OSAKA, Japan--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Panasonic Corporation announces the successful completion of its "100 Thousand Solar Lanterns Project", which has passed 131 non-constructive projects over the past five years. For-profit organizations and other organizations bring light to the non-powered communities in 30 countries. Since the launch of the project in February 2013, Matsushita has donated 102,716 solar lamps, including 5,004 lamps donated to Indonesia today. The project has thus come to an end.
The project is part of the Panasonic Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program, which aims to use Panasonic technologies and products to interpret the company’s business philosophy since its inception in 1918, which is to contribute to social progress and development through business. Activities benefit the people.
At present, about 1.1 billion people in emerging and developing countries live without electricity. The original intention of Panasonic to carry out this project is to help solve the social problems caused by lack of electricity in medical, education and economic fields. Matsushita’s goal is to donate 100,000 solar lamps by 2018 (the company’s 100th anniversary) and continue to work hard for it.
The solar lights donated by Panasonic and non-profit and non-governmental international organizations to the global community have not only helped alleviate many problems, but also improved education, health and medical care, and women’s independence. The Solar Light Project also contributes to the United Nations-established Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which aim to mobilize global forces to jointly eradicate poverty, protect the earth and promote prosperity.
With the completion of the "100,000 Light Solar Lamp Project," Matsushita will continue to work to provide lighting for people in more non-energized areas within the new framework. In Japan, Panasonic employees also actively participated in this project through the company’s employee benefit plan. In addition, in order to expand the activities to the outside of the company, Matsushita will start using crowdfunding in April this year, so that those who agree with the spirit of this activity will participate in this activity with a small amount of capital commitment.
Ms. Rika Fukuda, General Manager of Panasonic's Corporate Social Responsibility and Citizen Responsibility Division, which is responsible for the project, said: “We are very pleased to be able to achieve the goal of 100,000 solar lamps. As a global corporate citizen, we will continue to work to help people in non-powered areas solve their lives. The problem is to create an inclusive society where everyone enjoys life and enjoys happiness.” She added that the company will continue to contribute to the sustainable development goals by leveraging its business activities.
Activities Overview Projects that support the UN Sustainable Development Goals Major Achievements 1. "Affordable Clean Energy" - Use of kerosene lamps decreased by 37.7% (Myanmar) 2. "Ankang" - 2,434 infants in well-lit rooms with solar lights Born (Myanmar) 3. “Quality Education” - 100% pass through school test, all students go to school (Myanmar) 4. “Gender Equality” - Women increase by about 40% due to increased employment opportunities (eg night shift) (India) 5. "Eliminating Poverty" - Cost of fuel oil for kerosene lamp drops by 50% per month (Cambodia)
Sustainable Development Goals The Sustainable Development Goals are a series of 2016-2030 targets adopted by member countries at the UN special summit held in September 2015. The Sustainable Development Goals include 17 specific goals and 169 goals to achieve sustainable development, and the United Nations aspires to achieve all its goals. The goal of sustainable development is universal, and it requires the joint efforts, development and progress of all countries.