Apple carries out overall assesment of MacBook CO2 production
Apple carried out a LCA (life cycle assessment) of its new MacBook. “The company’s study concluded that electrical power consumed during product use accounts for the largest amount of GHG emissions — 53 percent (or 5.3 million metric tons), with mining and manufacture ranked second at 38 percent (3.8 million metric tons).” Apple “still refuses to make specific GHG emission reduction commitments” (source: greenbiz.com)
“”Japanese conglomerate Toshiba announced last week that it will begin construction of a pilot carbon capture and storage (CCS) plant early next year adjacent to an existing coal-fired power plant in Omuta City, Japan.
Although better known for its consumer electronics business, Toshiba owns and operates a number of gas power plants and is also the parent of global nuclear energy giant Westinghouse.”" (source: greenbiz)
“In EPA’s most recent ranking of Fortune 500 companies that purchase renewable energy, Intel comes out on top, edging out PepsiCo by about 75 million kWh.” (source: environmentalleader.com)
Sustainable lunch time at Microsoft’s restaurant in Redmond
Microsoft obtained the Green Restaurant Association’s Certification for its foodservice at Redmond campus. To obtain this achievement Microsoft is using biodegradable cafeteria and kitchen accessories (e.g. no plastic cups) and has reduced waste in its kitchen by 50 percent since the start of the compostable program. Moreover every month the company sends 883 gallons of used fryer oil to be recycled into biofuels.
To keep the certification Microsft in 2009 is expected to source more sustainable food (30% of menu), like organic and sustainable seafood and to diminish water usage by installing low flow aerators for hand washing and sinks.
Microsoft to reduce emissions per unit by 30%Microsoft aims to reduce carbon emissions per unit of revenue by 30% by 2012 compared to 2007. Please note that this doesn’t mean reducing total carbon emissions, but the ratio between emissions and revenues. As Microsoft revenues will hopefully grow the task is actually easier than it seems and I am still wondering if the environment is more keen about total emissions or emissions per revenue…
It’s good news anyway, as the target will be achieved by “improving energy use in buildings and operations, reducing air travel and increasing use of renewable energy ” like Rob Bernard, Chief Environmental Strategist, declared.
Benefits to the bottom line are expected, like the US$90 million saved last year on travel costs thanks to the Unified Communications software.
