Has “the carbon footprint” proven to be an effective tool for Intel?
“We know our operational footprint down to the tenth of a pound,” Stangis said. But the problem, he explained, is that Intel’s operational energy costs account for only 20 percent of the energy of all of their products and services. The other 80 percent is in the customer’s hands. But Stangis admits the carbon footprint is an imperfect tool. “We’ve had some discussions internally about how we could make new metrics that you or I could understand.” He added, “It won’t be long. They’re already labeling in the EU. And EnergyStar is a start. What you’re going to see is companies coming up with their own labeling schemes.” What is Intel doing to combat e-waste? “We’re a leading partner in eBay’s Rethink Initiative,” Stangis pointed out, referring to the online auctioneer’s forum for industry, government and environmental organizations to work together on e-waste. But on the manufacturing side Intel is also pushing down energy costs. “We had to thin down our chips for the Apple Air,” he said
