Apple Aims to Be Carbon-Neutral by 2030 as 95% of 'Direct' Manufacturing Spend Transitions to Clean Energy

Apple has set ambitious environmental goals for 2030, aiming to make its entire supply chain carbon-neutral by that date.

Currently, more than 320 suppliers, representing 95% of the company's direct manufacturing spend, have transitioned to clean energy. This move is part of Apple's broader initiative to reduce its carbon footprint and combat climate change.

Carbon Neutrality in Apple's Operations

Since 2018, Apple's own operations have been 100% carbon neutral. The company's commitment extends beyond its internal operations to include its suppliers. With its main manufacturing hub located in China, where coal-fired plants are prevalent, transitioning to clean energy presents a significant challenge. However, the iPhone maker remains steadfast in its goal to achieve carbon neutrality throughout its supply chain by 2030.

Matching Clean Energy Usage

In addition to transitioning its supply chain to clean energy, Apple has pledged to match the total electricity used by customers to charge their Apple devices with clean energy.

Recognizing that electricity consumption constitutes a significant portion of its carbon footprint, Apple is urging its global suppliers to adopt clean energy practices and achieve carbon neutrality in all Apple-related operations.

Investment in Clean Energy Projects

To fulfill its commitment to offsetting the electricity used to charge Apple devices, the company is investing in various clean energy projects worldwide. In the United States, Apple is spearheading solar projects in Michigan, with plans to bring 132 megawatts of clean energy online. Similarly, in Spain, Apple has partnered with ib vogt to develop a solar power project that will generate 105 megawatts of solar energy upon completion by the end of 2024.

"Over 320 suppliers - representing 95 percent of Apple's direct manufacturing spend - have led the way in the transition so far, resulting in 16.5 gigawatts of renewable energy online in Apple's supply chain today. This generated over 25.5 million megawatt-hours of clean energy across the supply chain last year, avoiding over 18.5 million metric tons of carbon emissions," the tech giant said.

Water Conservation and Replenishment Efforts

Beyond clean energy initiatives, Apple is also focused on reducing water usage in its manufacturing processes and replenishing the water it consumes. The company has made significant strides in this area, aiming to replenish 100% of the fresh water used in its corporate operations in high-stress locations by 2030.

Through partnerships and initiatives, the company is working to restore aquifers and rivers, as well as provide access to clean drinking water. Moreover, Apple is extending its commitment to water conservation across its entire supply chain, resulting in substantial water savings since the launch of its Supplier Clean Water Program in 2013.

As part of its plans to achieve carbon-neutral goals by the next decade, Apple said that it's now using recycled materials for battery production and other clean-energy processes.

Apple added that it would use 100 percent recycled cobalt in producing new batteries.

Meanwhile, Apple's Tim Cook said that they would lessen carbon footprint through the use of artificial intelligence (AI) for climate action.