One of Apple’s biggest projects is reducing its overall impact on the earth, making decisions that are more environmentally friendly in the long run.
And while Apple itself as touted these developments and milestones on its own, the United Nations is getting in on the action as well.
Announced amongst the backdrop of nations signalling their renewed determination to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement, these awards shine a light on 15 incredible examples of scalable climate action around the world,” said Niclas Svenningsen, Manager of the UN Climate Change Global Climate Action Programme
Today, the UN has awarded Apple as part of the “Mission Possible” effort, which includes Apple’s efforts to reduce carbon emissions, and to take responsibility for the company’s entire carbon footprint. Of course, transitioning to 100% renewable energy for the electricity that sources through its offices, data centers, and retail stores is a big step in the right direction as well.
Global: Apple is on a mission to make its products without taking from the Earth. It has transitioned to 100% renewable energy for the electricity it uses in its offices, retail stores and data centres in 43 countries across the world, and currently is transitioning its entire supply chain to 100% renewable energy.
The UN notes that Apple, over the course of the last three years alone, has reduced its carbon footprint by 35 percent. Across all of the company’s major product lines, Apple has decreased average energy use by 70%. In addition to that, Apple partnered with Conservation International to to not only protect, but also restore 11,000 hectare of mangrove forest in Colombia.
Apple’s efforts are good for its business, and helping the earth is also a bonus as well. However, it comes down to helping people as well:
Apple’s investments in energy efficiency and clean energy initiatives not only provide cost savings for Apple and its suppliers, but also promote economic opportunity by promoting new renewable energy markets. By issuing green bonds, Apple has invested in programmes that offer both environmental and organizational benefits. In 2016, its green bond was the first to be offered by a United States tech company and, at USD 1.5 billion, the largest green bond issued by any U.S. corporation. In June 2017, following the U.S. Administration’s announcement of its intention to withdraw from the Paris Agreement, Apple issued its second green bond, a USD 1 billion issuance. Apple has invested over USD 165 million, from this second green bond alone, to energy efficiency programmes which will reduce costs and save more than 2 million kWh annually throughout the life of the projects.
Apple’s SVP of Environment, Policy, and Social Initiatives, Lisa Jackson, weighed in on the award from the United Nations:
At Apple, we take our responsibility seriously to leave the world better than we found it. By running 100% of our operations on renewable energy and driving our entire global supply chain to do the same, we’ll bring more than 6 gigawatts of clean power online next year. From restoring mangrove forests in Colombia to launching a new Clean Energy Fund in China, we know that we must keep challenging ourselves to innovate and do more to take on the climate crisis globally. Thank you to the United Nations for recognizing our commitment to clean energy and reducing the carbon footprint of our products. We promise to keep leading the charge for bold climate action.
Apple is on a bit of a streak this week when it comes to good news about its environmental impact. We recently reported that Apple’s China Clean Energy Fund has invested in three wind farms in the region.