Commercial, Energy Efficiency, GHG Emissions  -  December 23, 2019

Consumer tech saw 9% drop in GHG emissions, CTA report finds

The Consumer Technology Association found that member companies reduced their Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions in the United States by an average of 9%, according to their newly released 2019 Industry Report on GHG Emissions.

Members of CTA include tech companies such as Apple, Dell, HP, Microsoft, Sony and more. This was the tech trade association’s first report of member GHG emissions and took into account data from 2016 to 2017.

The report also found that, despite an 11.7% industry growth from 2016 to 2017, global emissions only grew 2.7% thanks to initiatives by the companies to limit their carbon footprint.

“The consumer technology industry is committed to creating solutions that address climate change,” Gary Shapiro, president and CEO of CTA, said in a statement. “This report is a key step to monitoring the progress we’ve already made – and understanding how we can continue to improve. Tech devices are more sustainable and efficient than ever – using fewer materials to produce and less energy to operate – and helping us to save energy and cut emissions by teleworking and automating tasks at home. Tracking our carbon emissions and sharing our progress will drive our industry to find even better ways to protect the planet for future generations.”

In 2017, CTA committed to measuring the consumer tech industry’s GHG emissions through a third-party organization, issuing an annual report tracking combined progress and encouraging CTA members to track and publicly disclose their emissions data.

According to the report, tech devices in U.S. homes increased by 21% from 2013 to 2017, but those devices accounted for 25% less residential energy. CTA also recognized a list of members with a CDP score of A or A-, based on an assessment of comprehensiveness of content/data provided; company awareness of climate change issues, management methods and progress on climate change initiatives. The list includes Adobe Systems, Alphabet, Apple, Canon, LG Display, Microsoft and Nikon, to name a few.

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