Konica Minolta supports the UN’s Climate Change Conference 2009

Published 12th October 2009

Milton Keynes UK, 30 September 2009
Konica Minolta has been selected as a main partner for the UN’s 2009 Climate Conference COP15 (the 15th Conference of the Parties) and will provide more than 30 bizhub colour multifunctional printers (MFPs) and monochrome production printing systems, with a total value of €2 million. Equipped with state-of-the-art technology, the bizhub document imaging systems will meet the printing, copying, scanning and faxing needs of all participants from the UN and delegates prior to and during COP15.

Konica Minolta has several programmes to minimise its impact on the global environment, such as its Zero Waste initiative and complies with the ideals of the UN climate convention. These factors were decisive in the selection of Konica Minolta as a suitable partner for the conference, hosted by Denmark from 7 to 18 December 2009 in Copenhagen.

“It is a great honour for us to support COP15 as the main sponsor of copying and printing machines,” says Olaf Lorenz, General Manager, International Marketing Division, Konica Minolta Business Solutions Europe. “We have already made major progress in developing eco-friendly devices with low energy consumption. However, we will definitely not rest on our laurels, but will continue to be ahead of the print market’s environmentally sound developments. Being part of UN’s Climate Change Conference takes forward our efforts to constantly minimise our ecological footprint.”

Svend Olling, Head of Department at the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, adds: “COP15 could be the largest international political conference ever held on Danish soil. As the host, Denmark’s responsibility is to provide the best possible negotiating conditions for the delegates at COP15. The sponsorship agreement with Konica Minolta is an important element in providing an efficient infrastructure at the conference venue. Furthermore, we are satisfied that the solution offered by Konica Minolta aims to reduce the environmental impact as much as possible.”

Konica Minolta’s comprehensive environmental management is ISO certified and its MFPs qualify for the Energy Star rating. These systems consume about half the power used by standard devices. One of the latest models, for example, has a TEC (typical weekly energy consumption) of about 60 percent below the latest Energy Star requirements. This makes it the most eco-friendly MFP in its class. Last year, two of the company’s devices earned the Energy Conservation Grand Prize for Excellent Energy Conservation Equipment of the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry for being highly efficient and environmentally sound.

Recently the company also signed the UN’s Global Compact agreement. This initiative aims to solve various increasingly serious issues such as global warming, environmental concerns and social disparities by encouraging each participating company to fulfil sustainable growth and development.

The Conference of the Parties takes all major decisions in worldwide climate negotiations. Its objective is for COP15 to result in a solid global agreement that establishes ambitious goals for a reduction in emissions of greenhouse gases, especially carbon dioxide. Up to 15,000 official participants are expected to take part in the conference, including government representatives, journalists and members of international organisations and non-governmental organisations.

Ends.