Greenpeace International has put search giant Google on its Cool IT Leaderboard, overtaking Cisco and Ericsson, for its strong support for cleaner energy solutions.
Technology leader Apple and Facebook, which just became public, were not included in the list of the “cleanest” information technology companies, Greenpeace said in a statement yesterday.
“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”, said Greenpeace International IT analyst Gary Cook.
“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”.
The latest Cool IT Leaderboard ranks 21 IT companies on their clean energy leadership potential, willingness to embrace clean energy solutions and potential to influence energy decisions. Google topped the table for its clear support of stronger US clean energy policy and the strengthening of the EU’s current 20% greenhouse gas target of 30% by 2020.
Energy demand in the IT sector is rapidly growing. The expansion of global telecom infrastructure and data centres that power the ‘Cloud’ (2) is driving the search for more energy. At present, much of the energy used by these companies come from dirty and finite sources such as coal and diesel.
Cook said IT companies must spearhead the use of cleaner and greener energy sources because of their demand, technological know-how, and influence.
“The IT industry must use its influence, innovative spirit and technological know-how to overcome the dirty energy companies who are holding on to the status quo, and holding us back from a transition to a renewable energy economy”, said Cook. “What we’re seeing is a lot of talk from companies about moving toward clean energy, but so far, not much of action”.
While Google ranks high on the Greenpeace Leaderboard because of its its political advocacy and sourcing of renewable energy, Japanese telecommunications company Softbank has received the Leaderboard’s highest political advocacy score ever.
Greenpeace said Softbank was lauded for its demand for a rapid shift towards renewable energy and away from nuclear power after the nuclear power disaster in Fukushima, Japan.
Google, Cisco, and Dell were also credited for for sourcing over 20% renewable energy globally for each company’s infrastructures. Oracle received the lowest ranking overall due to failing to disclose either renewable or dirty energy use.
Six telecommunications companies were added since the latest version, along with major IT software and equipment brands from India and Japan.
Overall, while the Greenpeace ranking found a steady increase in the quantity and strength of renewable energy solutions from many companies such as Cisco, IBM, Ericsson and Fujitsu, it also found a significant drop-off in policy advocacy leadership by IT companies.
Greenpeace expressed disappointment over the world's most influential IT brands, namely Apple and Facebook. The two firms were not included in the list because of their failure to meet criteria, the environment group said.
Apple, despite record profits, has not demonstrated leadership nor elected to pursue market opportunities to drive IT energy solutions that many of its competitors have, Greenpeace said.
Facebook was not included in the previous Leaderboard for similar reasons, but has recently changed its policies and committed to a renewably powered Facebook, and announced a partnership with Opower to use the Facebook platform to help its users compare their energy usage. Facebook will be included in next year’s Leaderboard. — TJD, GMA News
article source: gmanetwork.com
