Apple has called on its global supply chain partners to take assertive steps towards decarbonization and address greenhouse gas emissions.

The company plans to evaluate the initiatives of its major manufacturing partners to decarbonize their Apple-related operations, including running on 100% renewable electricity and tracking the yearly progress.

The mobile phone manufacturer announced multiple initiatives like investments in European renewable energy projects, business partnerships to support the shift to clean energy, and implementing projects that advance global carbon removal and community-driven solutions.

Apple claims that more than 200 suppliers representing more than 70% of Apple’s direct manufacturing spend, have already committed to using clean power like wind or solar for all of Apple’s production.

Apple’s CEO Tim Cook said, “Fighting climate change remains one of Apple’s most urgent priorities and moments like this put action to those words.”

“We’re looking forward to continued partnership with our suppliers to make Apple’s supply chain carbon neutral by 2030. Climate action at Apple doesn’t stop at our doors, and in this work, we’re determined to be a ripple in the pond that creates a bigger change,” he added.

Renewables to Power Apple Devices

Apple claims to have sourced renewable energy to power all its corporate offices, retail stores, and data centers in 44 countries since 2018, and its suppliers have helped bring more than 10 GW of clean power online worldwide. To further this, Apple plans to facilitate the construction of large-scale solar and wind projects in Europe, with projects ranging between 30 and 300 MW.

The company aims to procure enough renewable energy to power all Apple devices on the continent with low-carbon electricity in the coming years. The planned investments by the company are expected to add 3,000 GWh per year of new renewable energy to the grid.

The European investments are part of the company’s larger strategy to address approximately 22% of its carbon footprint from the electricity customers use to charge their devices. Earlier this year, the company announced new renewable energy projects in the United States and Australia designed to address customer product use.

To help suppliers meet their commitments and go even further, Apple offers free e-learning resources and live training through its Clean Energy Program. It will work closely with its suppliers and local partners to identify effective renewable energy and carbon removal solutions.

Carbon Removal Initiative

Apple announced three new projects through its Restore Fund, a carbon removal initiative that intends to generate a financial return while also removing CO2 from the atmosphere. The company partnered with Conservation International and Goldman Sachs to invest 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. The projects are likely to remove 1 million metric tons of CO2 by 2025

To ensure accurate monitoring, reporting, and verification of the projects’ carbon removal impact, Apple is working with partners to analyze satellite imagery and deploy innovative remote sensing technologies.

As Apple intends to reduce emissions by 75% by 2030, the company prioritizes high-quality nature-based solutions for the 25% of remaining emissions that are unavoidable with existing technologies.

Last November, Apple announced it has more than doubled the number of suppliers committed to using 100% clean energy over the last year.

As corporates across the globe evaluate their shift to renewables, Mercom India is hosting a series of Clean Energy Meets across the country to help the commercial and industrial segment make a more informed, data-driven decision to transition to clean energy with the help of industry experts.