By SE Sustainability team
14th February 2012.
12:26
Tag Archives: sustainability
This is one of the things that you can read about in our brand new 2011 Sustainability report just published on our website. In the report you will find more information about our GreenHeart™ credentials, how we work with critical substances, our carbon footprint, Lifecycle Analysis, Community Engagement activities and much more.
Two weeks ago UNEP (United Nations Environmental Programme) hosted a SAICM*-meeting in the historic city of Belgrade, Serbia. SAICM stands for Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management and is part of UNEP. The meeting was held in preparation for next year’s International Conference of Chemicals Management (ICCM-3) which will address toxic substances. (more…)
Today Greenpeace released the 17th version of its Guide to Greener Electronics. In the guide they have ranked 15 manufacturers of personal computers, mobile phones and TVs according to the following categories; Energy and Climate, Greener Products and Sustainable Operations. Sony Ericsson was ranked 6th place, scoring 4.2 out of 10, placing us at the top amongst the Android™ smartphone players.
In this edition, Greenpeace has changed the scoring system, introduced tougher requirements and updated many criteria. New criteria were also added, raising the bar for the manufacturers. Overall, the new ranking has stronger focus on energy and climate issues. (more…)
As we wrote in our earlier blog post, Sony Ericsson China invited 10 students from the Sony Ericsson Hope Schools to visit Beijing and participate in the Beijing Marathon.
At 9 o’clock in the morning on the day of the Marathon, the ten students and Sony Ericsson employees including Magnus Ahlqvist, President of Sony Ericsson Greater China, set off in the race. Many Sony Ericsson employees had gathered to cheer for the runners and held up banners for them on both sides of the road. (more…)
The sustainability work of Sony Ericsson does not only revolve around substance control and reducing our environmental impact, it also includes community engagement. That is why we thought it was about time to post something a bit less “technical”.
As you may know, Sony Ericsson is involved in the development of education in China through the Hope School project. In 2009 and 2010, Sony Ericsson funded the building of two Hope Primary Schools, one in the Sichuan Province and one in the Shanxi Province. In 2011, we continue to support the Hope School project by funding another Hope School! This time in the Hebei Province. (more…)
Yesterday the European Parliament voted for a compromise with the European Commission and the Council of Ministers regarding the review of the RoHS directive. The RoHS review include a new methodology for identification of substances for future restrictions. However, EU was not ready to take the step to include BFR (Brominated Flame Retardants) and PVC.
The new method for inclusion of substances is a step forward because from now it is stated that considerations also shall include the waste and end-of-life phase.
According to a recent statement from 150 scientists BFR and PVC produce hazardous dioxins and furans when they are incinerated at insufficiently high temperatures e.g. in sub standard recycling conditions. This was also one of the reasons for us to start the now concluded phase out of BFR and PVC from our products.
As far as I can understand this will inevitably will lead to inclusion of BFR and PVC into restrictions under RoHS the question is only when…..
Had the pleasure to participate in the presentation of the O2 report “tomorrows workspace” in the House of Commons this morning. My key take out was that by working with people and attitudes O2 managed to show that telecom and IT can improve the work environment, reduce environmental impact and improve work life balance for the people embracing flexible working.
Get inspired by the report and start to influence your own company to become a true 21st century office. Interesting enough on this web page (not linked to O2) there is a community where you can download an app to measure your own work impact, share results and good ideas.
Smartphones are not “green” and it is a very relevant topic at busniessgreen.com.
Not Green but they may well be sustainable and some are definitely more green than others. There will always be an intrinsic environmental impact from all products but human society can become sustainable and IT and Telecom needs to be key enablers for us to achieve that.
James says “But these environmental benefits will only be realised if people really do use their smartphone for everything and stop buying other gadgets…” and continue “Otherwise, smartphones have simply been awarded extra points in the new O2 rating system that they do not really deserve” This is very true but on the other hand if the functionality is not there then it cannot be used either.
At the end James claims that you may question rating system based on “… that green rating systems that edge away from the physical characteristics of a device….”. I think this is not the case in the O2 system. It takes all the things James ask for into consideration but balance it with functionality relevant for a more sustainable life style.
I truly believe that there are electronic solutions that – if we use them right – they will develop society and make it more sustainable. However, the substitution will not happen automatically. I discuss this in the previous post on this blog.
Related to the post below, I think the O2 eco-rating is the best available rating on sustainability so far.
There are three main reasons for this. The first being that the eco-rating address positive potential for a product to contribute to a more sustainable life of the consumer and this is the first structured attempt to do this. Secondly the information gathered on the product is well balanced focusing on the relevant parameters from a life cycle perspective while many other attempts are too superficial alternatively dig very deep into things that makes no difference what so ever on the total product impact. Thirdly that that it takes the wider sustainability scope looking at company performance and not only a product “carbon footprint” potentially with some added environmental aspects.
Many skeptics claim that mobile phones does not replace anything. I believe this to be wrong. Let me give you one example. When I went to some interviews yesterday on the launch of Eco-rating I passed by London Eye. Then I noticed that there are almost no disposable cameras for sale in the small shops anymore. I realized that some years ago there would be hundreds. They are now replaced by the high quality camera in the mobile phone (for people that forgot their regular camera at home). Think about all the plastic and film and chemistry saved. Not to mention all the bad photo paper wasted on pictures that I remeber throwing away after they where taken with these inferior devices. Now, almost all people that forget their camera use their mobile phone (most people remeber to bring that) and if they print something then it is only the good pictures not every single frame.
I believe that if the functionality meets the customer requirement and expectation in a way that is easy and intuitive to use then the consumer will be very happy to replace a gadget or an activity. I remember the exact same discussion some years ago when e-mail was new. “E-mail does not save any paper, people print to read anyway”. Now, with better screens and improved user experience, I do not se anyone printing e-mails just to read. Yes, sometimes to file or bring directions on a trip but never just to read.
It’s finally here!
Sony Ericsson’s Sustainability report for 2009.
Click on the image below to check it out!
