050."
	2021	Environment Vision transformed to GREEN IMPACT. Set up Sustainability Management Committee led by the Group CEO.	COP26 was held in UK. Countries agreed to aim for 1.5°C target for global warming.	Announced reduction of GHG emissions by 46% below FY2013 levels by FY2030 and continuing strenuous effort in its challenge toward a 50% reduction as Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). Formulated the Sixth Strategic Energy Plan.
	2022	Announced impact targets to reduce CO₂ emissions in the world by 2050 that is the target year set in the Panasonic Green Impact. Announced the Green Impact Plan 2024. Automotive Systems Co., Ltd. achieved zero carbon at all its sites worldwide.	COP 27 was held in Egypt. COP 15 in Canada; the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) was adopted. IPCC announced its Sixth Assessment Report.	The Japan's government announced 'its basic policy toward achieving GX (Green Transformation)'. METI announced 'its Growth- Oriented, Resource-Autonomous Circular Economy strategy'. Keidanren announced 'Towards Green Transformation (GX)'.
	2023	Group CEO talked in a seminar at the Japan Pavilion in COP28 (Dubai), about significance of the avoided emissions and necessity of its global standardization. Sustainable Forest in the Kusatsu site was certified as "Shizen Kyosei Site" by Japan's MoE. Panasonic Group Circular Economy (CE) Policy was formulated.	Importance of recognition of the avoided emissions is mentioned explicitly in the respective outcome documents of G7 Ministers' Meeting on Climate, Energy, and Environment in the G7 summits in Sapporo and Hiroshima. TNFD published its final recommendations such as information disclosure on biodiversity. ISSB published its final sustainability disclosure standards.	Japan's MoE launched Decokatsu (National Movement for New and Valuable Lifestyles leading to Decarbonization). Japan's MoE started to certifying sites where biodiversity has been conserved by private sector's initiatives, etc., as "Shizen Kyosei Site".

History

History of Environmental Activities

History Corporate Citizenship Activities

Panasonic Group Corporate Citizenship Activities History