IBM and Google top green survey
09-05-2008
by Emmet Ryan

Google and IBM were given the green seal of approval as the two tech giants topped categories in the second annual Climate Counts Company Scorecard.

The study, conducted by environmental interest group Climate Counts, aims to create a simple ranking of companies that would motivate both the companies themselves and consumers to step up their efforts on climate change.

Google was top of the heap in the internet and software category. The internet search giant once again got one over on Microsoft in this category by achieving the highest score in the category, 55 out of 100. IT behemoth Microsoft was well behind on 38, just one point ahead of search engine Yahoo.

IBM meanwhile was awarded the top score in the electronics category and was one of several companies in this section to be given 'Striding' status, meaning Big Blue is working hard to go green. IBM beat off the challenge of other firms with 'Striding' status such as HP and Canon to take the top slot.

There was bad news for Apple though as a meagre score of 11 out of 100 saw the electronics-and-all-things-hip firm given the dreaded 'Stuck' status. This means Apple rates poorly in its efforts to enact more environmentally-friendly policies. This is far from Apple's first time in the doghouse with the environmental lobby. Organisations such as Greenpeace have been pressuring the firm to improve its record on green issues for several years now.

Climate Counts said, overall, firms had taken more action on environmental issues over the past 12 months and that businesses were paying more heed to consumer pressure towards this end.

The study was released on the same day that the GAA announced plans to reduce its carbon footprint. The Cul Green plan, which the sporting body is enacting with the aid of the ESB, sets environmental targets for Croke Park.

The association wants to dramatically reduce the carbon footprint at the sporting venue over the next six years. The new project will cut Croke Park's annual 4,500 tonnes carbon emissions output by more than two-thirds. Under Cul Green, the GAA will establish an environmental improvement programme covering the stadium's electricity, waste and water management systems.