By Sun Xiaohua (China Daily)
Updated: 2007-12-10 13:33

He attributed the situation to the pursuit of profits, but said weak law enforcement and supervision have left loopholes that invite violations.

Environmental group Greenpeace has built its own database and undertakes long-term monitoring of MNCs in China.

Greenpeace focuses not on water pollution, but on toxic and hazardous electronic waste disposal, monitoring genetically engineered food and protection of ancient forests.

The world-famous green group last month released the sixth edition of Greenpeace International's Guide to Greener Electronics.

The sixth edition was expanded to include televisions and game consoles.

Market leaders Microsoft and Nintendo are at the bottom of rankings on environmental performance.

The new edition of the quarterly guide shows important changes for the best performing companies. Sony Ericsson has taken over the No 1 spot from Nokia while Samsung and Sony have risen to now occupy second and third positions.

Motorola and Nokia both received penalty points for corporate misbehavior over poor implementation of product take-back programs in the Philippines, Thailand, Argentina, Russia and India.

Although the evaluation did not include China, local branches of electronic MNCs on the list should be aware that next evaluation will include China, a huge electronics consuming country.

"Companies shouldn't be under any illusions that we won't check up on their claims of green greatness," warns Iza Kruszewska, toxics campaigner at Greenpeace International.

The group does have lists of MNCs that have poor performance in China due to using genetically engineered food or failure to protect ancient forests.

The environmental NGO says that compiling and spreading such lists help consumers make green choices in shopping.

Twenty-one domestic environmental groups called on the public to celebrate World Water Day 2007, which fell on March 22, by boycotting products from companies that cause pollution.

"We would like to ask China's vast consumer population to think about how companies behave with regard to the environment and to let those considerations influence their buying patterns, putting pressure on enterprises that cause pollution to change their ways," Ma said on that day.

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