The Sound Green

I am an Apple consumer.  Ever since those grade school days using the OLD Apple Macintosh computers I have been a fan.  But, I am also a fan of the environment and those companies who honor it and their stakeholders through their environmental reporting, such as Dell, IBM and HP.  Thus, I am quite disappointed with Steve Jobs and Apple execs, even Board member Al Gore.  As an industry leader, why doesn't Apple want to follow suit?  This past February at the annual shareholders' meeting, two proposals to require further analysis of the company's environmental impact were rejected by the majority of shareholders, while a small group spearheaded by As You Sow, fought for this necessary move.

One proposal would have asked Apple to produce a detailed environmental sustainability report. The other called for a board committee focused on sustainability. Apple, which had opposed the measures, said investors rejected the proposals but did not give voting percentages.  Responding to shareholder questions about Apple's environmental record, Jobs pointed to several steps he said the company is taking, such as getting suppliers to make products with nontoxic materials and reducing waste by cutting down on extraneous packaging. (Huffington Post)

If they can put this information on their website why can't they shell out the money to create an annual report?  Small and large companies alike are reporting on their environmental and social goals and performance under Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) guidelines.  Is it necessary to follow their peers, or can they have transparency by putting up information online only?  I'm not sure whether to believe their claim of taking an "alternative" route.  It seems more like they have something to hide.  I mean, the only sustainable success that has been confirmed is the financial sustainability of the firm and its shareholders' value (which has increased at an average of nearly 1000%).   


Article References:
As You Sow an organization that strives to increase corporate responsibility; spoke at the shareholders meeting on behalf of a small group of shareholders who proposed the environmental efforts.  This is the second year they have proposed Apple to report publicly.
Huffington Post
macnn
EE Times