Apple publishes ‘2021 Environmental Progress Report’

Apple has published its 2021 Environmental Progress Report, detailing its progress in tackling its carbon emissions and commitment to helping preserve the planet. It offers details on the environmental/climate improvements the company has made over the past year. 

Lisa Jackson — Apple’s vice president of Environment, Policy, and Social Initiative — has this (and more) to say in an opening statement: Developing solutions to global challenges is never an easy journey, and it isn’t one that can be undertaken alone. In a year like no other, Apple has continued to work with a global network of colleagues, companies, and advocates to further our efforts to make our environmental work a force for good in people’s lives—and give the communities most impacted by climate change a seat at the table. As a result, this has been a year of progress powered by collaboration. As a company, we moved ahead with greater urgency than ever before to create a stronger, healthier future for our planet and her people. 

In 2020, that meant real progress in our fight against climate change. Apple became carbon neutral for our worldwide operations, and we committed to becoming carbon neutral by 2030 for our entire footprint—from our supply chain to the use of the products we make. Those same products now use more recycled materials than ever, like the 40 percent recycled content in the MacBook Air with Retina display, and the 99 percent recycled tungsten we now use in iPhone 12 and Apple Watch Series 6.

There’s an old saying that if you want to go fast, go alone.

If you want to go far, go together. Well this year we did both, setting ambitious goals for Apple while helping more than 100 of our suppliers commit to joining our journey to being carbon neutral. That progress was powered by our new renewable energy projects spanning the globe—from an award-winning, 180-acre solar project in Reno, Nevada, to two of the world’s largest onshore wind turbines in Denmark.

The report says Apple plans to reach neutrality by 2030 by (in the company’s words):
Designing for low carbon. We’re making products with more recycled materials and working to reduce the amount of energy these devices use.

° Increasing energy efficiency. We’re using energy more efficiently across retail stores, offices, data centers, and manufacturing sites.

° Using renewable energy. We’re committed to transitioning our entire manufacturing supply chain to 100% renewable electricity generated from solar, wind, and other renewable projects.

° Avoiding direct emissions. We’re innovating the processes in our facilities and supply chain to avoid greenhouse gas emissions.

° Investing in nature-based solutions. We’re investing in working forests and ecosystem restoration in ways that respect communities and remove carbon from the atmosphere.

By the way, Jackson has joined the TIME 2030 committee, which will “convene thinkers and leaders, introduce and interrogate new ideas, and report on people and organizations helping solve the world’s great challenges.”