Epson reduces global carbon emissions by 12%

Epson, a leader in imaging technology, issued its 2009 sustainability report detailing significant cuts in the company’s global warming and chemical emissions and announcing a substantial boost in environmental investment ahead of this year’s much anticipated United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen.

The report, which details the progress of Epson’s environmental commitment to reduce its carbon emissions by 90% by 2050, indicates that global warming emissions were down 12% to 807 tons of CO2 for fiscal year 2008. Chemical emissions were also significantly reduced, with emissions from substances subject to the Pollutant & Transfer Register down by 45% and emissions from Volatile Organic Compounds by 22% compared with fiscal 2005. Furthermore the amount of finished products collected and recycled increased to 12.540 tons, an increase of 340 tons from the previous year.

The report also highlights Epson’s substantial financial commitment to environmental investment. For fiscal 2008, total environmental conservation spending was calculated at €43 million, with 49% being invested in research and development for environmental preservation.