The Greenpeace Guide to Greener Electronics Cover
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, Dell, Apple, Lenovo,
Samsung, 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] Among Indian brands, Zenith and PCS Technology
are yet to address this issue, where as not much commitment is
forthcoming from HCL and Wipro. 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.
Zenith remains at the bottom of the ranking guide for second
successive time with all-nil score following its backtracking from
earlier commitment on chemical phase-out and e-waste recycling. PCS
Technology is stranded as it has not improved. HCL and Wipro have
moved on precautionary principle and support for Individual
Producer Responsibility (IPR), but lack in energy efficiency
criteria as well as commitment to completely phase out PVC and BFR.
None of these Indian companies has whole range of energy star
certified efficient products in the market, barring HCL that has a
few.
"It is unfortunate that Indian companies are lacking in
implementing their policy commitment to make products that are
toxic-free, easy to recycle and energy efficient." said Greenpeace
India Toxics Campaigner, Abhishek Pratap. "This would not only
reflect intension of these companies on the issues of environmental
pollution and climate change but also set precedent for other
manufactures."
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 and HP's position on IPR in India is still not
clear. Further, 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.
Zenith remains at the bottom of the ranking guide for second
successive time with all-nil score post the withdrawal from its
earlier commitment on chemical phase-out and e-waste recycling. PCS
Technology is stranded as it has not improved. HCL and Wipro have
moved on Precautionary principle and support for Individual
Producer Responsibility (IPR), but lacking in energy efficiency
criteria as well as commitment to completely phase out PVC and BFR.
None of these Indian companies has whole range of energy star
certified energy efficient products in the market, barring HCL
that has a few.
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 is not good enough to continue
with just complying with regulation; the sector must step up to the
challenge and lead before it can be truly green".
The Greener Electronics Guide Version 10 is available at
http://www.greenpeace.org/international/campaigns/toxics/electronics/how-the-companies-line-up.