Apple CEO Tim Cook Urges Action on Climate Change at United Nations Summit

Apple CEO Tim Cook today delivered a brief speech during the 2020 Climate Ambition Summit, stressing that leaders of nations and companies around the world have a "burden to act" to address climate change during this "moment of historic urgency." The summit is co-hosted by the United Nations, United Kingdom, and France.

tim cook united nations climate summit
In his prepared remarks, Cook highlighted Apple's environmental initiatives, including its global facilities being powered by 100% renewable energy and its ambitious goal of achieving carbon neutrality across its entire supply chain and product usage by 2030.

Cook's full speech:

Thank you to all of the advocates and leaders joining us today. This is an important gathering, and we at Apple don't take our presence in this group lightly. We wear it as a badge of duty. At this moment of historic urgency, every leader of nations, of companies, and of communities has a particular burden to act. This year, Apple has accelerated our progress. We became carbon neutral for our worldwide corporate emissions. Already, we're helping 95 of our suppliers transition to 100% renewable energy, a number we continue to grow. We've unveiled a plan, unrivalled in its ambition, to achieve carbon neutrality for our entire supply chain and product usage by 2030 — 20 years before the goal set by the United Nations. We see every part of our device lifecycle, from design, to manufacturing, to durability and repair, to recycling, as an opportunity for environmental innovation, moving us towards our goal of a closed-loop supply chain. The choice between the bottom line and the future of our planet is a false one, and each new green innovation offers the proof. This is no time for changes of the margins. Together, we can transition to a carbon-neutral economy and usher in a new era of inclusive opportunity. This is a moment for ambition, cooperation, and leadership. We at Apple are proud to be your partner, and we call on companies and governments around the world to do all we can to make 2021 the year we turn the corner for good.

Last month, the UK Parliament's Environmental Audit Committee said tech companies like Apple are contributing to e-waste by making their products difficult to repair, and charging expensive repair fees. The committee added that the current business model for electronics is "reliant on continuous consumption, a throwaway culture and short-lived products," and called on tech companies to embrace environmentally-friendly business models.

In a statement, Apple said that it was "surprised and disappointed" with the Environmental Audit Committee's report, arguing that it "does not reflect any of Apple's efforts to conserve resources and protect the planet we all share."

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Top Rated Comments

macintoshmac Avatar
59 months ago
So, just marketing.

They produce the costliest disposables on the planet, promote annual upgrade culture and are talking about climate change.
Score: 105 Votes (Like | Disagree)
NachoGrande Avatar
59 months ago
What a fraud, they trash the planet via China and act green in the US. Maybe he can stop unneeded iPhone production every year.
Score: 57 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ilikewhey Avatar
59 months ago
apple is surprised that their airpods are disposables?
Score: 52 Votes (Like | Disagree)
HiVolt Avatar
59 months ago
Yeah, a company that produces hundreds of millions of practically unrepairable stuff outside of their controlled and expensive repair facilities talks about climate change.

Not to mention they are actively fighting against right to repair and independent repair shops with lowball tactics like getting customs to seize spare parts shipments.
Score: 42 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Infinite Vortex Avatar
59 months ago
Dear Tim Apple… if I want to stop climate change I should probably stop buying your stuff in the way you want me to be buying your stuff!
Score: 36 Votes (Like | Disagree)
needsomecoffee Avatar
59 months ago
The King Of Logistics gets Apple inventory costs to zero by shipping every product they make using air planes. Of course those gigantic carbon emissions are "spent" by third party shipping companies so Tim Apple does not have to record them.
Score: 28 Votes (Like | Disagree)