New Environmental Conservation Initiatives Integrated with Business Activities
Panasonic Holdings (PHD) and Panasonic Operational Excellence (PEX) Corporate Citizenship Division are advancing environmental initiatives that are integrated with core business activities. In November, we launched new initiatives, including the Satoyama Revitalization Project in collaboration with the Heating & Ventilation A/C Company, leveraging in-house technologies to conserve blue carbon ecosystems, and producing "kinari," a circular-resource tableware material, as part of bamboo overgrowth countermeasures.
"Acorn Forest Creation Experience" with the Heating & Ventilation A/C Company
On November 8, the Heating & Ventilation A/C Company (HVAC) and the PEX Corporate Citizenship Department hosted the "Acorn Forest Creation Experience" at Unitopia Sasayama in Hyogo Prefecture.
The event welcomed 20 participants from six families, all users of our "Eolia" room air conditioners. Through hands-on activities such as collecting and planting acorns in the forest, participants learned about the importance of forest creation and environmental conservation while contributing to satoyama revitalization.
Planting acorns in bamboo pots
This initiative is part of the "Air Conditioner Environmental Contribution Program Using the J-Credit Scheme." By using the latest energy-efficient "Eolia" room air conditioners, customers help reduce CO₂ emissions, which HVAC aggregates and certifies as J-Credits from the government. These credits are then applied to environmental contribution activities and the development of energy-saving equipment, informed by customer feedback.
Participants shared comments such as, "It was my first time planting a tree by hand; I look forward to seeing it grow," "My child's curiosity blossomed," and "Working together as a family strengthened our bonds," reflecting strong participant satisfaction.
We remain committed to creating an environmentally conscious future, while continuing to listen to our customers' voices.
Trial Use of Novitek for Eelgrass Restoration
The Panasonic Group is also promoting blue carbon ecosystem conservation under the "Act for BLUE CARBON" initiative, aiming to reduce CO₂ emissions and preserve biodiversity. As part of these efforts, on November 15, employee volunteers joined an eelgrass restoration activity organized by the Tokyo Bay UMI Project at Marine Park in Yokohama. In addition to sowing seeds, some employees took home eelgrass cultivation kits to grow eelgrass until around April next year.
Diver planting seed in the sea
Creating an eelgrass cultivation kit (left) and the completed kit (right)
During this home cultivation, the CO₂-derived plant growth stimulant "Novitek," developed by the PHD Technology Division, will be used to measure its effect on growth promotion. The seedlings grown at home will be planted next spring, and data collected from each household will help evaluate Novitek's contribution to eelgrass restoration and explore new possibilities for future environmental initiatives.
Production of "kinari," a Resource-Circulating Tableware as Part of Bamboo Overgrowth Countermeasures
On November 22, the PHD Technology Division, in collaboration with Panasonic ECO RELAY Japan, conducted bamboo harvesting in Tamba Sasayama City, an area affected by bamboo overgrowth.
The harvested bamboo was used as a raw material for kinari, a high-concentration cellulose fiber molded material. Moving forward, kinari will be introduced as tableware in the PHD company cafeteria.
