An International Standard on Eco-rating:
The need for Consensus and Transparency
3rd ITU Green Standards Week
17 September, 2013
About BSR
Our mission: We work with business to create a just and sustainable world.
Our strategy: We develop sustainable business strategies and solutions
through consulting, research, and cross-sector collaboration with our global
network of nearly 300 member companies.
Consulting
Services
• Insights gained from our
research and collaborative
partnerships feed our
consulting work.
• Our real-world experience
working closely with member
companies informs our
research.
• Our cross-sector efforts build
on our extensive network of
members and stakeholders.
Membership
Network
Research
Cross-Sector
Collaboration
2
Why Green Phones?
Growing mobile phone use
Global mobile-cellular subscriptions,
total and per 100 inhabitants, 2001-2013
100
90
6000
80
Subscriptions (in millions)
5000
70
Per 100 inhabitants
60
4000
50
3000
40
Per 100 inhabitants
Mobile-celullar subscriptions (millions)
7000
30
2000
20
1000
10
0
0
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012* 2013*
Note: * Estimate
Source: ITU World Telecommunication /ICT Indicators database
4
Concerns about impacts
Environmental
degradation?
Working conditions?
Packaging waste?
Energy use?
User exposure?
Environmental
degradation?
Working conditions?
Conflict and human
rights?
Poor recycling rates?
Toxic releases?
Working conditions?
Based on U.S. EPA cell phone life cycle diagram
5
Actions from NGOs and regulators
6
New business opportunities
Regulatory readiness
Innovation creates
reduces risks and costs differentiation and market
advantage
Environmental attributes
contribute to the story a
company tells
consumers
Collaboration along the
value chain
7
Industry Responses
Flagship and demo devices create an ideal
Nokia “Remade”
Samsung “Blue Earth”
9
Rating systems and labeling can drive progress
Vodafone
O2
AT&T
10
Need for consensus and transparency
11
Over 1,000 labour codes of conduct
12
Around 438 eco-labels in 197 countries
13
How do we make progress?
From
To
• Competing standards and rating
systems
• Consensus standards and a
development roadmap
• Uncertain priorities and direction
• Understanding and
communication of real concerns
and interests
• Unclear capabilities for
advancement
• Disengaged consumers
• Effective competition and
collaboration among industry
players on green attributes
There is a need for industry and multi-stakeholder discussion to
clarify priorities and direction
14
Thank you.
Alice Valvodova, ICT Manager, BSR
avalvodova@bsr.org