14 DAY TRIAL // Environment oriented organization Greenpeace has released the latest edition of its “Guide to Greener Electronics”, which takes a look at consumer electronics companies and their practices linked to the environment and ranks them in order to influence the purchase choices of potential customers.
Japan based console manufacturer and game maker Nintendo has again been ranked last.
The company is judged to have increased its carbon emissions, despite pledging to limit them, and is criticized for having no actual policy on electronic waste.
Nintendo receives some points for a new power adapter for the Nintendo DS family of handhelds which is in line with requirements from the Energy Star programme.
Microsoft, another company which makes home gaming consoles and also publishes games, is just one position above Nintendo, having lost one position since the last report because it has failed to abide by a commitment to eliminate “BFRs and PVC by the end of 2010”.
Sony, the other company that creates both handheld and home consoles, has managed to score much better than its rivals, taking sixth place in a tie with both Motorola and Panasonic.
The company is praised for the fact that it has completely eliminated some dangerous chemicals from its products but Greenpeace there are more substances that Sony could pledge to reduce use of and even eliminate from its manufacturing process.
The top rated company in the “Guide to Greener Electronics” is Nokia, the well known phone manufacturer, which managed to edge out Sony Ericsson in second place and Philips in third.
Nintendo has long disputed the evaluation from Greenpeace, saying that it takes into account the environmental impact of its devices and takes step to make them as green as possible.
It's unlikely that any video game lover will base its choice of gaming console, either for the home or a handheld, on the Greenpeace report but as the differences between the companies become smaller green credentials might become more important than ever.