Apple's Impressive Emission Cuts

In a remarkable achievement for the tech giant, Apple has successfully reduced its carbon footprint by a staggering 800,000 metric tons last year, marking a 5% decrease compared to 2023. This brings its total greenhouse gas emissions down by more than 60% over the last decade. Amidst an escalating AI arms race that drives other companies' emissions higher, Apple stands out as a leader in sustainability.

Commitment to Renewable Energy and Sustainability

Apple has built its climate strategy on three essential pillars: harnessing renewable energy, crafting more sustainable products, and urging suppliers to adopt greener practices. Incredibly, the company reports that its suppliers collectively avoided nearly 24 million metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions last year alone by focusing on renewable energy and enhancing energy efficiency.

Tackling Fluorinated GHGs in Semiconductor Production

While reducing carbon dioxide emissions is crucial, Apple also faces challenges from fluorinated greenhouse gases (F-GHGs) emitted during the production of semiconductors and flat-panel displays. To combat this, all of Apple's direct display suppliers have pledged to cut at least 90% of F-GHGs generated in manufacturing processes for Apple products. Additionally, 26 semiconductor suppliers have made similar commitments, although Apple has not disclosed how this impacts its overall supply chain.

Recycling Efforts Yield Promising Results

Last year, Apple took significant strides in its recycling initiatives, using recycled materials for nearly a quarter of the materials shipped in its products. An impressive 80% of rare earth elements used—primarily in device magnets—came from recycled sources, a notable increase from 75% the previous year. Furthermore, 99% of tungsten, 71% of aluminum, 53% of lithium, 40% of gold, and 76% of cobalt in its products were sourced from recycled materials. To incentivize recycling, Apple is currently offering a 10% discount on accessories for customers who bring eligible items to stores.

Looking Ahead: Bold Goals for 2030 and Beyond

Despite these achievements, Apple still emitted a substantial 15.3 million metric tons of carbon dioxide in 2024—equating to the pollution produced by approximately 40 gas-fired power plants over a year. The company uses 2015 as its baseline year, during which it emitted 38.4 million metric tons. Moving forward, Apple has set ambitious targets: slashing its carbon emissions by a whopping 75% by 2030, and aiming for 90% reduction by 2050, aligning its goals with the Paris Agreement and the urgent need to combat climate change.