Sony Bank has become Japan's first carbon-neutral bank, thanks to its purchase of renewable-energy credits. Issued by the Japan Natural Energy Company, the Green Power Certificate equals 1.1 million kilowatt hours—enough to cover the bank's entire annual electricity consumption—and saves the equivalent of 400 tons of greenhouse-gas emissions.

In addition, for clients who own funds that exceed a certain amount, Sony Bank will use part of their service charges to purchase emissions credits, which it will then donate to the Japanese government. Sony isn't alone in its carbon neutrality, however. In April, Canada's Vancouver City Savings Credit Union announced that it succeeded in its goal to become the first North American financial institution with a zero-carbon footprint, two years ahead of schedule. ::Japan for Sustainability

[Via ::LOHAS]