Tech-giant Apple has called on its global supply chain to take new steps to address their greenhouse gas emissions and take a comprehensive approach to decarbonisation. The company will evaluate the work of its major manufacturing partners to decarbonise their Apple-related operations — including running on 100 per cent renewable electricity — and will track yearly progress.
Apple says that it has been carbon neutral for its global corporate operations since 2020, and is laser-focused on its ambitious goal to become carbon neutral across its entire global supply chain and the life cycle of every product.
As the impacts of climate change are increasingly felt around the world, Apple also announced new initiatives and investments aimed at helping decarbonise the global economy and promote innovative climate solutions for communities. These include significant investments in renewable energy in Europe, partnerships to support businesses transitioning to clean energy, and new support for projects that advance natural carbon removal and community-driven climate solutions around the world.
“Fighting climate change remains one of Apple’s most urgent priorities, and moments like this put action to those words,” said Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO. “We are looking forward to continued partnership with our suppliers to make Apple’s supply chain carbon neutral by 2030. Climate action at Apple does not stop at our doors, and in this work, we are determined to be a ripple in the pond that creates a bigger change.”
As part of Apple’s supplier engagement, the company is partnering with its worldwide supply chain to urge accelerated action to achieve carbon neutrality for their Apple-related corporate operations. The company requires reporting on progress toward these goals — specifically Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions reductions related to Apple production — and will track and audit annual progress. Apple will partner with suppliers that are working with urgency and making measurable progress toward decarbonisation.
Additionally, Apple is encouraging suppliers to address the greenhouse gas emissions beyond their Apple production, prioritising clean energy. As part of the company’s work to achieve its 2030 goal, Apple has reduced its emissions by 40 per cent since 2015, largely through improvements in energy efficiency, low-carbon design, becoming carbon neutral for corporate operations, and transitioning its supply chain to renewable electricity.
More than 200 suppliers representing more than 70 per cent of Apple’s direct manufacturing spend have already committed to using clean power like wind or solar for all Apple production. Major manufacturing partners — including Corning Incorporated, Nitto Denko Corporation, SK hynix, STMicroelectronics, TSMC, and Yuto — have committed to power all Apple production with 100 per cent renewable energy.
Apple have also announced three new projects through the Restore Fund, a first-of-its-kind carbon removal initiative that aims to generate a financial return while removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. In partnership with Conservation International and Goldman Sachs, Apple has invested with three high-quality forestry managers in Brazil and Paraguay to restore 150,000 acres of sustainably certified working forests and protect around 100,000 acres of native forests, grasslands, and wetlands.
Together, these initial forestry projects are forecast to remove one million metric tons of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere in 2025. To ensure accurate monitoring, reporting, and verification of the projects’ carbon removal impact, Apple is working with partners to analyse satellite imagery and deploy innovative remote sensing technologies.