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Apple Shows Progress in Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions
In an impressive move towards sustainability, Apple reported a reduction of 800,000 metric tons in its planet-heating emissions last year, marking a significant 5 percent decline. Over the past decade, the tech giant has achieved a remarkable over 60 percent decrease in global greenhouse gas emissions, positioning itself as a leader in corporate environmental responsibility even as the technology sector grapples with rising emissions due to the ongoing AI arms race.
Key Strategies for Emission Reduction
Apple’s approach to combating climate change involves several strategic initiatives. Key elements include the procurement of renewable energy, sustainable product design, and collaboration with suppliers to enhance environmental practices. In 2024, the company’s suppliers reportedly avoided nearly 24 million metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions by investing in renewable energy and improving energy efficiency.
Challenges with Fluorinated Greenhouse Gases
In addition to carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuel use, Apple faces challenges stemming from potent fluorinated greenhouse gases (F-GHGs) produced during the manufacturing of semiconductors and flat-panel displays. In response, the company announced that all direct display suppliers have pledged to significantly reduce F-GHG emissions by at least 90 percent. Furthermore, 26 semiconductor suppliers have joined this commitment, although the specific impact on Apple’s overall chip supply chain remains unspecified.
Increasing Use of Recycled Materials
Apple also made strides in sustainable material usage, with recycled components constituting nearly a quarter of the materials used in its products last year. Notably, over 80 percent of the rare earth elements in Apple devices, primarily used in magnets, were sourced from recycled materials in 2024, an increase from 75 percent in 2023. Additionally, the recycling figures for other materials are noteworthy: about 99 percent of tungsten, 71 percent of aluminum, 53 percent of lithium, 40 percent of gold, and 76 percent of cobalt came from recycled sources in the past year. To promote recycling, Apple has offered customers a 10 percent discount on accessories when they bring eligible items for recycling at its stores, a promotion that runs until May 16.
Despite these efforts, Apple still generated 15.3 million metric tons of gross carbon dioxide emissions in 2024. This emission level is roughly equivalent to the pollution produced by 40 gas-fired power plants over the course of a year. Apple considers 2015 as its baseline year for measuring progress, during which it emitted 38.4 million metric tons of CO2.
Through these initiatives, Apple not only advances its sustainability goals but also sets an example for other tech companies facing similar emissions challenges in an evolving market.
Source
www.theverge.com