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Whether it’s Spider-Man, Ghostbusters, or James Bond, Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) has continually found ways to strike gold on the big screen. But looking ahead, SPE wants its gold to be equally matched by green.
“Sony Pictures A Greener World” is the company’s environmental initiative that will help SPE reduce its ecological footprint through partnerships with organizations that combat climate change and help preserve natural resources for the health and safety of those around the world.
This initiative is, in fact, just part of its umbrella organization’s more extensive “Road to Zero,” which aims to achieve a “zero environmental footprint” for the life cycle of all of Sony’s products and businesses by 2050. A Greener World focuses on SPE’s film and television productions, supply chain, distribution, and procurement.
For example, Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI) created sustainability guidelines and adopted green practices that have been introduced to three of its pilot shows. Those practices include a complete ban on single-use plastic, mandatory waste segregation and recycling, and sustainable materials used for set design and printing.
Additionally, a dedicated “eco-trooper” was placed on set for auditing carbon output related to electricity, fuel consumption, hotels, and housing.
Jennifer Groe has been working on the front lines of sustainability at SPE. The director of project management has been in building, facilities, and construction for the company since 1997. Groe currently oversees all projects in SPE’s Culver City, California, portfolio, which includes its studio, offices, and leased and owned properties.
Along with sustainability, wellness has also been a significant area of focus for the director. Groe recently enrolled in wellness certification, and several more on her team have either already received or are in the process of earning the certification.
Groe currently oversees a team of project managers, along with a multitude of project management companies who report directly to her. Given the volume of projects on her plate, Groe has had to create strong working relationships with those partners to create trust and consistently hit deadlines. The director says that trust is crucial because anything short of that bond will inevitably become a roadblock at some point.
Along with its broad sustainability roles, Groe is also passionate about the community work she’s able to engage in on behalf of SPE. She and her team have volunteered for the Special Olympics, engaged in painting murals at high schools, and worked with Big Brothers Big Sisters.
From April 2020 to April 2021, A Greener World also offered suggestions and activities for its employees in line with the United Nations Foundation. Each month, employees were provided with advice and materials on how to act in favor of the environment. The theme for May 2020 was “Conserving Energy,” while the focus of December was “Bundle Your Orders” (with the holidays in mind).
SPE also created Picture This, a celebration of creative videos that “inspire a positive future for the planet in support of the Sustainable Development Goals.” Picture This was created in partnership with the World Photography Organization and the United Nations Foundation. HaoMing Du won the organization’s grand prize in 2022 for The Longer We Wait, The More It Takes, a stop-motion production that focuses on the effects of ocean pollution.
In September 2022, Sony held its fifth-annual Sustainability Briefing and announced that it would be accelerating its target for net-zero greenhouse gas emissions from 2040 to 2050.
“In line with Sony’s Purpose, to ‘fill the world with emotion, through the power of creativity and technology,’ we are developing a diverse range of businesses centered on people,” said Shiro Kambe, senior executive vice president and corporate executive officer of Sony Group Corporation, in a statement. “Based on the recognition that a healthy global environment and social sustainability are essential for people to connect through emotion, we continue to implement various initiatives from a long-term perspective.”
Since 1962, Holwick Constructors has delivered high-quality general contracting services to businesses throughout the greater Los Angeles area. Several of our key personnel have worked on the Sony account with Jennifer Groe since 2010. Ranging from standard tenant improvement projects to complex companywide mission critical endeavors, Jennifer and Holwick have partnered together to ensure reliable, cost-efficient results are delivered to the client. We congratulate Jennifer, thank her for her partnership, and wish her continued success.
