Comments on: Dell’s Carbon Neutral Goal Is a Mere Fraction of Emissions for Its Products http://earth2tech.com/2008/12/30/dells-carbon-neutral-goal-is-a-mere-fraction-of-emissions-for-its-products/ Helping the Earth with Technology Tue, 16 Mar 2010 21:04:39 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: Steve Jobs Seeks to Remake Carbon Accouting via A Greener Apple http://earth2tech.com/2008/12/30/dells-carbon-neutral-goal-is-a-mere-fraction-of-emissions-for-its-products/#comment-38737 Steve Jobs Seeks to Remake Carbon Accouting via A Greener Apple Fri, 25 Sep 2009 15:33:06 +0000 http://earth2tech.com/?p=18886#comment-38737 <p>[...] carbon footprint of its operations is far less important than the carbon footprint of its products. This very issue has drawn criticism for companies like Dell in the past, which skeptics claim neglects emissions from its products. Jobs tells Business Week: A [...]</p> [...] carbon footprint of its operations is far less important than the carbon footprint of its products. This very issue has drawn criticism for companies like Dell in the past, which skeptics claim neglects emissions from its products. Jobs tells Business Week: A [...]

]]> By: Intel, Dell Among IT Firms Buying Considerable “Green Power” http://earth2tech.com/2008/12/30/dells-carbon-neutral-goal-is-a-mere-fraction-of-emissions-for-its-products/#comment-29999 Intel, Dell Among IT Firms Buying Considerable “Green Power” Tue, 28 Apr 2009 07:01:45 +0000 http://earth2tech.com/?p=18886#comment-29999 <p>[...] system isn’t perfect but hey, they’re making a real effort. And the IT industry, which has faced a lot of finger pointing, is actually forging ahead faster than many others, according to the Environmental Protection [...]</p> [...] system isn’t perfect but hey, they’re making a real effort. And the IT industry, which has faced a lot of finger pointing, is actually forging ahead faster than many others, according to the Environmental Protection [...]

]]> By: 5 Green Announcements on the First Day of CES 2009 « Earth2Tech http://earth2tech.com/2008/12/30/dells-carbon-neutral-goal-is-a-mere-fraction-of-emissions-for-its-products/#comment-23613 5 Green Announcements on the First Day of CES 2009 « Earth2Tech Thu, 08 Jan 2009 13:00:26 +0000 http://earth2tech.com/?p=18886#comment-23613 <p>[...] 1). Motorola Calls Up Recycled Water Bottles: The largest U.S. cell phone maker has launched a phone — the MOTO W233 “Renew” — that is made partly from recycled water bottles and is fully recyclable. It’ll be available first from T-Mobile USA this quarter. In addition to the more eco-materials in the phone, Motorola says the phone is also “the world’s first carbon neutral phone,” because Motorola is offsetting the carbon emitted for the manufacturing, distribution and operation of the phone with Carbonfund.org (wonder how they calculated that given the complexities). [...]</p> [...] 1). Motorola Calls Up Recycled Water Bottles: The largest U.S. cell phone maker has launched a phone — the MOTO W233 “Renew” — that is made partly from recycled water bottles and is fully recyclable. It’ll be available first from T-Mobile USA this quarter. In addition to the more eco-materials in the phone, Motorola says the phone is also “the world’s first carbon neutral phone,” because Motorola is offsetting the carbon emitted for the manufacturing, distribution and operation of the phone with Carbonfund.org (wonder how they calculated that given the complexities). [...]

]]> By: 10 Cleantech Predictions for 2009 | Eco Friendly Mag http://earth2tech.com/2008/12/30/dells-carbon-neutral-goal-is-a-mere-fraction-of-emissions-for-its-products/#comment-23216 10 Cleantech Predictions for 2009 | Eco Friendly Mag Thu, 01 Jan 2009 10:13:14 +0000 http://earth2tech.com/?p=18886#comment-23216 <p>[...] 9) Public Perceptions of Green to Become More Savvy: In harder economic times, consumers tend to more carefully investigate what they buy. That means tech companies with green claims — more eco-gadgets, solar panels, vehicles even — will face more scrutiny. And they should. If consumers spend extra money on a greener product, that product should deliver on its promises. The FTC plans a crackdown on greenwashing next year. Journalists are also getting more savvy for nascent topics like carbon markets (see the WSJ’s look at Dell’s carbon neutral strategy). [...]</p> [...] 9) Public Perceptions of Green to Become More Savvy: In harder economic times, consumers tend to more carefully investigate what they buy. That means tech companies with green claims — more eco-gadgets, solar panels, vehicles even — will face more scrutiny. And they should. If consumers spend extra money on a greener product, that product should deliver on its promises. The FTC plans a crackdown on greenwashing next year. Journalists are also getting more savvy for nascent topics like carbon markets (see the WSJ’s look at Dell’s carbon neutral strategy). [...]

]]> By: Katie Fehrenbacher http://earth2tech.com/2008/12/30/dells-carbon-neutral-goal-is-a-mere-fraction-of-emissions-for-its-products/#comment-23122 Katie Fehrenbacher Tue, 30 Dec 2008 23:45:17 +0000 http://earth2tech.com/?p=18886#comment-23122 <p>Thanks for the comments guys.</p> <p>To 'How Carbon Neutral Is Dell, Really?' I wouldn't call the WSJ article a reproach of companies, more like making the process of going carbon neutral and emissions offsets more transparent. Hence why I said in our post that: "we hope that a closer look at Dell’s carbon footprint plans ends up helping the company make those plans better, and does not deter it and other large corporations from attempting to reduce their emissions." I think it is entirely fair and necessary to examine the carbon neutral process.</p> <p>To Hal Jordan, I agree with you that Dell has taken admirable steps in this area, which is why I said in the post that they have been making one of the most substantial efforts in this area in the computing industry.</p> <p>It seems to me that the main point of contention perhaps is that both commenters think I didn't praise Dell's green efforts enough. I disagree with that. We have discussed the positive aspects of Dell's carbon reducing efforts in a variety of posts on earth2tech (as well as in this post) and Dell's very capable PR team has done the same in the media throughout 2008. The WSJ piece was one of the first I've read that took a closer look at Dell's carbon neutral project, and yes, pointed out some negative aspects. I would expect that Dell is doing the same kind of analysis and if they're not, they should be doing it.</p> Thanks for the comments guys.

To ‘How Carbon Neutral Is Dell, Really?’ I wouldn’t call the WSJ article a reproach of companies, more like making the process of going carbon neutral and emissions offsets more transparent. Hence why I said in our post that: “we hope that a closer look at Dell’s carbon footprint plans ends up helping the company make those plans better, and does not deter it and other large corporations from attempting to reduce their emissions.” I think it is entirely fair and necessary to examine the carbon neutral process.

To Hal Jordan, I agree with you that Dell has taken admirable steps in this area, which is why I said in the post that they have been making one of the most substantial efforts in this area in the computing industry.

It seems to me that the main point of contention perhaps is that both commenters think I didn’t praise Dell’s green efforts enough. I disagree with that. We have discussed the positive aspects of Dell’s carbon reducing efforts in a variety of posts on earth2tech (as well as in this post) and Dell’s very capable PR team has done the same in the media throughout 2008. The WSJ piece was one of the first I’ve read that took a closer look at Dell’s carbon neutral project, and yes, pointed out some negative aspects. I would expect that Dell is doing the same kind of analysis and if they’re not, they should be doing it.

]]> By: How Carbon Neutral Is Dell, Really? http://earth2tech.com/2008/12/30/dells-carbon-neutral-goal-is-a-mere-fraction-of-emissions-for-its-products/#comment-23120 How Carbon Neutral Is Dell, Really? Tue, 30 Dec 2008 23:08:58 +0000 http://earth2tech.com/?p=18886#comment-23120 <p>A one-sided article in the Wall Street Journal today confuses life-cycle analysis, additionality, and complementary climate and energy policy approaches in a "smart-sounding" but misleading reproach of companies such as Dell, Google and Timberland that have taken early steps to reduce their greenhouse gas impact. The comments in the WSJ following the article deconstruct its vague but implied claims that these companies "aren't doing it right". Journalists that don't do their homework but still pretend to be climate policy experts (or otherwise have hidden agendas) are getting easier to spot these days (right Katie?!)</p> A one-sided article in the Wall Street Journal today confuses life-cycle analysis, additionality, and complementary climate and energy policy approaches in a “smart-sounding” but misleading reproach of companies such as Dell, Google and Timberland that have taken early steps to reduce their greenhouse gas impact. The comments in the WSJ following the article deconstruct its vague but implied claims that these companies “aren’t doing it right”. Journalists that don’t do their homework but still pretend to be climate policy experts (or otherwise have hidden agendas) are getting easier to spot these days (right Katie?!)

]]> By: How Carbon Neutral Is Dell, Really? http://earth2tech.com/2008/12/30/dells-carbon-neutral-goal-is-a-mere-fraction-of-emissions-for-its-products/#comment-23117 How Carbon Neutral Is Dell, Really? Tue, 30 Dec 2008 22:25:32 +0000 http://earth2tech.com/?p=18886#comment-23117 <p>[...] Or did it? Spurred by a brilliant article in the Wall Street Journal, Katie Fehrenbacher over on Earth2Tech helps deconstruct Dell’s claims that it is carbon neutral, a claim that is up for [...]</p> [...] Or did it? Spurred by a brilliant article in the Wall Street Journal, Katie Fehrenbacher over on Earth2Tech helps deconstruct Dell’s claims that it is carbon neutral, a claim that is up for [...]

]]> By: Hal Jordan http://earth2tech.com/2008/12/30/dells-carbon-neutral-goal-is-a-mere-fraction-of-emissions-for-its-products/#comment-23106 Hal Jordan Tue, 30 Dec 2008 18:16:15 +0000 http://earth2tech.com/?p=18886#comment-23106 <p>Wait... Jeff Ball? the Wall Street Journal? Oh... so before falling for it, check your sources and you'll find that Jeff Ball (with long standing links to the OIL INDUSTRY) is not exactly the environmentalist's watchdog behind the curtain. He has recently published in WSJ a series of 'hit pieces' on companies and projects that attempt to do something real about climate change. Usually presented as "not green enough" he throws journalistic stink-bombs at some of the best players, concepts, and projects out there. The goal is obvious, given the venue. No really, check your sources (all of you), it helps. Dell has made quite admirable steps, within their own sphere of infuence, to reduce the impact of their products, Apple, as we know, is great at marketing.</p> Wait… Jeff Ball? the Wall Street Journal? Oh… so before falling for it, check your sources and you’ll find that Jeff Ball (with long standing links to the OIL INDUSTRY) is not exactly the environmentalist’s watchdog behind the curtain. He has recently published in WSJ a series of ‘hit pieces’ on companies and projects that attempt to do something real about climate change. Usually presented as “not green enough” he throws journalistic stink-bombs at some of the best players, concepts, and projects out there. The goal is obvious, given the venue. No really, check your sources (all of you), it helps. Dell has made quite admirable steps, within their own sphere of infuence, to reduce the impact of their products, Apple, as we know, is great at marketing.

]]> By: SeanatDell http://earth2tech.com/2008/12/30/dells-carbon-neutral-goal-is-a-mere-fraction-of-emissions-for-its-products/#comment-23103 SeanatDell Tue, 30 Dec 2008 17:09:52 +0000 http://earth2tech.com/?p=18886#comment-23103 <p>Hi Katie,</p> <p>Thanks for shining the spotlight on this important issue. We are not the first company to commit to a carbon-neutral goal and we obviously hope many, many more will follow. It is key to driving new sources of green energy across the globe. Yahoo, Google, HSBC and News Corp. are just a few of the companies that have taken a leadership role in this regard.</p> <p>The guidelines that Dell uses to reduce, eliminate and account for emissions are widely accepted by the environmental community. The process isn't perfect, but as you note in your post, companies should not be deterred from reducing their emissions. Eric Carlson at Carbonfund.org posted an interesting perspective on the need for more companies to invest in profitable green energy projects - http://carbonfund.blogspot.com.</p> <p>Our work is only getting started when it comes to protecting the environment. The Journal story (and discussion topics you raise in your post) serve as a reminder that we're at the dawn of an exciting and essential era of environmental responsibility, one that we're committed to leading.</p> <ul> <li>SeanatDell</li> </ul> Hi Katie,

Thanks for shining the spotlight on this important issue. We are not the first company to commit to a carbon-neutral goal and we obviously hope many, many more will follow. It is key to driving new sources of green energy across the globe. Yahoo, Google, HSBC and News Corp. are just a few of the companies that have taken a leadership role in this regard.

The guidelines that Dell uses to reduce, eliminate and account for emissions are widely accepted by the environmental community. The process isn’t perfect, but as you note in your post, companies should not be deterred from reducing their emissions. Eric Carlson at Carbonfund.org posted an interesting perspective on the need for more companies to invest in profitable green energy projects – http://carbonfund.blogspot.com.

Our work is only getting started when it comes to protecting the environment. The Journal story (and discussion topics you raise in your post) serve as a reminder that we’re at the dawn of an exciting and essential era of environmental responsibility, one that we’re committed to leading.

  • SeanatDell
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