MANCHESTER, N.H. - April 22, 2009 - A new Climate Counts Earth Day scorecard shows that child equipment and toy manufacturers are, by and large, ignoring their own impact on climate change. Climate Counts found that the sector as a whole received the lowest scores of any of the 13 sectors yet scored by Climate Counts-none of the 13 largest companies in the sector scored higher than 40 (out of 100), and eight companies scored zero. The scorecard gives all consumers concerned with the climate crisis and a safe future for children the ability to make informed purchasing decisions. Hasbro led the sector by a significant margin, scoring 40 points.

"This Earth Day we must remember the responsibility we have to our children to deal seriously with climate change. Car seats, toys, strollers, and other child products are about keeping our children safe-and the climate crisis represents a toxic threat to our children's future. Now, parents have the information they need to know if these companies share their values for building a safe climate future for their children," said Wood Turner, Climate Counts Executive Director.

Climate Counts scored 13 of the top toy and equipment companies (by revenue) on their actions to address climate change. The companies are scored on a 0-to-100 point scale based on 22 criteria that measure companies' efforts to assess their own climate footprint, reduce their emissions, support (or block) progress on major climate legislation, and communicate their efforts clearly and comprehensively to consumers.

Key findings include:

• Hasbro was the clear sector leader, scoring 40 points-more than double the score of its next closest competitor, Mattel, which received 18.
  
• Only three other companies scored any points at all.
  • The Lego Group received a score of 13
    
  • Newell Rubbermaid, makers of Graco products, scored four points
    
  • Dorel Industries, makers of InStep and Safety First products, scored two points.
• Eight companies scored zero: JAKKS Pacific, Inc.; MEGA Brands; Playmates Holdings Limited; Chicco Espanola S.A., makers of Chicco products; Evenflo; Chelsea & Scott Ltd., owner of brands One Step Ahead and Leaps and Bounds; Britax ROeMER Kindersicherheit GmbH, makers of Britax brand equipment; and, Peg Perego.

"This is our first ranking of this sector and frankly, we were surprised at how far behind they are. The climate crisis poses a threat to our children's future-it is our children and their children who will suffer from the most serious climate impacts. We know this is an issue parents are concerned about-and we are confident that these companies can show real improvement," said Turner.

The Climate Counts Company Scorecard was developed with oversight from a panel of business and climate experts from leading non-governmental organizations and academic institutions. Criteria were chosen for their effectiveness at accomplishing a single goal - solving the global climate crisis. Since 2007, Climate Counts researchers have used these criteria to now rate the climate actions of 106 companies (representing approximately 3,000 brands) in 13 industry sectors. Companies were given the opportunity to confirm or provide public data sources. The full report and information on all of the 106 scored companies is available at www.climatecounts.org. Updated scores for previously reviewed sectors will be released later this year.

About Climate Counts
Climate Counts is a non-profit organization bringing consumers and companies together in the fight against global climate change. It was launched with financial support from organics pioneer Stonyfield Farm. Please visit www.climatecounts.org for the full scores and more information.

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