14 DAY TRIAL // Apple has confirmed that its 2010 proxy materials are now available online under the US Securities and Exchange Commission’s Notice and Access rules. An official Apple report informs that these documents can be found at www.apple.com/investor. Apple claims it is able to significantly reduce the environmental impact of producing and delivering printed materials, as a result of the Notice and Access rules.
According to the report, “Apple shareholders may still obtain a hard copy of the proxy materials free of charge by following the instructions provided on www.apple.com/investor or in the Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials that will be mailed to individuals who were Apple shareholders as of December 28, 2009. Apple’s 2009 Form 10-K was filed on October 27, 2009 and may also be viewed at www.apple.com/investor.”
Based on the documents provided by Apple, Softpedia has learned that the company's board is urging its shareholders to reject several proposals focused on environmental efforts. Included in its annual proxy statement are the board's recommendations for votes on seven proposals. Set to be submitted by John Powers from the activist group As You Sow, Proposal No. 6 seeks to establish a sustainability report detailing information such as greenhouse gas emissions and toxic materials, while addressing employee and product safety.
“Globally, over 2,700 companies issued reports on sustainability issues in 2007,” the proposal reads. “[Dell, IBM, and HP] have provided detailed assessments of greenhouse gas emission exposure and made reduction commitments. Apple, however, lags behind global industry peers on sustainability reporting.”
Admitting that Apple has released product-specific information regarding greenhouse gas emissions, As You Sow is pushing the company to expand the reports to include aggregate emission estimates, as well as specific commitments regarding greenhouse gas reduction. Apple defends its latest environmental efforts and disclosures and cites improvements to energy efficiency in its products, while suppliers are instructed to check compliance with its code of conduct.