HP swipes top spot from Nokia in Greenpeace electronic list

Hewlett Packard (HP) has pipped rival consumer electronic brands Dell and Nokia to the post by gaining top marks for its sustainable operations in Greenpeace's 17th Greener Electronics Guide.


In Greenpeace’s revised version of its ‘Guide to Greener Electronics’, a system launched in 2006 which ranks companies across three areas; energy, greener products and sustainable operations, HP was ranked top green electronic company for 2011 gaining a score of 5.9 out of 10.

It beat former number one Nokia, which lost its lead position and slipped three places, scoring 4.9 out of 10 after its scorecard revealed its energy criteria had let it down.

This year’s guide also sets out new criteria for companies, by challenging them to reduce their carbon footprint in manufacturing, in supply chains and through to the end-of-life phase of their products. Ambitious goals for renewable energy use were also set as sustainability is pushed up the corporate agenda.

According to HP’s scoring card, it did best in the sustainable operations and energy criteria, as a result of its work to reduce carbon emissions and implement climate legislation. However, it was told it should improve in the green products criteria – an area Nokia scored highly in.

Meanwhile, Dell rose eight places, scoring 5.1 out of 10, with its energy criteria also winning praise as well as its target to reduce carbon emissions by 40% by 2015. However, like HP it also scored poorly on its green products.

Commenting on the list, Greenpeace international campaigner Tom Dowdall, said: “After many of the world’s leading electronics companies rose to the challenge of phasing out the worst hazardous substances, we are now challenging them to improve their sourcing of minerals and better managing the energy use throughout the supply chain.

“Right now, HP takes the top spot because it is scoring strongly by measuring and reducing carbon emissions from its supply chain, reducing its own emissions and advocating for strong climate legislation. However all companies we included in the guide have an opportunity to show more leadership in reducing their climate impact.”

For the first time Blackberry manufacturer Research in Motion (RIM) was included in the list, although it currently sits at the bottom of the table. This is because it needs to “improve reporting and disclosure of its environmental performance”, explained Greenpeace, adding that it did score well on conflict materials and sustainable paper policy.

The Guide to Greener Electronics can be found here.

Carys Matthews

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