Apple quits US Chamber of Commerce in pro-Green protest

Apple is using its clout to force a change of attitude toward environmental matters at the highest levels of the US establishment, today announcing it intends pulling out of the US Chamber of Commerce because of that chamber’s “strident criticism of plans to reduce US greenhouse gas emissions”, reports The Washington Post.  (We’ve pasted the letter below)

It’s a serious protest at the Chamber’s ineffectiveness at accepting and acting on the dangers of climate change.

In a letter to the Chamber president, Apple VP, Catherine Novelli said: "Apple supports regulating greenhouse gas emissions, and it is frustrating to find the Chamber at odds with us in this effort." As a result, Novelli said, "we have decided to resign our membership effective immediately."

The Chamber has opposed legislation designed to reduce emissions. Apple is the fourth company to withdraw from the group in protest at its attitude to these matters. And Nike recently resigned its seat on the chamber board, but kept its membership.

These moves represent a serious rift between member companies of the Chamber and the association’s actions vis-a-vis climate change.

This is the latest in a series of high-profile moves on Apple’s part. Most recently the company set a new agenda for reporting of environmental consequences of CE production.

Apple updated the environment section of its website to address concerns about the lack of reporting of greenhouse gas emissions and other pollutants. 

Apple said then that it hopes to focus the public attention not only on the cost to the environment of making products but also to put a spotlight on how energy efficient and environmentally friendly products are in the long run. 

The new reporting cycle includes: Life Cycle Impact, Product Usage Impact, and Product Environmental Reports. There is also a new section section dedicated to  environmental updates which is both a news feed and a timeline of Apple’s history of environmental activity.

Publication of the report won praise from Greenpeace, who said, “Apple can justly pat itself on the back for listening to their customers who asked for greener gadgets.”

Clearly Apple has taken criticism of its environmental activities to heart, and is rapidly moving to help force the agenda forward with its latest move to quit the Chamber in protest at that group’s obfuscation on such matters.

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