Apple announced extensive progress to decarbonize its global supply chain, with more than 300 manufacturers now committing to power 100% clean energy for Apple product manufacturing by 2023. New commitments from more than 50 suppliers in the US, Europe, and Asia fuel recent growth in Apple’s Supplier Clean Energy Program, which accounts for more than 90% of Apple’s direct manufacturing costs. This milestone brings Apple closer to its ambitious goal of carbon neutrality for all of its products by 2030.
“After record-breaking temperatures and devastating storms, we all have a responsibility to take immediate steps to reduce emissions and prevent the worst impacts of climate change,” said Sarah Chandler, Apple’s vice president of Environment and Supply Chain Innovation. “At Apple, we are proud that many of our suppliers are taking action as Apple accelerates progress toward a carbon-neutral future.”
Apple has been carbon neutral across its global operations since 2020, and its 2030 strategy is focused on a science-based goal of reducing emissions by 75% by the end of the decade. Since 2015, Apple has worked closely with its global partners and suppliers to adjust the amount of electricity used to manufacture Apple products. Manufacturing is the largest contributor to the company’s carbon footprint, and using 100% clean energy for its operations is a key driver of carbon neutrality for Apple products — like the new Apple Watch line.
Suppliers operating in 28 countries have committed to bringing more than 20 gigawatts of renewable energy online through the Apple Supplier Clean Power Program. New commitments in advanced manufacturing technology include Skyworks Solutions, Analog Devices, Cirrus Logic and others in the U.S., as well as Renesas Electronics in Japan. The number of Korean suppliers participating in the program has increased by nearly 30% this year, to 23. In China, more than 14 companies have committed to using clean energy by April 2023, including Jingmen GEM, a key supplier of recycled materials used in Apple products. Across Europe, companies such as Sappi Limited, LeMur and Schoeller Textil AG have recently joined the program, bringing the total number of suppliers to 34.
Apple has been tracking supplier progress in reducing Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions. In the fall of 2022, Apple called on suppliers to decarbonize the manufacturing of Apple products by 2030. In 2022, 13.7 gigawatts of renewable electricity used in Apple’s supply chain saved 17.4 million metric tons of carbon emissions—the equivalent of removing nearly 3.8 million cars from the road. With Apple’s support in identifying high-quality renewable energy sources, many suppliers have chosen to decarbonize their non-Apple product manufacturing operations.
Apple’s environmental efforts have reduced its overall emissions by more than 45% since 2015, even as its business has expanded. Apple continues to invest in innovation in its approach to the environment — including carbon-neutral product design and new recycling technologies, the Apple Recovery Fund, and $4.7 billion in Green Bonds. Learn more about Apple’s environmental progress at
apple.com/us/2030.
Source apple.com
