Apple announced major progress in decarbonization of its global supply chain, demonstrating an ongoing commitment to reduce carbon emissions and achieve carbon neutrality. Currently, more than 300 producers have joined the initiative to use 100% clean energy to produce Apple devices by 2030. More than 50 new suppliers in the United States, Europe and Asia are participating in Apple’s Supplier Clean Energy Program, now accounting for more than 90% of the company’s direct manufacturing expenses. So much so that even Mother Nature was impressed during the presentation event of the iPhone 15 and Apple Watch Series 9.
Apple announces a significant step towards carbon neutrality
Apple has chosen to tell its towards the ambitious goal of making all its products carbon neutral by 2030 in a different way. The actress Octavia Spencer played Mother Nature, asking pointed questions during a meeting between Tim Cook and other Apple executives. However, they left the meeting enthusiastic.
The company had already achieved carbon neutrality for its facilities and global business operations in 2020. But now it focuses on reducing emissions by 75% by the end of the decade. To achieve these goals, Apple has worked to close contact with global suppliers since 2015 per compensate for the electricity used in the production of its products. Manufacturing represents the largest source of emissions in its remaining carbon footprintso using 100% clean energy is crucial to achieve decarbonisation objectives.
Global partners for renewable energy
Companies coming from 28 countries have committed to providing over 20 gigawatts of renewable energy through Apple’s Supplier Clean Energy Program. This commitment is supported by new advanced manufacturing technology partners such as Skyworks Solutions, Analog Devices, Cirrus Logic in the United States and Renesas Electronics in Japan.
Also, the number of suppliers Koreans involved in the initiative has grown by 30% this year, reaching a total of 23. Also in Chinese, 14 new companies have committed to using clean energy, including Jingmen GEM, a supplier of recycled materials crucial to Apple products. In Europacompanies such as Sappi Limited, LeMur and Schoeller Textil AG have joined the initiative, bringing the total to 34 suppliers.
Concrete progress
Apple has monitored suppliers’ progress annually reduce carbon emissions in categories 1 and 2 and called for them to fully decarbonize the production of Apple products by 2030. In 2022, renewable electricity provided to Apple suppliers avoided 17.4 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions, equivalent to the removal of nearly 3.8 million of cars from the streets.
These results were achieved thanks to Apple’s support in identifying high-quality renewable energy sources. Numerous suppliers have extended decarbonization beyond Apple manufacturing.
Apple has demonstrated its commitment to the environment reducing total emissions by more than 45% since 2015, despite the growth of its business. The company continues to invest in innovative approaches to the environment, including low-carbon product design, recycling technologies, the Restore Fund and the issuance of green bonds totaling $4.7 billion.
Furthermore, the company today presented products made with recycled materials and clean energy, so much so that Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 are the first Apple products to be totally Carbon Neutral.
These efforts are a testament to Apple’s commitment to achieving decarbonization goals by 2030. To learn more about Apple’s environmental progress, you can visit apple.com/2030.