Latin America. Sonos presented its first Climate Action Plan as the foundation of its commitment to a more sustainable future. The implementation of the plan will lead Sonos' value chain to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030 and net zero emissions by 2040. Details of the plan were released as part of Sonos' 2021 Listen Better Report, which provides an annual overview of the company's environmental, social and governance (ESG) efforts.
"With our Climate Action Plan, we are entering a new phase of our commitment to environmental responsibility, stepping up efforts across the board to reduce our impact," said Patrick Spence, CEO of Sonos. "Sonos is a company founded on innovation; we are strengthened by the challenge of innovating and creating better solutions for our customers and the planet."
Complementing a clear and measurable climate plan, Sonos also introduced a new approach to the sustainability of its products, with the immediate goal of improving energy efficiency, given that more than three-quarters of Sonos' carbon emissions can be attributed to the energy consumed during the life cycle of each product.
Acting on the climate crisis
Sonos partnered with VitalMetrics to map the carbon footprint of the company's value chain, from the supply of materials and packaging, to product use and end-of-life. Based on this environmental benchmark report, Sonos developed a Climate Action Plan to guide the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in the company's most impactful areas (products, supply chain and distribution), as well as in direct operations.
"To make the changes needed to protect our environment for decades to come, all companies must first understand the full impact they have on the environment. This is challenging and expansive work, and we are pleased to see Sonos bolster this business," said Sangwon Suh, Chief Scientist at VitalMetrics. "I hope more companies will follow suit to develop ambitious science-based climate goals and take real action to achieve them."
With a primary focus on operational and product carbon reductions, backed by verified, high-quality offsets, Sonos is committed to meeting its goals through natural strategies including habitat regeneration and conservation. For next year, Sonos has partnered with Sea Trees by Sustainable Surf to help offset Sonos' direct emissions with a marine ecosystem project in the Southern Cardamom Basin in Cambodia.
"We are pleased that Sonos is helping us restore blue carbon ecosystems around the world and reverse climate change, while creating positive sustainable development benefits for local communities," said Kevin Whilden, co-founder and CEO of Sustainable Surf.
The Climate Action Plan also has Sonos collaborate with organizations that use sound to improve the environment and fund cutting-edge bioacoustic research. The company has also teamed up with Music Declares Emergency to help the music industry as a whole reduce its environmental impact.
"We are committed to a sustainable future for Sonos and for our planet, and we are starting this journey with ambitious goals," said Deji Olukotun, Sonos' Director of Policy and Corporate Social Responsibility. "The climate crisis demands an accelerated pace of innovation from all companies. This means working together with partners and leveraging our significant resources and partnerships to make the greatest possible impact."
Transform product design and performance
Sonos has long believed that a premium listening experience can support environmental awareness. In addition to its Climate Action Plan, Sonos today unveiled its Product Sustainability Program designed to reduce the carbon footprint and overall environmental impact of its products.
The company unveiled short- and long-term goals for energy efficiency, materials, product life and packaging, and this year, will conduct its first environmental life cycle assessment of the product.
Energy efficiency: The energy use of the product is the biggest contributor to Sonos' carbon footprint. The company is committed to improving the energy efficiency of its product portfolio, with a focus on idle and suspended states. Sonos introduced Sleep Mode with Roam, making it Sonos' most energy-efficient speaker, and for FY23 , all new Sonos products will include Sleep Mode. The company aims to reduce idle power consumption to less than 2 Watts for its entire portfolio, starting with all portable products in Fiscal Year 22 (FY22).
Product Lifespan: Sonos strives to keep its products in use for a long time and maintain stand with all the speakers it has released. In FY21 (FY21), the company initiated a new Design for Disassembly process, which will be incorporated into all new speakers and components, starting in FY23 (FY23). This approach incorporates features, such as the use of fasteners instead of adhesives, that make it easier to repair, restore, and recycle.
Materials: E-waste is one of the fastest growing waste streams in the world. Sonos is working toward a circular future where its products can be recycled to make other new Sonos products. By the end of Fiscal Year 23 (FY23), 100% of new Sonos products will begin using post-consumer recycled plastic instead of virgin plastics, and new products will be 100% halogen-free.
Packaging: A comprehensive approach to product circularity should include packaging. And for Sonos, premium packaging also means responsible packaging. This year, Sonos undertook a major packaging design update using Sonos Custom Kraft paper, certified by the FSC (Forest Stewardship Council). This paper was first used for the Roam speaker and will continue to be used for new product launches between FY22 (FY22) and FY25 (FY25). By FY25 (FY25), Sonos packaging will be made from 100% responsibly sourced paper, including paper that is PCR (post-consumer recycling), FSC certified, or made from plant fibers, as Sonos' goal is to remove plastics from packaging altogether. The company continues to reduce the use of plastics from its packaging, using PCR plastics when needed.
Transforming the supply chain and distribution
As part of its commitment to sustainability, Sonos also announced that it is joining the Responsible Business Alliance (RBA), the world's largest industrial coalition dedicated to corporate social responsibility in global supply chains, and will commit to progressively aligning its own operations with social and environmental aspects. and the ethical industry standards outlined in the RBA Code of Conduct.
