Apple to exceed 4GW renewable energy goal for supply chain

Apple has almost doubled the number of suppliers that have committed to 100% clean energy, as part of a wider goal to deliver 4GW of renewable energy into its supply chain by 2020.

Having already powered 100% of its global facilities across 43 countries with renewable energy, Apple has been targeting uptake of clean energy in the supply chain since 2015.

Through the Supplier Clean Energy Programme, Apple has encouraged 44 suppliers to commit to run their Apple production sites and facilities on 100% clean power. Apple claims that the 4GW target will be exceeded by 2020, with more than 1GW of additional renewables uptake projected in the timeframe.

“Every time one of our suppliers joins us in our efforts to address climate change, we move closer to a better future for the next generation,” Apple’s vice president for environment, policy and social initiatives, Lisa Jackson, said.

“We’ve made it a priority to hold our suppliers accountable to the same environmental standards we observe and hope that our collaboration will show others what is possible. While we are proud of our announcement today, we won’t stop driving change within our industry to support the clean energy transition happening globally.”

Over the last 12 months, Apple and its suppliers used enough generated clean energy equal to the electricity consumption of more than 600,000 homes in the US.

Renewable rollouts

Apple is targeting supply chain emissions as manufacturing accounts for 74% of the company’s carbon footprint. Since 2011, Apple’s use of renewable energy has reduced operational emissions by 54% worldwide, preventing more than two million metric tonnes of CO2e from being emitted. In 2017, Apple reduced carbon emissions by almost 590,000 metric tonnes. Without renewable energy, Apple estimates that these emissions would have more than tripled since 2011.

Apple is helping suppliers identify opportunities to access renewable energy through its Clean Energy Portal, an online educational platform. More than 100 suppliers are participating in the site.

Last year, Apple announced that it had partnered with its key suppliers to jointly invest $300m (£228m) in solar power projects in China over the next four years, that will facilitate the installation of more than 1GW of solar capacity.

The company has also allocated $2.5bn in green bonds, the largest of any US corporation. The bonds have now been completely allocated to 40 environmental initiatives globally, including renewables projects and recycled aluminium initiatives.

Matt Mace