Apple commits its suppliers in nearly 30 countries to meet its carbon-neutral goal

Each announcement at Apple’s Wonderlust event was accompanied by different efforts the company is making to reduce its environmental impact. The technology company announced today that 50 more suppliers in the US, Europe and Asia have joined its Clean Energy program. There are already more than 300 manufacturers in 28 countries who will help you keep the word you made three years ago: reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 100% by 2030.

“Nothing is more important than keeping people alive”said Tim Cook, the company’s CEO, ahead of the presentation of the new Apple Watch Series 9, Apple Watch Ultra 2 and iPhone 15. The idea of ​​carbon neutrality is an offsetting measure: the principle is to remove the same amount of carbon from the atmosphere, the polluting gases emitted as a result of certain activities. And Apple knows it’s a big polluter.

A company liability report published in 2018 acknowledged that the production of a single iPhone could generate up to 79 kilograms of carbon dioxide. For this reason, in 2020, Apple unveiled a plan that would have every Apple device sold have a net-zero climate impact by 2030 at the latest. This means “decarbonizing” the entire global supply chain.

“As we experience record temperatures and devastating storms, we all have an urgent responsibility to reduce emissions and protect against the worst impacts of climate change,” said Sarah Chandler, Apple’s vice president of Environment and Supply Chain Innovation.

New Apple Products Meet Carbon Neutral Goal

A group of suppliers operating in 28 countries has committed to bringing more than 20 gigawatts of renewable energy through the Clean Energy Program. New partners include Skyworks Solutions, Analog Devices, Cirrus Logic, Japan’s Renesas Electronics and China’s Jingmen GEM, a supplier of key recycled materials used in Apple products. Across Europe, 34 Apple manufacturers are already committed to becoming carbon neutral.

Cupertino representatives celebrated the launch today its first carbon-neutral products in the new Apple Watch line. Any aluminum Series 9 or SE model is carbon neutral when combined with the new Sport Loop system. This means the product is manufactured and used using 100% green electricity, 30% recycled or renewable materials by weight, and 50% airfreight-free shipping.

Apple also announced that none of its products will henceforth use leather due to its environmental impact. He explained, for example, that he would use a material known as FineWoven for his Apple Watch straps and the new iPhone 15 cases.

“At Apple, we’re proud that many of our suppliers are taking action as we move toward a carbon-neutral future,” Chandler said during the broadcast. keynote address.

The company also introduced a new tool in the Home app called Grid Forecast.. It is designed to inform users that cleaner energy is available on their electrical grid.

Apple wants big tech companies to report their carbon footprints

Apple also wants to influence the entire industry. The company supports a California Senate bill that would require large companies report greenhouse gas levels which they throw away every year.

“Throughout our environmental journey, we have emphasized the importance of measurement and reporting to help us understand our impact,” said the letter, signed by Apple’s Director of State and Local Government Affairs D. Michael Foulkes. The document was published last week by Senator Scott Wiener on the website X, formerly known as Twitter.

The bill would require Accountability to public and private companies with annual revenues exceeding one billion dollars who do business in California. The goal is for them to provide independently verified data on pollutant gas emissions. “Thank you, Apple, for making it clear that this is doable and a critical measure to combat climate change,” Wiener wrote.

Leader in Environmental Awareness

Apple has already reduced its total emissions up more than 45% since 2015. The company also promoted initiatives such as green bonds, through which Apple financed clean energy projects. He invested almost $4.7 billion.

Apple also began building large-scale solar and wind farms to power its data centers and offices more than a decade ago. Since 2018, all of its corporate offices, data centers and retail stores around the world are powered by renewable energy.

In 2007, Greenpeace condemned Apple for using toxic and polluting materials. Then, for example, he wondered whether the iPhone battery was glued and soldered to the phone. This prevented replacement and made recycling difficult. Over the years, the organization has recognized Apple’s environmental initiatives several times. In 2017, it was recognized as one of the most environmentally conscious companies.

Apple produced an equivalent 20.6 million tons of carbon dioxide in 2022, according to its latest report on the matter. This is a number that is expected to reach zero by 2030. Oscar winner Octavia Spencer played Mother Nature in the skit that Apple streamed at the event today. After the company flaunted all its achievements, Octavia declared: “Don’t let mom down.” They know there is still a lot to be done.