Cool brands fail in climate test

A new study by responsible investment research firm EIRIS says that two-thirds of the world's top 100 brands are failing on climate change.

The report "Cool Brands versus Hot Brands?" focuses on the world's leading 100 brands, and finds that 69% of those with a high climate change impact lack adequate policies, management systems and reporting on climate change.

According to the study, those who don't get it include Porsche. And those who get, and have shown leadership, include Gillette, Toyota, Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Honda.

EIRIS has applied its climate change methodology to give climate score to studied companies. Here is the report. But if you are hoping to find the list of the 100 brands and their respective scores or ranking, you will be disappointed.

Mindless consumption of mobile phones

My current mobile phone is only the fourth phone I have owned in the last 15 years. And this phone still does its job very well. I don't see why I should change my phone. But my 12 year old does not share the view. He already owns his fourth mobile phone and looking forward to the fifth one next month. He is already cribbing that his is the most old-fashioned phone in his group of friends. Everytime a new mobile is launched and backed by sexy advertising, he and millions others like him, want to throw their otherwise perfect phones and buy a new one. Just to stay with the fashion! It's obvious that the old phones are dumped in poor countries or simply trashed adding to landfils.
I don't see any attempt by mobile phone manufacturers (and why should they?) or telecommunication service providers to promote a responsible consumption of mobile phones.

Ethical Corporation online debate on mobile companies and climate change

Ethical Corporation magazine is organizing a live online debate on how mobile companies can enable a low carbon economy. The first session begins in a few minutes with two more sessions today to accomodate different time zones.
The debate is triggered by a new report Carbon Connections: Qualtifying mobile's role in tackling climate change. The debate will be moderated by Toby Webb, founder and managing director of Ethical Corporation, Simon Propper, Managing Director, Context Group and Pam Muckosy, Head of Research, Ethical Corporation. Speakers are from Vodafone, SAP and the Climate Group.
Join the debate if you are interested here

Hide and Bill, Time to Change the Ugly Box

Minimizing electricity consumption is one of the simple ways people can contribute to climate change mitigation. But the location and design of electric meters don't help. For strange reasons, electric meters are hidden somewhere far away from the users' eyes. And why not? That is where they serve the power producing and distribution companies best. Hide and bill!

The time has come that we innovate a green electric meter. Some of the features in the new meter should include: Good designs so that it can be installed inside the house/offices (the current ones are really ugly), Large display of meter reading with illumination (we want to be able to see it even in the dark), provision to set limit-alarms for various appliances/electric points, provision to set a total cap on the electricity that can be consumed (the system will shut off the suppy when the cap is breached) and show the total amount ($$) spent as well (showing only the units consumed is not good enough).

The question is why power producers and suppliers will do this which will potentially shrink their sales? Fair enough. Then governments should legislate requiring installation of such meters. Civil society too can campaign for such a legislation.

Smart electricity companies should pre-empt legislation and civil society campaigns by taking a voluntary action.