Tech firms' scores plunge in new green electronics test

The overall score of 18 electronics companies has plummeted as Greenpeace tightens requirements on e-waste and toxic chemicals, and adds new requirements for evaluating companies' impact on climate change.

Out of the 18 electronics companies evaluated in the 8th edition of Greenpeace's Guide to Greener Electronics, only two companies—Sony Ericsson and Sony—score above 5/10.

The newly-added energy criteria require companies to show their political support for global mandatory cuts in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the post Kyoto political process. Companies must also commit to absolute reductions in GHG emissions from their own operations. Most companies take a limited view of this by only focusing on the energy efficiency of their products rather than including the production process. The information and communications technology sector currently accounts for 2 percent of global GHG emissions, equal to the aviation industry. As one of the most innovative and fastest growing industries, Greenpeace expects the sector to take leadership in tackling climate change by reducing both their direct and indirect climate carbon footprint.

"Electronics giants pay attention to environmental performance on certain issues, while ignoring others that are just as important. Philips, for example, scores well on chemicals and energy criteria, but scores a zero on e-waste since it has no global take-back polices," said Iza Kruszewska, Greenpeace International Toxics Campaigner. "Philips would score higher if it took responsibility for its own branded e-waste and established equitable global take-back schemes."

Many companies score well on energy efficiency as their products comply and exceed Energy Star standards. The best performers on energy efficiency are Sony Ericsson and Apple, with all of their models meeting, and many exceeding, Energy Star requirements. Sony Ericsson stands out as the first company to score almost top marks on all of the chemicals criteria. With all new Sony Ericsson models being PVC-free, the company has also met the new chemicals criterion in the ranking, having already banned antimony, beryllium and phthalates from models launched since January 2008.

"Greenpeace aims to show which companies are serious about becoming environmental leaders. We want them to race towards meeting the new criteria: phasing out other toxic chemicals, increasing the recycling rate of e-waste, using recycled materials in new products and reducing their impact on climate change," concluded Kruszewska.