Apple has made significant strides in reducing its carbon footprint across its supply chain, with over 320 suppliers accounting for 95% of its direct manufacturing spending, committing to using 100% renewable energy for Apple production by 2030. This marks a substantial increase from approximately 250 suppliers last year. Addressing emissions from product manufacturing, which comprise nearly two-thirds of Apple’s carbon footprint, is a key part of the company’s strategy to achieve carbon neutrality across its entire business, manufacturing supply chain, and product life cycle by 2030.
In October 2022, Apple called on its supply chain to decarbonize its entire Apple-related Scope 1 and 2 emissions footprint, making progress towards these goals a key criterion for awarding business. Since then, the use of clean energy in Apple’s supply chain has grown rapidly, reaching 16.5 GW, a 20% increase over last year and more than 55% higher than in 2022. Apple’s supply chain generated over 25.5 million MW of clean energy last year, avoiding more than 18.5 million metric tons of carbon emissions.
Apple is also taking steps to address greenhouse gas emissions associated with customer device usage by aiming to match the electricity used for device charging with clean electricity by 2030. Product use currently accounts for 24% of Apple’s carbon footprint. To tackle these emissions, Apple is investing in a portfolio of solar projects, including initiatives in Michigan and Spain, which are expected to bring 132 MW and 105 MW of clean energy by the end of the year. Previous clean energy investments in Australia and Texas also target addressing customers’ electricity use.
Furthermore, Apple is progressing towards its 2030 goal of replenishing 100% of the freshwater used in corporate operations in high-stress locations. The company has launched new partnerships to deliver nearly 7 billion gallons in water benefits over the next two decades, including initiatives to restore rivers and aquifers and provide access to drinking water. Apple’s Supplier Clean Water program, initiated in 2013, has already saved 76 billion gallons of water in its supply chain, including 12 billion gallons last year.