The central role of technology in most modern companies
– from desktop and laptop computers, to server farms,
data centres and proliferating mobile devices – means
that IT departments are among the largest consumers of energy in
the corporate landscape. Indeed, Gartner estimates that the global
ICT industry accounts for about 2% of global carbon dioxide
emissions, equivalent to the aviation industry.
Many organisations, as users and manufacturers of technology, are
beginning to adopt a more environmentally sustainable approach to
the use, production, transport and disposal of technology. However,
with recent United Nations estimates that 20 to 50 million tonnes
of computer and phone waste becomes landfill each year –
and with only 12 percent of these products being recycled
– green IT is now firmly on the regulatory, corporate and
consumer agenda.
Green regulation – three ways
'Green' technologies are those designed, manufactured,
developed, distributed and operated in ways that reduce energy
consumption and the use of toxic substances, and minimise the
impact on the environment during the lifecycle and disposal of a
product. Broadly, green technology is regulated in three
ways.
The first approach is self-regulation. Consumers and investors are
increasingly taking account of organisations' approach to
corporate social responsibility, with the result that an
organisation's green reputation and environmental programs can
directly impact its bottom line. Consequently, many technology
manufacturers are implementing internal compliance programs to meet
emerging green standards. Concurrently, the rise in energy prices
is causing organisations and consumers to become more conscious of
the costs of running inefficient products, and to select more
energy efficient technologies which reduce day-to-day power
consumption.
Second, government regulation through legislation can directly
impact a company's environmental profile. Trade practices
legislation regulates environmental claims made by companies, and
new regulations mandating emissions reporting are likely to impact
on technology production and consumption generally.
Finally, organisations are susceptible to indirect regulation.
Stringent environmental legislation now applies in certain
countries, meaning that a company that wishes to sell its products
in those countries must meet their high standards. Companies are
also indirectly regulated by monitoring programs conducted by
non-governmental and quasi-governmental bodies.
Each of these regulatory approaches is considered below.
1. Self-regulation
The ENERGY STAR voluntary labelling regime, created by the US
Environmental Protection Agency, is an example of the
self-regulatory approach. This labelling is commonly seen on
computer hardware, and was revised in 2006 to include stricter
efficiency requirements and a ranking system. Products labelled
with 'ENERGY STAR' must automatically switch to
'sleep' mode when not in use, and must reduce the amount of
power consumed in 'standby' mode. The Australian Government
cooperates with this regime through the national ENERGY STAR
programme, which encourages use of energy efficient equipment in
Australian business.
Technology manufacturers are also improving energy use and reducing
environmental impact through e-waste return and recycling, energy
offset initiatives, and the production of lower energy consumption
devices and smaller hardware. For example:
- Nokia has implemented a take-back program spanning 85 countries
and providing almost 5000 collection points for end-of-life mobile
phones
- since November 2007, all new Samsung LCD panels are PVC-free
(an important milestone as Samsung is the largest supplier of LCD
panels globally)
- Dell has implemented a worldwide product recycling program, as
well as a 'Tree for Me' scheme where customers pay to
offset their carbon emissions. The company has also launched a
competition for engineers to design the world's most
environmentally responsible computing system
- Intel, Google, Microsoft and several other technology companies
have launched the Climate Savers Computing Initiative,
which commits each company to meeting the US Environmental
Protection Agency's ENERGY STAR guidelines for energy-efficient
device.
2. Government regulation
Trade Practices Act 1974 (Cth)
Green claims provide a means for companies to differentiate
themselves from their competitors. For this reason, it is
increasingly common for 'green claims' to form a key
component of a company's marketing strategies. However,
confusion over the truth and substance of the environmental
benefits claimed by companies has led to close monitoring by the
Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC).
There is currently no legislation in Australia that specifically
monitors companies' green claims. However, existing consumer
protection laws require that all companies be able to substantiate
any green benefits claimed. Where companies make misleading or
deceptive representations concerning such characteristics, they are
likely to face scrutiny from the ACCC, and may find themselves in
court in breach of the Trade Practices Act 1974 (TPA).
Companies may also be sued for contravention of State and Territory
Fair Trading Acts.
The ACCC released two sets of guidelines this year, Green
marketing and the Trade Practices Act and Carbon claims
and the Trade Practices Act, to assist businesses in ensuring
their green-related claims comply with the misleading or deceptive
conduct provisions of the TPA. This has coincided with
ACCC-instigated enforcement proceedings against a number of
companies in relation to green claims.
In May 2008, air conditioner manufacturer De Longhi admitted making
misleading representations that its portable air-conditioners were
'environmentally friendly' and contained
'non-harmful' gases. These descriptions were
misleading, as they did not accurately describe the environmental
benefits of the products. De Longhi gave court-enforceable
undertakings to the ACCC to stop using 'environmentally
friendly' in its marketing materials and to change its
advertising to instead state that its particular products contained
the most environmentally friendly gas 'currently
available' in portable air-conditioners.
It is important, therefore, for organisations to consider if any
green claims (whether concerning the company's products or the
company itself) may be false, misleading or deceptive, and to
modify the claims accordingly. For example, claiming a product is
'carbon neutral' may be false or misleading if
there is a net release of carbon into the atmosphere during
manufacturing or disposal. Similarly, 'energy
efficient' may be misleading if there is no objective
gauge to measure efficiency. Manufacturers need to consider the
entire life span of the product when making green claims, and
should avoid overly broad representations, as these are likely to
be difficult to substantiate.
Manufacturers should also ensure that any endorsing logos used are
not misleading or deceptive. In the mid-1990s, a number of
Australian battery manufacturers used the recyclable logo on
products and, even though this claim was technically true, the ACCC
considered this use to be misleading (and a breach of the TPA) as
the facilities required to recycle the batteries were not available
in Australia. This demonstrates that even where a green claim is
technically true, consideration must be given to the overall
substance and practicability of the claim.
The emissions trading scheme and other legislation
Following ratification of the Kyoto Protocol, Australia is
required to implement measures to reduce its greenhouse gas
emissions in order to meet its Kyoto commitment. The Federal
Government's preferred mechanism for doing so is a broad based
national emissions trading scheme. The scheme is the subject of a
detailed Green Paper, and is scheduled to commence in 2010. It is
likely to have a significant impact on the technology industry. A
description of the scheme will be the subject of a future article
in TMT News.
In advance of the scheme, many companies are obliged to report
their greenhouse gas emissions and energy use under the
National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting Act 2007 (Cth).
The first reporting period began on 1 July 2008, and companies are
required to provide their first annual report by October
2009.
A number of energy efficiency schemes have been either implemented
or proposed. The Commonwealth Energy Efficiency Opportunities
Act 2006 requires large energy users to assess and report
opportunities for promoting energy efficiency in their operations,
but does not mandate energy efficiency savings. However, Victoria
has legislated a mandatory energy efficiency target scheme to
commence in 2009, which requires electricity and gas retailers to
offset their 'emissions liability' by surrendering
certificates created through energy efficiency saving activities.
The New South Wales and South Australian governments are proposing
similar schemes, and there is some prospect they will eventually be
rationalised into a national energy efficiency target scheme.
3. Indirect regulation
Non-legislative certification and reporting programs, developed or
endorsed by non-profit, private or quasi-government organisations,
can indirectly impact on organisations' approaches to green
issues.
Every three months, Greenpeace publishes its 'Guide To
Greener Electronics', which assesses environmental
strategies implemented by technology manufacturers. Companies are
assessed, among other things, on their elimination of hazardous
materials and recycling regimes. Nokia took first place in the
September 2008 report, primarily as a result of its e-waste
management initiatives in India. These reporting schemes provide
consumers with feedback, give companies information about their
competitors' activities and the effectiveness of green
programs, and assist in guiding consumer choices.
The 'Green Grid', a global consortium established last year
to advance data centre energy efficiency, is another example of an
indirect regulator. Its founders include Dell, HP, IBM, Sun
Microsystems and Microsoft, and members now include the US
government and private sector organisations and the influence of
these corporate heavyweights is imposing de facto environmental
standards on the data centre industry.
Finally, international import and export regulations may impose
obligations on technology manufacturers, as these regulations are
increasingly tied to environmental impact. The European Union's
Restriction of Hazardous Substances Directive prohibits
the use of hazardous materials in the manufacture of various types
of electrical equipment. Though not binding in Australia, this
legislation still impacts on Australian technology manufacturers,
as in order to sell products in the EU, goods must be EU-standards
compliant. The Directive bans six substances (lead, mercury,
cadmium, hexavalent chromium, poly-brominated biphenyls (PBB) or
polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE)) from exceeding certain
concentration values in new electrical equipment.
Conclusion – adopting a green approach
The current legal landscape in Australia already imposes
obligations on companies in relation to the use and manufacture of
green technologies and in relation to any green features claimed.
With emerging European Union regulations, increasing green
participation by government and private technology players, and
growing consumer awareness on environmental sustainability, it is
inevitable that Australian companies will be subject to further
pressure – both legal and non-legal – in this
arena.
When assessing or implementing its approach to green technology, a
company should:
- ensure its green claims, whether used to promote its products
or its profile, stand up to scrutiny (as claims must not be
misleading or deceptive or otherwise contravene applicable consumer
protection legislation)
- consider whether there are alternative ways of doing business
that could reduce the company's energy consumption and
therefore its costs
- consider whether its processes makes it eligible to participate
in certification schemes, as this may confer on it a competitive
advantage
- assess how its environmental reputation might be affected
(adversely or otherwise) should it be subject to external
monitoring and reporting, for example by Greenpeace in its
Guide To Greener Electronics
- ensure it complies with its emissions reporting obligations
under Australian law
- consider whether its products comply with more stringent
regulations imposed in other countries (particularly the EU), and
the potential effect on the company should similar laws be passed
in Australia.
The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.