Tech giant Apple has announced significant progress in its efforts to decarbonise its global supply chain. Over 300 manufacturers have committed to using 100 per cent clean energy for their Apple production by 2030.
More than 50 suppliers from the US, Europe, and Asia have recently joined this initiative, representing over 90 per cent of Apple’s direct manufacturing spend.
This move brings Apple closer to its goal of achieving carbon neutrality across all its products by 2030, setting an example for other companies and demonstrating the growing global momentum for clean energy adoption.
Sarah Chandler, Apple’s vice president of Environment and Supply Chain Innovation says, “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.
“At Apple, we’re proud that so many of our suppliers are taking action as we drive progress toward a carbon-neutral future,” adds Chandler.
Apple’s 2030 strategy
Apple has been carbon neutral in its global corporate operations since 2020 and is now aiming to reduce emissions by 75 per cent by 2030.
The company is working closely with its global suppliers, particularly in addressing the emissions from manufacturing, which is the largest source of its carbon footprint.
The goal is to power manufacturing with 100 per cent clean energy, making all Apple products, including the new Apple Watch lineup, carbon neutral. This strategy is aligned with science-based targets and underscores Apple’s commitment to environmental sustainability.
Suppliers from 28 countries are committing to bring over 20 gigawatts of renewable energy online through Apple’s Supplier Clean Energy Programme.
The partners include Skyworks Solutions, Analog Devices, Cirrus Logic, and more in the US, and Renesas Electronics in Japan. The number of participating Korean suppliers has grown nearly 30 per cent this year, to 23. In China, 14 more companies have pledged to use clean energy since April 2023, including Jingmen GEM, a supplier of key recycled material used in Apple products.
Across Europe, companies including Sappi Limited, LeMur, and Schoeller Textil AG have recently joined, bringing the total to 34 suppliers. This underscores the global momentum in adopting clean energy and sustainability practices in Apple’s supply chain.
Apple’s environmental efforts
In 2022, Apple pushed its suppliers to decarbonise their Apple production by 2030, and it tracked their progress in reducing emissions. The company’s supply chain had 13.7 gigawatts of renewable electricity, resulting in a reduction of 17.4 million metric tons of carbon emissions, equivalent to removing almost 3.8 million cars from the road.
Many suppliers, with Apple’s support, have also expanded their decarbonisation efforts beyond Apple-related operations.
Apple claims to have significantly reduced its emissions by more than 45 per cent since 2015, even with business growth, due to its environmental efforts.
The company continues to invest in innovative environmental approaches, including low-carbon product design, recycling technologies, the Restore Fund, and $4.7B in Green Bonds.
