Apple and Facebook flunk Greenpeace environmental IT report
Apple has come under fire from environmental group Greenpeace for its lack of effort to raise awareness around issues of climate change and address it own energy use levels, despite record profits in recent months.
The Cool IT Leaderboard report assess many of the world's major technology firms for their work in raising the awareness of climate change issues, the work they do to reduce their own energy output and the services they provides for others to try and reduce their own impact.
Greenpeace said Apple was not even included in its report because the firm had made so little effort on these issues.
"It has not demonstrated leadership or elected to pursue market opportunities to drive IT energy solutions that many of its competitors have, despite record profits and large cash reserves," the organisation said.
Facebook was also not included in the report for similar reasons, although Greenpeace noted the firm has now committed to become more energy aware and said it would include the firm in next year's report.
Apple declined to comment on the report while Facebook had not responded to a request for comment.
In contrast, the two firm's bitter rival Google came top of the survey thanks to its high-profile investment in renewable energy projects and its vocal support for US clean energy policy and the European Commission's efforts to seek more challenging climate change targets, Greenpeace said.
V3 contacted Google for comment but had not received a reply at the time of publication.
Greenpeace International IT analyst Gary Cook said the survey highlighted the crucial role IT firms can play to help cut greenhouse gas emissions.
"Technology giants have a real opportunity to use their power and influence to change how we produce and use energy. Google tops the table because it's putting its money where its mouth is by pumping investment into renewable energy," he said in a statement.
"The IT sector might like to consider itself forward-thinking, but it is keeping far too quiet while the dirty-energy industry continues to exert undue influence on both the political process and financial markets."
Other firms that performed well included Cisco, which came second, down from the top spot last year, while Ericsson and Fujitsu were joint third place.
MTCHT
ICT
TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATIONS
POST
ABOUT US
NEWS
INTERESTING
INTERVIEW
ANALYSIS
ONLAIN LESSONS
