Technology companies sign environmental declaration

As part of the WWF's Climate Summit on 15th February in Tokyo, 12 international firms – including Hewlett-Packard, Nokia, Sony, and Tetra Pak – have signed a joint declaration of environmental protection called the "Tokyo Declaration". The companies have agreed that drastic environmental measures are needed in order to prevent a climate catastrophe. Over the next 10 to 15 years, the companies say that there has to be an end to rising carbon emissions and that emissions have to reach a very low level by 2050 – possibly half of the level of 2000. Only then will it be possible, the companies say, to ke ep global warming below an increase of 2°C over the average temperature before industrialization.

The firms have agreed to take four steps towards the attainment of these goals. First, they will be obligating their partners to reduce their own emissions. Second, they wish to promote carbon awareness among their consumers and customers. Third, they will be improving the transparency of their own carbon profile and openly reporting on their activities to reduce the greenhouse effect. Finally, the firms will be acting as spokespeople on climate protection issues so that the WWF's climate protection program can be expanded to other areas and regions.

(jbe)