World Action is a corporate social responsibility (CSR) program of Panasonic Group that encourages all of the Group’s approximately 230,000 employees worldwide to take simple steps in their daily lives to support the environmental activities—such as biodiversity conservation—that have been positioned as continuing challenges under GREEN IMPACT PLAN 2024 (GIP2024). This year’s initiative, World Action 2024, is taking place from June 5 (World Environment Day) through August 30.
Under the banner of its long-term environmental vision, Panasonic GREEN IMPACT (PGI), the Panasonic Group hopes to contribute to both the well-being of people and society and a sustainable global environment. In addition to efforts to reduce CO2 emissions from its own operations and those of its partners, suppliers, and customers, the Group is also actively encouraging employees to integrate eco-friendly behavior into their lives, firm in the belief that the accumulation of individual efforts (“ACTs”) can have a powerful and meaningful impact on the battle against climate change.
“Our approximately 230,000 employees around the world care about global environmental issues, and by taking part in environmental activities, no matter how small, we aim to leverage economies of scale and foster a sense of unity by working toward the same goal, improving both employee engagement and corporate value,” explained Shuji Shigyo, Chief, Corporate Citizenship Department, Social Action Section, Panasonic Operational Excellence Co., Ltd.
One facet of the Group’s CSR activities is the Panasonic ECO-RELAY program, a long-standing annual campaign with a history of more than 30 years. Under this program, employees worldwide are driving the planning and implementation of community-based environmental activities such as tree planting, cleanups, and education programs.
“In addition to environmental activities like Panasonic ECO-RELAY, this year’s World Action 2024 focuses on helping employees learn more about the Eco-Actions they can integrate into their daily lives—at home, while commuting, at work, and elsewhere,” said Shigyo. “With individual actions being taken on a global scale by colleagues worldwide, a special online site has been set up to track Eco-Actions, Eco-Runners (participants), and the Daily Action List (Eco-Actions in each region) and foster a sense of unity among participants, inspiring them to learn new habits and encourage others to get on board.”
As of July 12, employee Eco-Runners in seven regions—Japan, China/Northeast Asia, Southeast Asia/Oceania, India/South Asia/Near & Middle East/Africa, South America, North & Central America, and Europe—have logged more than 16,000 Eco-Actions, and the number keeps growing.
Eco-Runners from every region of Panasonic’s global organization are taking the lead in promoting World Action 2024, hoping to raise awareness and inspire others to join the campaign.
“I use my own bottle and take part in activities that conserve the natural environment,” explained Tomoharu Isomura of Panasonic ITS Co., Ltd. and the Panasonic ITS Friendship Union. “I think that for many people, a small catalyst triggered their interest in environmental activities, and I was no exception. Through World Action, I hope that everyone around the world can learn about various activities, put their interests into practice, and share their own efforts, thereby becoming a catalyst for environmental action worldwide.”
“I’m using reusable bags, not wasting food and composting my food waste, turning off lights and conserving electricity and water, walking and carpooling, and learning more about wildlife and local parks,” explained JN from Panasonic North America. “Let’s give back together!”
“As part of World Action 2024, I am participating in environmental activities, visiting the local zoo, riding my bicycle, donating food, and feeding local animals,” said Aye from Panasonic Solutions (Thailand) Co., Ltd. (PSTH). “Nature is asking us to take better care of it, and this program is an excellent starting point for making a difference. I’ve been challenging myself to do a variety of eco-friendly activities throughout this campaign—and intend to keep doing them when it’s over. It’s been an exciting experience!”
“My Eco-Actions are protecting our trees, not littering, and not wasting resources like energy, food, and water,” said Pooja Garg Khan of Panasonic Life Solutions India Pvt Ltd. “As an Eco-Runner, I look forward to doing my bit for the environment by investing in projects like tree planting, awareness generation around environment initiatives, water conservation, and many other programs outlined in the Panasonic GREEN IMPACT guidelines.”
“Reducing the environmental impact of a family of five and teaching my children about it is really important to me,” said Alexis Fernandez from Panasonic Consumer Europe. “For several years now, my family and I have been reducing our use of plastic as much as possible. We’re also growing our own vegetables, making yogurt, canning food, and producing organic soaps and detergents. I’m also making an effort to cycle to work. These activities have now become part of our daily routine—there’s no going back to the old ways.”
Repetition is the key to forming positive habits, and as each employee integrates Eco-Actions into their daily lives, they create opportunities to influence colleagues, family members, and even their neighbors toward environment-positive behavior.
“The goal of this project is for our colleagues around the world to think about global environmental issues not only while they’re at work, but also in their personal lives outside the office. As Eco-Actions taken by employees spread to their families and neighbors, the accumulation of small changes will grow into a positive force that can move society ever closer to realizing a sustainable world,” said Shigyo.
“In addition to inspiring meaningful change among employees, World Action 2024 will contribute, even a little, to solving global environmental problems through a commitment to plant a tree for every 100 Eco-Actions, up to a maximum of 1,000 trees—and I hope that together we can achieve this goal,” said Shigyo.
Every Group employee is qualified to become an Eco-Runner. If you’re not sure where to begin, or if you’re busy and don’t have a lot of time, check the Daily Action List on the World Action 2024 website for a list of simple Eco-Actions that you can take.
The list is organized by category and describes simple actions that people can take to make a difference, such as using reusable ecobags when shopping, buying and using locally made products, conserving electricity, reducing food waste, avoiding disposable tableware, choosing products that can be recycled or that are made from recycled materials, and walking, riding a bicycle, or using public transportation.
“The actions of an individual may be small in scale, but the unified action of tens of thousands of people can accumulate into something remarkable,” said Shigyo. “Our motto is One Eco-Action & One Click!—let’s change the planet together at Panasonic. We look forward to your participation.”
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