Basic Approach

Green Plan 2010 establishes performance targets for fiscal 2011 and sets out activities to achieve these goals through the reduction of environmental impacts based on three core themes.

Creating Value for a New Lifestyle at the household level

"Creating Value for a New Lifestyle" describes our basic approach to improve the lives of customers while reducing environmental impacts. We have developed a unique indicator called Factor X to measure progress toward this goal. Our aim for fiscal 2011 is to realize GHG (greenhouse gas) Factor 5 for a single household.

Every product a Green Product (GP)

We accredit our products and services that meet enhanced environmental performance criteria as GPs, based on internal standards for GHG emissions, resource utilization and usage of chemical substances. The GP development rate measures the total value of Green Products shipped from our factories as a proportion of all the products developed in that year. We are aiming to raise this rate to at least 90% by fiscal 2011, even while progressively raising the accreditation standards.

Every production site a Clean Factory (CF)

Introduced in fiscal 2006, our CF Accreditation System quantitatively evaluates the efforts of each production site worldwide to reduce the environmental impact of its operations. The CF accreditation rate measures the proportion of Panasonic factories worldwide that have met our internal criteria. By fiscal 2011 we aim to raise this figure to 90% or more.

Environmental management policies and core activities are formulated on an annual basis across Panasonic and its group subsidiaries, based on Green Plan 2010 and the business plans announced at the start of each year. The Environmental Working Committee meets three times a year.

The first committee meeting is held in February, and the results of this meeting are circulated to all employees. Based on the above, each business domain company formulates three-year GP development and CF accreditation plans against which progress is measured.

In June, we review the results achieved in the previous fiscal year in the next committee meeting. Activity plans for the current fiscal year are revised or reinforced as necessary. To prevent complacency, Panasonic also invites experts in environmental fields to give presentations to managers. These opportunities to listen to independent professional viewpoints help us make steady progress toward achieving environmental management goals.

In October, representatives of environmental management operations from each global region participate in the next committee meeting. As well as reviewing progress, this meeting is a forum for sharing case studies and best practices around the world with the aim of achieving a higher overall standard of activities. The meeting also studies environmental management policies and core activities for the following fiscal year.

This system of three meetings per year by the Environmental Working Committee provides a powerful tool for implementing environmental management PDCA cycles. Panasonic remains committed to achieving the Green Plan 2010 goals.