Since the first edition of the Greener Electronics Guide in
August 2006, there have been gradual improvements on toxic and
e-waste issues, but only a minority of companies are really leading
on energy and climate change. Motorola, Microsoft, Dell, Apple,
Lenovo, Samsung, Nintendo and LG Electronics are notably lagging
behind, with no plans to cut absolute emissions from their own
operations and no support for the targets and timelines needed to
avoid catastrophic climate change.(1) These huge companies could make a
big difference by doing their part to avoid a climate crisis and
asking their governments to do the same.
"Sadly it appears that the consumer electronics industry is much
better at rhetoric than facing the reality that absolute emission
cuts are urgently needed," said Greenpeace International Climate
& Energy campaigner Mel Francis. "It is disappointing that such
innovative and fast-changing companies are moving so slowly, when
they could be turning the regulation we need on global emissions
into a golden business opportunity."
To be green, electronics companies need to equally address
energy, toxics elimination, and recycling. In the last three
editions of the Guide, the climate and energy criteria(2) have examine companies on their
direct emissions, their product performance, use of renewable
energy and their political support for emission cuts. The required
shift to a low-carbon economy will require much smarter work
practices.
With less travel and higher energy prices, companies providing
smart and efficient technology solutions could leap forwards in
tomorrow's business environment. Instead, only three - Fujitsu
Siemens Computers (FSC), Philips and Sharp - support the level of
cuts in greenhouse gases that science requires. Only Philips and
Hewlett Packard (HP) get top marks for committing to making
absolute reductions in their own greenhouse gas emissions from the
product manufacture and supply chain.
Many companies gain points from their products' efficiency
improvements - half of the 18 ranked brands now score over 5/10 in
the guide. However, only three commit to making cuts in greenhouse
gas emissions from their own operations. Most companies use little
renewable energy, even though some manufacture solar panels. Nokia,
which remains in pole position, sources 25% of its total
electricity use from renewable energy and is committed to sourcing
50% by 2010. Other brands with points for renewable energy use are
FSC, Microsoft, Toshiba, Motorola and Philips.
Some who display best practice on energy issues are still
shirking their responsibilities on toxics. Philips, for example,
has lobbied the European Commission against Individual Producer
Responsibility. HP does not have any products free of specific
hazardous substances on the market and no commitment to eliminate
further problematic chemicals. Those who score well on toxic
chemical criteria already have products on the market free of the
worst substances, including Nokia, Sony Ericsson, Toshiba, FSC and
Sharp.
Overall, the biggest moves up the ranking are Motorola, (from
15th to joint 7th), Toshiba (from 7th to 3rd) and Sharp, (up from
16th to 10th). The companies falling down the ranking are the PC
brands Acer, Dell, HP and Apple. Although Apple drops a place, it
has improved its total score this time because of better reporting
on the carbon footprint of its products, and although not scoring
any extra points, its new iPods are now free of both PVC and
brominated flame retardants (BFRs).
"Greenpeace is calling for all companies to eliminate e-waste
and get serious on energy issues," said Iza Kruszewska, Greenpeace
International Toxics Campaigner. "It's not good enough to just
simply comply with regulation - to be truly green, the sector must
step up to the challenge and show leadership."
Read the full news story online here.
The
Greener Electronics Guide Version 10
Other contacts: Iza Kruszewska, Greenpeace International Toxics Campaigner:
+44 7801 212 992
Mel Francis, Greenpeace International Climate Campaigner:
+31 653 819121
Notes: (1) Science shows that global emissions must peak in 2015, and that means developed countries must cut emissions 30% by 2020. In just two weeks, world leaders meet in Poland to continue discussions on how to strengthen the global climate treaty, the Kyoto Protocol.
(2) Energy and climate criteria for the guide are: support for global mandatory reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions disclosure of the company's own GHG emissions plus emissions from two stages of the supply chain; Commitment to reduce the company's own GHG emissions with timelines; Amount of renewable energy used; Energy efficiency of new models (companies score double on this criterion).