News Article Business Solutions

Langenhagen, Germany, 28th September 2009

Konica Minolta has been selected as a main partner of the UN’s 2009 Climate Conference COP15 (the 15th Conference of the Parties). The company effectively runs several programmes to minimise its impact on the global environment, such as its Zero Waste initiative. Furthermore, Konica Minolta complies with the ideals of the UN climate convention. These were the decisive factors in the selection of a suitable partner for the conference, which will be hosted by Denmark from 7 to 18 December 2009 in Copenhagen.

 

Partnership includes the provision of more than 30 Konica Minolta bizhub colour multifunctional printers (MFPs) and monochrome production printing systems amounting to a total value of two million euros. Equipped with state-of-the-art technology, these products will meet the printing, copying, scanning and faxing needs of all participants from the UN and all delegates prior to and during COP15.

"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.

While Konica Minolta’s comprehensive environmental management is ISO certified, 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, even has a TEC (typical weekly energy consumption) of about 60% 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 goal is for COP15 to result in a solid global agreement that establishes ambitious goals for a reduction in emissions of greenhouse gases, especially CO2. Up to 15,000 official participants are expected to take part in the conference, including government representatives, journalists and members of international organisations and NGOs.

 

Product images are available at www.konicaminolta-images.eu

 

Terms and product names may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders and are hereby acknowledged.

 

Contact:

 

Olaf Lorenz

Konica Minolta Business Solutions Europe GmbH

Phone: +49 (0)511 7404-378

Olaf.Lorenz(at)konicaminolta.eu

 

Heiko Willrett

Pleon GmbH

Phone: +49 (0)711 21099-425

KonicaMinoltaTeam(at)pleon.com