After Amazon and Microsoft, Apple also announces its plan for sustainability. Objective: to achieve zero emissions at every level of the company, of the supply chain and of the product life cycle by 2030. 20 years ahead of the United Nations climate targets.
“By committing ourselves to becoming a zero-impact company, we hope to give a signal capable of large-scale change,” said CEO Tim Cook announcing the plan. “Businesses have a great opportunity to contribute to building a more sustainable future by leveraging our common concern for the planet we live on.” A planet that “can’t wait,” Cook pointed out in a tweet. “The fight against climate change can lay the foundations for a new era of innovation, job opportunities and lasting economic growth”.
The Cupertino giant has already achieved zero impact for its offices around the world. Now he plans to clear his entire ecological footprint. He shared the details of his green plan online, so that other companies can follow suit. In the Environmental Progress Report 2020, released yesterday, Apple specifies that by 2030 it will reduce its emissions by 75%. And, to compensate for the remaining percentage, it will develop “innovative solutions for the removal of greenhouse gases”. The plan includes various strategies, from solar panels for clean energy to recycled materials for products.
Photovoltaics, recycling, reforestation: Cupertino’s solutions for the environment
The company will increase the use of recycled materials with low greenhouse gas emissions. It will aim for greater efficiency of products in terms of consumption and will invest in recycling processes. In this regard, the most recent innovation is the Dave robot, which disassembles the Taptic Engine of iPhones to recover steel, tungsten and other reusable materials.
Apple has also helped develop a method of producing aluminum that releases oxygen instead of greenhouse gases during smelting. And to reduce greenhouse gases, it will continue to invest in greenery: yesterday it announced the creation of a fund that will help restore and protect natural forests and ecosystems.
apple sustainability Cupertino’s challenge is also to help the supply chain reduce consumption. It will invest in energy efficiency projects for its suppliers and in redevelopment of new and existing buildings. Apple’s offices and data centers are already powered by 100% renewable energy. The photovoltaic systems built by the company in the United States also meet the needs of communities and other businesses. The same will happen in Europe and Asia, where Apple is setting up a large plant in Scandinavia and two new projects in Finland and Thailand.
“The innovations have enabled us to create more energy efficient products and to make new sources of clean energy available around the world,” said Cook.
In addition, Apple launched the Impact Accelerator yesterday, to invest in minority-owned companies that drive positive changes in the supply chain. “Systemic racism and climate change are not separate problems, and they do not allow for separate solutions,” said Lisa Jackson, VP of Environment, Policy and Social Initiatives. “We have the opportunity to help create a greener and fairer economy.”