GEC Climate+ Pledge
Climate change is a global crisis demanding immediate attention due to its threats to our planet, societies, and economies. The Global Electronics Council® (GEC) Climate+TM Pledge seeks to harness the purchasing power of organizations committed to tracking and reducing their carbon footprint associated with electronic products.
The pledge brings together the leadership and influence of these organizations to reduce the climate impacts of electronic products. By signing this pledge, participants become integral members of a thriving community of climate leaders and advocates.
Types of GEC Climate+ Pledge Signatories
Understanding that organizations contribute in different ways, the pledge consists of two primary groups of signatories. Each signatory type commits to a unique set of targets and annual reporting requirements:
EPEAT Climate+ Purchasing Leader
Organizations Committed to Purchasing EPEAT Climate+ Products
This group will comprise organizations that pledge to prioritize procuring and promoting EPEAT Climate+ designated products for their technology needs. These organizations will commit to managing their carbon footprint by selecting products that meet EPEAT’s progressive criteria. Organizations that sign the pledge will be recognized as EPEAT Climate+ Purchasing Leaders.
EPEAT Climate+ Purchasing Advocate
Organizations and Individuals Advocating and Promoting EPEAT Climate+ Products
This group will comprise organizations and individuals who advocate for and promote EPEAT Climate+ designated products within their communities, industries, and networks. They will actively raise awareness about the importance of choosing climate-conscious electronic products and contribute to making responsible technology acquisition easier for purchasing organizations. Organizations that sign the pledge will be recognized as EPEAT Climate+ Purchasing Advocates.
Goals of the GEC Climate+ Pledge
Carbon Reduction
Signatory organizations will work towards reducing their carbon footprint by choosing energy-efficient electronic products with public and third-party verified product greenhouse gas (GHG) disclosures.
Advocacy and Awareness
Signatory organizations will engage in advocacy efforts to promote the adoption of EPEAT Climate+ designated products among their stakeholders and peers.
Climate+ Purchasing Leaders Set the Following Targets:
Require EPEAT registered products in contracts and/or purchasing policies. *†
Show a preference for EPEAT registered products with the Climate+ designation in purchasing guidance. *†
Annually quantify energy use savings and carbon reductions from the purchase of EPEAT registered products with the Climate+ designation by using the EPEAT benefits calculator.
Climate+ Purchasing Advocates Set the Following Targets:
Actively advocate for EPEAT Climate+ designated products within their sectors and professional communities.
Educate other in their sector or organization about the environmental benefits of EPEAT Climate+ designated products.
Participate in collaborative initiatives and campaigns to promote climate-friendly electronics.
* Within six months of the pledge commitment date.
† Where EPEAT and EPEAT Climate+ product categories and registered products are available.
Climate+ Purchasing Leader Annual Reporting Commitments:
Calculate the carbon emissions reduction achieved by purchasing EPEAT registered products using the EPEAT benefits calculator. Report to GEC annually.
Assess and report on the reduction in energy costs by purchasing EPEAT registered products using the EPEAT benefits calculator. Report to GEC annually.
Increase in the adoption of EPEAT Climate+ designated products. Report goals and outcomes to GEC annually.
Climate+ Purchasing Advocate Annual Reporting Commitments:
Establish or adapt existing purchasing guidance highlighting the benefits and importance of electronics with reduced climate impacts, with specific reference to Climate+ designated products within six months of signing the pledge. Send a copy of the guidance to GEC.
Engage in two or more community, industry or network events to promote EPEAT Climate+ and sustainable purchasing. Provide GEC with a summary of these activities annually.
Collaborate with two or more organizations or entities on EPEAT advocacy projects or initiatives. Provide GEC with a summary of these activities annually.
GEC takes privacy and data security seriously. GEC will only publicize your annual spending report or other information disclosed with prior approval. GEC may share purchasers’ data in anonymized and aggregated form, meaning that all identifying information has been removed so that individual data or information of a signatory cannot be associated with that individual or entity without extraordinary effort. This helps GEC better understand trends and patterns while safeguarding the privacy of pledge participants.
Climate+ Purchasing Leader Benefits:
Climate+ Purchasing Advocate Benefits:
Sign the GEC Climate+ Pledge
Have questions about the pledge? Please reach out to us directly at info@gec.org.
GEC Climate+ Pledge Frequently Asked Questions
Is their a deadline to make a pledge?
Currently, no. Commitments are being accepted on a rolling basis.
How are Climate+ Purchasing Leader expected to report on their purchasing?
Climate+ Purchasing Leader are obligated to submit annual purchasing data to GEC regarding their voluntary pledge. Organizations will email their annual purchasing data on EPEAT registered products to info@gec.org to receive recognition for their achievements.
Will there be meetings or events for organizations that have signed the pledge?
Yes. Special events are planned annually (in-person or virtually) for pledge signatories to promote best practices, share success stories, and network. Participation is voluntary, but generally will not count towards the requirements for Climate+ Purchasing Advocates. Learn more about events and resources at gec.org.
How is EPEAT Climate+ different from EPEAT Gold, Silver, and Bronze?
EPEAT Climate+ is a designation that EPEAT registered products can achieve by meeting requirements related to EPEAT Climate Criteria. This is in addition to the EPEAT Gold, Silver, and Bronze tier levels.
EPEAT tier levels represent how participating brands are further innovating in areas of sustainability leadership. They are based on the existing EPEAT criteria which address the full range of lifecycle impacts across key impact areas – climate change mitigation, chemicals of concern, responsible supply chain sourcing, and circularity (sustainable use of resources). Each tier indicates the product has proven conformance with all required existing EPEAT criteria plus a specified percentage of optional existing criteria for the product type.
- EPEAT Gold with Climate+: Designation that indicates the product has achieved the EPEAT Gold tier and proven conformance with all required EPEAT Climate Criteria. (EPEAT Gold indicates the product has proven conformance with all required EPEAT criteria plus at least 75% of points available from optional EPEAT criteria for the product type).
- EPEAT Silver with Climate+: Designation that indicates the product has achieved the EPEAT Silver tier and proven conformance with all required EPEAT Climate Criteria. (EPEAT Silver indicates the product has proven conformance with all required EPEAT criteria plus at least 50% of points available from optional EPEAT criteria for the product type.)
- EPEAT Bronze with Climate+: Designation that indicates the product has achieved the EPEAT Bronze tier and proven conformance with all required EPEAT Climate Criteria (EPEAT Bronze indicates the product has proven conformance with all required EPEAT criteria plus up to 50% of points available from optional existing EPEAT criteria for the product type).
The EPEAT Climate+ designation indicates that a participating brand meets and has proven conformance with the following EPEAT Climate Criteria:
- Product carbon footprint disclosure and assurance (Climate Criteria 4.1.1)
- Corporate GHG inventory (Climate Criteria 4.1.2)
- Manufacturer GHG reduction target aligned with climate science (Climate Criteria 4.2.1)
- Communication of energy management requirements for key component facilities (Climate Criteria 4.3.1)
- Manufacturer use of renewable electricity (Climate Criteria 4.4.1)
- Conformance with applicable ENERGY STAR product eligibility criteria (Climate Criteria 4.6.1)
- External power supply energy efficiency (Climate Criteria 4.6.2)
- Battery charger system energy efficiency (Climate Criteria 4.6.3)
