Backround

A proposal filed by As You Sow and other shareholders asks Apple for a sustainability report describing corporate strategies on climate change, development of goals for greenhouse gas emissions reductions, and to do a better job discussing environmental and social impacts as well as employee and product safety. Apple is telling shareholders in its proxy that it “provides its customers and shareholders with an unmatched level of detail on environmental performance.” This is not the case. Apple has no formal corporate social responsibility report as do its peers such as Dell and Hewlett Packard. Apple provides some information on a limited number of environmental topics on its web site, but little to no information or goal-setting in several key areas where peer companies provide more complete reporting.

Key Elements Missing from Apple’s Public Disclosure

Environmental Issues

Greenhouse Gas Reduction Goals No disclosure of green house gas (GHG) reduction goals. Dell and HP provide multiple goals and substantial discussion of emission reduction efforts.

Environmental Product Design Goals Apple has not disclosed any goals; Dell has.

Energy Efficiency Goals Company provides no goals; Dell and HP provide multiple goals.

Packaging Reduction Goals Apple provides no goals; Dell sets multiple goals.

Other Corporate Social Responsibility Issues

Employee Safety Dell and HP disclose OSHA data on injury rates which many companies routinely report; Apple does not.

Privacy Apple is the world’s largest music retailer, selling music online. Its Safari browser is widely used on company products. There is no discussion of efforts being taken to protect user privacy. HP discusses privacy and sets privacy improvement goals.

Employee Engagement Minimal discussion of efforts; Dell and HP discuss in detail.

Philanthropy No discussion of corporate giving, a staple of most CSR reports. Dell and HP discuss in detail.

Bottom Line: Apple Needs to Step Up

Apple lacks a systematic approach to CSR and sustainability reporting. Send a message to Apple management that shareholders expect it to be THE industry leader on greenhouse gas reduction commitments and other key forward looking social responsibility goals.

Resources

For further information comparing public reporting by Apple, Dell, and HP click here.

View text of the proposal and the company’s response.

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