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Apple Boosts Efforts in Renewable Energy and Water Sustainability

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Apple is intensifying its global investment in clean energy and water sustainability, advancing towards its "Apple 2030" goal of achieving carbon neutrality across its entire value chain by the decade's end, the company has announced.

Apple global clean energy and water Spain solar power project big

"Clean energy and water are foundational to healthy communities and essential building blocks for a responsible business," said Lisa Jackson, Apple's vice president of Environment, Policy, and Social Initiatives. "We're racing toward our ambitious Apple 2030 climate goal while taking on the long-term work to transform electrical grids and restore watersheds to build a cleaner future for all."

Apple says it has successfully increased its clean electricity capacity to over 18 gigawatts — a threefold increase since 2020 — largely powered by solar energy projects in the U.S. and Europe. The initiatives support Apple's operational and manufacturing needs as well as cater to the electricity used by customers to power their devices.

Apple has also set a target to replenish 100% of the freshwater used in its corporate operations in high-stress areas. The company has established partnerships aimed at restoring aquifers and rivers and has provided nearly 7 billion gallons of water benefits slated for the next 20 years. Apple says that, with the help of suppliers, the company conserved over 76 billion gallons of water through the Supplier Clean Water Program.

Tag: Environmental Responsibility

Top Rated Comments

J
johnediii
26 months ago

Probably the only thing worse than producing e-waste is producing nuclear waste.
First off, no nuclear waste is not a problem. Second, Gen 4 doesn't usually produce radioactive waste that needs to be stored for centuries. There is a lot of information on the internet about this. Also, Gen 4 is not a danger for accidents similar to Chernobyl or Fukushima. The bar to entry on this is really bureaucratic and financial. Older reactors are like inkjet printers. The companies don't make a lot of money on building them, they make money providing the fuel into perpetuity. Gen 4 largely can eliminate this because it uses fuel that is much easier to come by and far less dangerous naturally than Uranium.
Score: 21 Votes (Like | Disagree)
E
ELman
26 months ago
Hearing sustainability is the goal of so many tech companies is getting old. If they really want to make a difference move manufacturing out of countries that have zero interest in the environment.
Score: 18 Votes (Like | Disagree)
flottenheimer Avatar
flottenheimer
26 months ago
I applaud every move towards a more sustainable Apple. And they do a lot of good stuff.

I do think Apple should focus even more on their products though.

A few ideas:

— Replaceable AirPod batteries.
— Replaceable laptop batteries.
— Ditch the iMac (the CPU/'computer' will be outdated way before the screen, but all will be tossed). The alternative: MacMini/MacStudio + Monitor is much less wasteful.
— Upgradable storage for all computers (an empty M.2 slot will suffice).

... as we all know — a long(er) lifespan is a good thing.
Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)
J
johnediii
26 months ago

How do these massive solar panel installations support Apple's operational and manufacturing needs on an overcast day or after sunset? How do they get their power then? Has Apple installed massive electrical energy storage facilities to provide energy when the sun isn't shining?

Does Apple account for the energy and carbon footprint of manufacturing their solar facilities in their "clean electricity" statements?
Not only that but the amount of land that is required for these. Why are we destroying so much natural wilderness for the pipe dream of sustainable Solar? Apple has the money. Build Gen 4 nuclear and then it clean and has 1/1000 the footprint.
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)
I
icanhazmac
26 months ago

Solar panels are easy to recycle and replace.
https://www.latimes.com/business/story/2022-07-14/california-rooftop-solar-pv-panels-recycling-danger

https://www.wired.com/story/solar-panels-are-starting-to-die-leaving-behind-toxic-trash/

https://www.technologyreview.com/2021/08/19/1032215/solar-panels-recycling/

Doesn't seem so easy.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
DominikHoffmann Avatar
DominikHoffmann
26 months ago
Also, what is the environmental impact of producing all those solar panels? What’s the environmental impact when they have to be discarded, like after a severe hail storm?



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