Companies are scored on their public support for strong
emissions reductions as well as their economy-wide climate
solutions and efforts to reduce their own emissions. IBM, HP and
Fujitsu occupy the top three places in this round of assessments(1)
but no company scores above 50/100. Google, a new addition, comes
in at fourth position, scoring 32/100.
The Smart 2020 report (2), commissioned by the IT industry
itself, clearly outlines how IT solutions have the potential to cut
global greenhouse gas emissions by a remarkable 15% by 2020.
"Though the IT industry will profit from strong emissions
reduction targets, it is not coming close to its potential of
leading the way to a low carbon economy," said Suzette Jackson,
Greenpeace New Zealand communications manager.
"IT giants like Microsoft, Google and IBM need to rapidly put
their weight behind a strong deal at Copenhagen or the climate will
lose out negative lobbying by dirty industries."
IBM maintains top spot on the leaderboard due to an extensive
range of climate solutions and action to reduce its own emissions
but is only one point ahead of a much improved HP. HP and Toshiba
show strong progress by providing more comprehensive information on
how their climate solutions can reduce global emissions. Dell,
Nokia and Sony failed to show significant improvement in their
scores since May 2009.
Sharp stands out as the only Japanese company to indicate
support for a strong reduction target of the new Japanese
Government. Panasonic is new to the leaderboard and can increase
its score on several criteria for the next assessment.
"Google has clearly set out a plan for reducing emissions by
2030 but is has not yet spoken up on the need for a strong global
deal at Copenhagen. The CEO of Ericsson has been making prominent
speeches on the urgency of the problem and the importance of
Copenhagen (3) but the leaders of Nokia, Dell, Microsoft and Sony,
among others stay silent on the most urgent issue facing the
planet." said Jackson.
"Apple's recent bold move to leave the US Chamber of Commerce
over the Chamber's blocking of US government efforts to address
climate change (4) contrasts strongly with Google, Microsoft and
IBM's relative inaction at this crucial juncture for the
climate."
The next Cool IT leaderboard, with several new companies added
in, will be released early 2010.
Other contacts: Suzette Jackson, Greenpeace New Zealand Communications Manager, 021 614 899
Prajna Khanna, Greenpeace International, Communications Project Manager Toxics, based in the Netherlands
Tel: + 31 (0) 20 718 2621, Mobile: + 31 (0) 6212 96896, email: pkhanna@greenpeace.org
Notes: (1)www.greenpeace.org/coolit
(2)www.smart2020.org
(3)Ericsson CEO has spoken out at several events recently including at the UN: http://media-newswire.com/release_1099903.html
(4)http://www.greenpeace.org/international/news/apple-leaves-us-chamber-071009
Exp. contact date: 2009-11-28 00:00:00