Technology Giants Rated Low by Greenpeace

Environmental group Greenpeace on Tuesday issued a report that gave technology titans, including Samsung Electronics, Amazon and Huawei, low marks for their impact on the environment. The group’s “USA Guide to Greener Electronics” said many of the biggest technology companies failed to deliver on commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and were still reluctant to commit fully to renewable energy, AP reported. The report, which assessed 17 top global tech companies in three areas, also faulted many of them for failing to use more recycled materials in their products and their slow progress in phasing out the use of toxic materials. “Tech companies claim to be at the forefront of innovation, but their supply chains are stuck in the Industrial Age,” Gary Cook, a campaigner at Greenpeace US, said in a statement. Samsung received a grade of D in its use of renewable energy, which accounted for just 1% of its manufacturing process, compared with Apple, which relied on renewable energy for 96% of its operation. Samsung, the world’s largest maker of smartphones and the supplier of key components to many of the companies featured in the report, saw its greenhouse gas emissions rise 24% in 2016 from two years ago. It also received low marks on its efforts to reduce and disclose hazardous chemicals at workplaces and to design long-lasting products. Samsung and other companies mentioned in the report did not immediately respond to emails seeking comment. Chinese smartphone-makers Huawei, Xiaomi, Oppo and Vivo scored below average in all categories and lacked transparency and commitment in renewable energy, the report said. Amazon was the only US company that received the lowest mark, an F, in its overall environmental performance, along with the Chinese phone-makers. Greenpeace said Amazon was among the least transparent companies and did not report the greenhouse gas footprint of its operations. Among the 17 companies, Amsterdam-based Fairphone and Apple were said to be doing better in various areas. Greenpeace campaigner Lee Insung said, "In the next three to five years, the use of renewable energy and how well the companies cope with climate change will determine their core competitiveness."