Sustainability Reporting

2010 – Apple Computer, Inc.

 

 

WHEREAS: Investors increasingly seek disclosure of companies’ social and environmental practices in the belief that they impact shareholder value. Many investors believe companies that are good employers, environmental stewards, and corporate citizens are more likely to generate stronger financial returns, better respond to emerging issues, and enjoy long-term business success.

 

Mainstream financial companies are also increasingly recognizing the links between sustainability performance and shareholder value. Information from corporations on their greenhouse gas emissions is essential to investors as they assess the strengths of corporate securities in the context of climate change.

 

Globally, over 2,700 companies issued reports on sustainability issues in 2007 (www.corporateregister.com).  Among our industry peers, Dell, IBM, and Hewlett-Packard have taken leadership roles in these areas through publication of comprehensive sustainability reports that address their company’s impacts with regards to issues such as greenhouse gas emissions reduction, toxics, and supply chain working conditions. These companies have provided detailed assessments of greenhouse gas emission exposure and made reduction commitments. Apple, however, lags behind global industry peers on sustainability reporting. It has released some product specific information on greenhouse gas emissions but its usefulness is limited as nearly all other companies use aggregate emission estimates. Apple has not made public greenhouse gas reduction commitments. 

 

The information and communication technologies sector is estimated to contribute between 2-3% of total greenhouse gas emissions.  As the industry continues to develop globally, this is set to increase further. Given the industry’s large social and environmental footprint, we feel it is imperative that Apple develop clear policies and programs that address the impacts of its operations on the environment and on society.

 

RESOLVED: Shareholders request that the Board of Directors prepare a sustainability report describing corporate strategies regarding climate change, specifically to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and address other environmental and social impacts such as toxics, recycling and employee and product safety. The report, prepared at reasonable cost and omitting proprietary information, should be published by July 2010. 

 

Supporting Statement: The report should include the company’s definition of sustainability and a company-wide review of policies, practices, and metrics related to long-term social and environmental sustainability.  Taking early action to calculate emissions in a manner similar to peers and making emission reduction commitments could provide competitive advantage, while inaction risks exposing the company to regulatory and litigation risk and reputational damage.

 

We recommend that Apple use Global Reporting Initiative’s (GRI) Sustainability Reporting Guidelines to prepare the sustainability report and use the Carbon Disclosure Project as a means to specifically report on greenhouse gas emissions and reduction efforts. The GRI is an international organization developed with representatives from the business, environmental, human rights and labor communities. GRI guidelines provide guidance on report content, including performance on direct economic impacts, environmental, labor practices, and decent work conditions, human rights, society, and product responsibility. The guidelines provide a flexible reporting system that allows omission of content not relevant to company operations.