Apple’s commitment to the environment takes place on multiple levels: for hardware, with devices equipped with processors that consume less and made with recycled and in turn recyclable metals. For platforms, such as Apple Music and iCloud, based on highly efficient infrastructures powered by renewable energy. Apple stores and offices around the world have also been using only clean energy for years. The green commitment of Tim Cook’s company also extends to suppliers, who must comply with strict zero emission standards. Not for nothing, two years ago, Tim Cook spoke of Apple’s hopes of being “a wave in the pond that creates far greater change,” and the growing number of suppliers shows that the ripples continue to spread and produce change, year after year.
Today, Apple announced today that its suppliers have more than doubled their use of clean energy in the past year, with more than 10 gigawatts out of a total of nearly 16 gigawatts, representing the commitment for the next few years. In 2021, these renewable projects avoided the emission of 13.9 million tons of carbon emissions. According to Cupertino, projects active today will support greenhouse gas reductions equivalent to removing 3 million cars from the road in one year.
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Suppliers have tripled in two years – from 70 in 2020 to 213 this year, who have pledged to power all Apple production with renewable electricity in 25 countries. The dozens of new commitments announced today help accelerate progress towards Apple’s 2030 goal of becoming carbon neutral across its supply chain. From 2020 Apple is already carbon neutral in all its facilities worldwide.
“We are proud that so many of our supply chain partners share our urgency to address the climate crisis by committing to generate more renewable energy around the world,” said Lisa Jackson, vice president of Environment, Policy, and Social Initiatives. from Apple. “Clean energy is good for businesses and the planet. By sharing what we have learned ourselves in our transition to renewable energy, we are helping pave the way to a greener future.”
The commitment of suppliers and global energy projects
In addition to the clean energy commitments made by manufacturing partners, Apple is investing directly in renewable projects around the world, including nearly 500 megawatts of solar and wind projects in China and Japan to cover some of the upstream emissions. In Europe, 11 new suppliers have confirmed their commitment to clean energy over the past year, including Infineon, Viscom AG and Lumileds, bringing the total to 25 companies. They are implementing a number of clean energy solutions; Infineon for example uses solar energy on site in Germany and Austria, while DSM Engineering Materials supports a wind project in the Netherlands. Apple has already supported two Danish renewable energy projects, including a large solar park near Thisted and a wind farm near Esjberg; both power Apple’s datacenter in Denmark.
In the United States, Tim Cook’s company is investing directly in a more than 930-acre IP Radian Solar project in Texas. Once completed this year, the project will generate 300 megawatts of electricity. Apple made this investment to help make up for Apple customers’ use of electricity to charge their devices, which accounts for 22 percent of the company’s gross environmental footprint.
Apple’s suppliers in the US also continue their commitment to clean energy, with new commitments from DuPont, Micron Technology, Solvay and Corning.
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In China, 23 new suppliers have joined the program in the past year. Almost all major suppliers have pledged to use clean energy for Apple production, and many have built solar plants on site, thus supporting the country’s transition to renewable energy.
In Japan, twenty new suppliers have pledged to produce clean energy in the past year, including Kioxia and Sharp. Nitto Denko and several other Apple suppliers have invested in solar power on site, and Keiwa is covering its consumption of Apple’s supply with power from a wind project located outside Tokyo.
In South Korea, LG Display and Samsung SDI are committed to using clean energy for all Apple manufacturing. 13 Korean suppliers have made a commitment to use clean energy.
In markets where suppliers face particular challenges to access affordable clean energy, Apple works with its partners to break down barriers through innovation and commitment to environmental policies.
The impact of clean energy in the community
Apple continues to make progress towards carbon neutrality across its global supply chain, and is also committed to supporting the communities most affected by climate change. With its Power for Impact program, Apple provides local communities around the world with scarce resources access to renewable energy, while supporting economic growth and social impact.
Currently, solar projects in Colombia, the Philippines and South Africa are providing affordable, reliable sources of electricity to communities facing major energy challenges. Apple continues to expand the program to other parts of the world, including Israel, Nigeria, Thailand and Vietnam. These projects bring jobs to communities and save on energy sums that can be reinvested in communities to support economic growth, education, health and other social initiatives.
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