Media release - November 24, 2008
The latest Greenpeace Guide to Greener Electronics reveals that in spite of green marketing, most consumer electronics companies are not adequately responding to the global warming crisis. Since the first publication of the quarterly guide in August 2006, companies have gradually improved their performance on toxic chemicals and e-waste issues; however, only a minority are leading on energy and climate change.
"To be a green leader, electronics companies need to equally
address energy, toxics elimination, and recycling and waste
issues," said Greenpeace International campaigner Casey Harrell.
"It is disappointing that such innovative companies are moving so
slowly on climate and energy issues, when they could be turning the
need for cuts in global warming pollution into a golden business
opportunity."
The last three editions of the Guide have evaluated companies on
their use of clean energy and the energy efficiency of their
products. Companies are now also scored on their commitment to
achieve reductions in their own global warming pollution and for
their political support for the pollution cuts scientists say are
necessary to avoid the most catastrophic impacts of global
warming.
Overall, the biggest moves in the ranking came from Motorola
(15th to tie for 7th), Toshiba (7th to 3rd) and Sharp (16th to
10th). Their rise can be attributed to improvements in their energy
scores - though there is a great deal more progress these companies
can make. Many companies gained points from their products'
efficiency improvements - half of the 18 ranked brands now score
over 5 out of 10 in the guide. However, only three committed to
making cuts in global warming pollution from their own operations
and supply chains, with Philips and Hewlett Packard leading the
way. Similar low scores abound on the deployment of clean energy,
with only overall ranking leader Nokia achieving high marks for 25
percent clean energy.
With global forecasts of higher energy prices, companies
providing innovative and efficient technology solutions could leap
forwards in tomorrow's business environment. Instead, only three -
Fujitsu Siemens Computers, Philips and Sharp - support the level of
cuts in global warming pollution that scientists have identified as
necessary (reductions in developed countries of at least 35 percent
by 2020 from a 1990 baseline). American companies Motorola,
Microsoft, Dell and Apple are among the companies with no stated
plans to cut the overall level of global warming pollution from
their own operations and no support for the targets and timelines
needed to avoid catastrophic climate change.
"We need more than green talk from companies before we can call
them leaders," said Harrell. "We need to see action - rapid
deployment of clean energy, innovative efficiency solutions and
bold advocacy for fast action on global warming."
VVPR info: The Greener Electronics Guide Version 10 is available at:
For more information contact: http://www.greenpeace.org/usa/greener-electronics-guide-nov2008
Jane Kochersperger, + 1 202 680 3798 cell; Daniel Kessler, + 1 415 255 9221 ext. 313; Casey Harrell, Greenpeace International Campaigner, + 1 415 307 3382