Google tops Greenpeace IT ranking, Apple shunned again

Greenpeace's has just released its 2012 Cool IT Leaderboard, with Google taking the top spot in the ranking technology firms' environmental efforts, seizing the crown from networking giant Cisco.

Google had climbed to the top of the table on the back of its high profile investment in renewable energy projects and its vocal support for US clean energy policy and EU efforts to increase the ambition of its climate change targets.

However, Greenpeace has again turned its fire on Apple, refusing to include the firm on the leaderboard on the grounds that it does not meet the ranking's criteria.

"[Apple] has not demonstrated leadership or elected to pursue market opportunities to drive IT energy solutions that many of its competitors have, despite record profits and large cash reserves," the campaign group said in a statement.

Facebook was also excluded from the list, but Greenpeace confirmed it would be included in next year's list after the social networking giant announced late last year that following a high profile campaign against the company's reliance on coal-fired power it would adopt a new policy to source renewable energy wherever possible.

Greenpeace International IT analyst Gary Cook said that the ranking of 21 global technology firms highlighted the crucial role IT firms can play in cutting global greenhouse gas emissions.

"The IT industry must use its influence, innovative spirit and technological know-how to overcome the dirty energy companies who are holding on to the status quo, and holding us back from a transition to a renewable energy economy", he said. "What we're seeing is a lot of talk from companies about moving toward clean energy, but so far, not much of action."