A key pillar of these commitments is the introduction of Sony Ericsson’s new GreenHeart™ pioneer products which launched with two flagship phones – the C901 GreenHeart™ and Naite- and the MH300 headset, one of the greenest on the market.  Green innovations showcased in the new GreenHeart™ pioneer phones will migrate into the wider portfolio enabling the company to continually reduce the environmental impact of its entire portfolio, to become a benchmark for the industry.

Both the C901 GreenHeart™ and Naite build on Sony Ericsson’s industry leading ‘green core’, the result of a long standing commitment to eliminate the use of hazardous chemicals from its phones. Additional ‘green’ features include an e-manual that reduces paper usage by over 90%, smaller packaging that decreases transport related CO_² emissions by over 80%, recycled plastics and a low-power charger. Thanks to these innovations, the overall CO_² footprint of the GreenHeart™ products is reduced by 15%.

“Since the start of the joint venture in 2001, Sony Ericsson has strived to exceed industry standards in the removal of harmful substances and energy efficient chargers. We have implemented a full life cycle approach to sustainability in order to build phones with a green core as well as reducing CO_² emissions from the product in use and ensuring sustainable end-of-life treatment.” said Dick Komiyama, President, Sony Ericsson. ”Today’s announcement on emission reduction targets and the new GreenHeart™ pioneer products is the next step in building a more sustainable business and a key pillar in our invigorated product portfolio strategy.”

For more information on Sony Ericsson’s sustainability commitments and for further detail on the GreenHeart™ programme, please join us for a global web cast and Q&A at 13:00 (UK time) on Thursday 4th June. www.sonyericsson.com/greenheart

The company is also committing to a significant increase in the volume of phones collected as part of its global TakeBack initiative. Sony Ericsson aims to collect one million phones yearly from its own system from 2011 onwards making it easy for consumers to recycle by providing more locations and information about the process.

Anne-Sofie Andersson, Director, International Chemical Secretariat (ChemSec) said, “Sony Ericsson proactively engages with our organisation on a number of chemicals related sustainability issues. In the ChemSec Business Group Sony Ericsson is a constructive and ambitious counterpart, actively contributing to the debate on initiatives such as the revision of RoHS, aimed at reducing the use of toxic chemicals and heavy metals in consumer goods.”

“Information and communications technologies can have a major role to play in delivering a low carbon world,” states Peter Madden, Chief Executive, Forum for the Future. “ We’re really pleased to be working with one of the leading manufacturers – Sony Ericsson – as they commit to making the carbon reductions necessary to avoid climate change and ensure their business can prosper in the low carbon economy of the future.”

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