Panasonic Demonstrates Commitment To Tackle Climate Change At COP15

– December 17, 2009Posted in: Science


Time-lapse video of Ice Bear melting during COP15

Core Facts

Ice Bear, Copenhagen

Ice Bear, Copenhagen

Panasonic Europe has demonstrated its environmental leadership at COP15, the United Nations Climate Change Summit, by highlighting the accelerating rate of global climate change, and showing practical steps that can be implemented to mitigate ever-increasing carbon emissions

  • With SEAS-NVE, Denmark’s largest consumer-owned energy company, Panasonic Europe demonstrated an eco-home of the future; showing new opportunities to reduce day-to-day energy usage
  • Panasonic sponsored the Ice Bear Project; an ice sculpture which has melted away to a bronze skeleton during the conference, symbolising the fragility and beauty of the Arctic, and the effect mankind is having on the earth’s delicate environment
  • Support of the Catlin Arctic Survey, enabled scientific experiments to be undertaken earlier this year and the findings, presented at COP15, showed that with the current rate of climate change, the Arctic Ocean will be largely ice-free during Summer months within a decade

    • As COP15 comes to a close, Panasonic Europe has successfully been involved in activities which draws attention to the catastrophic effects of global climate change and how technology can help manage society’s energy usage.

    Panasonics Lifinity home energy management system

    Panasonics Lifinity home energy management system

    Central to this was an eco-house demonstration with SEAS-NVE, Denmark’s largest consumer-owned energy company. It gave a glimpse of the future home, where the energy consumption of appliances, lighting and heating can be centrally managed. It also marks a deal that will see 350,000 homes across Denmark pilot the technology, using Panasonic’s Lifinity home energy management system and SEAS-NVE’s Smart Grid.

    Additionally Panasonic Europe sponsored the Ice Bear Project, a not-for-profit arts organisation which created a life-sized ice sculpture of a polar bear outside the WWF Arctic Tent on Nytorv Square in the centre of Copenhagen. The bear represented the Earth’s delicate environment and remained on a plinth during the conference. Lots of people came up to touch the bear, transferring their body heat and causing it to melt, symbolising the effect humans have on the environment. Over time the sculpture gradually melted, illustrating the beauty and fragility of the Arctic to not only visitors at COP15, but throughout the world, via a live, 24-hour video stream.

    Catlin Arctic Survey Sponsorship

    Catlin Arctic Survey Sponsorship

    During 2009 Panasonic Europe also supported the Catlin Arctic Survey, a pioneering scientific project to measure the thickness and density of the permanent North Pole ice and snow which is floating in the Arctic Ocean. The aim of the project was to determine, with a much greater degree of accuracy than ever before, when the ice cap could disappear. The findings, which were delivered at a seminar at COP15, underlined that the Ocean will be largely ice-free during summer months within a decade, resulting in a dramatic sea level increase. Panasonic and the Catlin Arctic Survey hope this evidence provides fresh impetus to find international agreements for the more sustainable and responsible management of our natural resources.

    Panasonic’s presence at COP15 supports its ongoing commitment to environmental responsibility. The company has been promoting environmental sustainability management and accelerating its efforts against global warming on a group-wide basis throughout many decades. Since 2007 its ‘eco ideas’ initiative has outlined environmentally responsible ideas for manufacturing, for products and its role within the society. COP15 provided Panasonic with a platform to demonstrate its environmental leadership and showcase how it is defining global ‘eco-business’.

    Quotes

  • Mr Abadie, CEO Panasonic Europe: “As one of the largest and most successful electronics businesses in the world, Panasonic’s early business principles have been based upon living in harmony with the global environment. COP15 has provided Panasonic with a platform to demonstrate our leadership in helping the public manage energy usage as well as showcasing how the technology can make a difference in achieving the goals of COP15.”
  • Mark Coreth, Ice Bear Project Sculptor: “I had an idea to create a life-size sculptural impression of a polar bear skeleton and freeze it into a block of ice. We have found that this idea is captivating to people everywhere. But the Ice Bear Project would still just be a great idea if it weren’t for Panasonic’s vision, support and sponsorship that have allowed us to bring the Ice Bear, and the project, to life. We thank Panasonic for their pivotal role in helping us bring the Ice Bear to the climate change conference and this important message to the world.”
  • Pen Hadow, Director of the Catlin Arctic Survey: “Without the generous support of Panasonic, being able to take these readings would have been nigh on impossible. It is credit to their environmental vision and obvious understanding of the need for this increased knowledge that they have so wholeheartedly supported the Catlin Arctic Survey. To that end, we are immensely grateful. Our involvement with the wonderful Copenhagen Ice Bear project, also funded by Panasonic, marked the survey’s final engagement with COP15.”

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