Apple has pulled out of EPEAT, a global non-profit eco-rating service sponsored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and will no longer label its electronic products according to their environmental impact as a result.

In stating its disappointment at the move, EPEAT noted that its certification program is "more than simply a product rating – it is also a community effort by all interested stakeholders to define and maintain best practice in environmental sustainability for electronics."

Tech Week Europe sees it as "a setback to Apple’s green campaign and may have come about because of difficulties in dismantling and recycling new MacBook products."Continue reading...

When it comes to climate change, consider the conversion of Admiral David Titley, Chief Oceanographer and Navigator of the US Navy. The former climate skeptic is now a climate crusader, convinced that this issue is the greatest challenge of the 21st century.

According to one estimate, about two-thirds of Interbrand's latest ranking of the top 100 best global brands could step up on the climate change front.

The research firm's new "Cool Brands versus Hot Brands" report (here's a .pdf) assesses the world's leading brands on their current and long-term policies around sustainability, carbon emissions, and specifically climate change.

An estimated 69% lack adequate policies, management systems and reporting, according to the analysis by EIRIS, which is short for Experts in Responsible Investment Solutions.Continue reading...