In a groundbreaking announcement, Apple has taken a monumental leap toward a more sustainable future with the release of its first-ever carbon neutral products, showcased in the all-new Apple Watch lineup. The tech giant’s relentless commitment to clean energy and innovative design has led to remarkable reductions in product emissions, slashing them by a staggering 75 percent for each carbon neutral Apple Watch.
This milestone is not just a significant achievement; it’s a pivotal step towards Apple’s ambitious Apple 2030 goal – to render every product carbon neutral by the close of this decade. This includes not only the products themselves but the entire global supply chain and the entire lifespan of each Apple device.
As part of this grand initiative, Apple has taken bold steps in its environmental journey, including bidding farewell to leather across all product lines. The company is also introducing revolutionary fibre-based packaging for its new Apple Watch lineup. Furthermore, Apple continues to expand its use of recycled materials, notably in the iPhone. Additionally, Apple has introduced the Home app’s innovative Grid Forecast tool, empowering users to make informed decisions about their energy consumption.
Lisa Jackson, Apple’s vice president of Environment, Policy, and Social Initiatives, emphasizes, “At Apple, we have a longstanding and proven commitment to leading the fight against climate change. Our focus on renewable energy and low-carbon design has already driven industry-leading emissions reductions, and we’re not slowing down. We’ve achieved an important milestone in making the world’s most popular watch carbon neutral – and we will keep innovating to meet the urgency of the moment.”
A Greener Tomorrow by 2030
Apple’s approach to product decarbonization centers on reducing greenhouse gas emissions from three major sources: electricity, materials, and transportation. Only after achieving substantial reductions in product emissions do they apply high-quality carbon credits from nature-based projects to address any remaining emissions.
Each carbon neutral Apple Watch model adheres to stringent criteria: 100 percent clean electricity for manufacturing and product use, 30 percent recycled or renewable material by weight, and 50 percent of shipping without air transportation. These combined efforts result in an impressive minimum 75 percent reduction in product emissions for each model. Certification by SCS Global Services, a leader in environmental standards and certification, confirms the carbon neutrality of every Apple Watch.
The Path to 2030 and Beyond
Apple’s first carbon neutral products represent the culmination of years of dedication and innovation across the company and its vast supply chain. These achievements signify the latest stride in a journey that commenced over a decade ago.
In 2020, Apple achieved carbon neutrality for its global corporate operations and introduced Apple 2030, a bold strategy to attain carbon neutrality throughout its value chain by 2030. Apple’s strategy hinges on a determined 75 percent reduction in overall carbon emissions from 2015 levels. By avoiding carbon-generating activities, expanding renewable energy use, and designing with recycled and renewable materials, Apple has already reduced total emissions by over 45 percent since 2015, while simultaneously experiencing substantial revenue growth.
Every Apple product offers an opportunity to reduce emissions, from manufacturing and device charging to materials and shipping.
Driving Progress with Clean Electricity
All manufacturing for carbon neutral Apple Watch models relies on 100 percent clean electricity, thanks to investments and sourcing by Apple and its suppliers. Moreover, all suppliers responsible for producing parts and components for these models have pledged to use 100 percent renewable electricity for Apple production by the end of the decade.
Apple’s commitment to renewable energy extends back over a decade, starting with large-scale solar and wind farm investments to power its data centers and offices. In 2015, the company began collaborating with its manufacturing partners to facilitate their own solar and wind projects and source renewable energy for all Apple production. Since 2018, all of Apple’s global corporate offices, data centers, and retail stores have relied on renewable electricity.
To address emissions related to device charging, Apple will match 100 percent of customers’ expected electricity use for charging carbon neutral Apple Watch models.
Innovations in Low-Carbon Design
Apple’s commitment to sustainability extends to product materials. The company is discontinuing the use of leather across all product lines, replacing it with FineWoven, a textile made from 68 percent post-consumer recycled content. FineWoven offers both durability and elegance, available in products such as iPhone MagSafe cases, wallets, Magnetic Link, and Modern Buckle Apple Watch bands.
Recycled and renewable materials often have a lower carbon footprint than primary materials, aligning with Apple’s goal to use 100 percent recycled metals in key components by 2025. This includes 100 percent recycled rare earth magnets and 100 percent recycled cobalt in the batteries of iPhone 15, Apple Watch Series 9, and Apple Watch Ultra 2. The redesigned Sport Loop now contains 82 percent recycled yarn, incorporating material from discarded fishing nets. Additionally, Apple encourages customers to participate in its Trade In program, refurbishing or recycling devices to minimize environmental impact.
Reducing Transportation Emissions
Transporting products worldwide accounts for about 9 percent of Apple’s comprehensive carbon footprint. To reduce emissions, Apple is shifting more product volume to less carbon-intensive shipping modes like ocean or rail, which emit 95 percent fewer emissions compared to air transport. For carbon neutral Apple Watch models, at least 50 percent of combined weight will be shipped using non-air methods, nearly halving total transportation emissions. Additionally, the packaging of Apple Watch Series 9 and SE models has been redesigned for compactness, allowing for 25 percent more devices per shipment.
Apple remains committed to supporting efforts to decarbonize the shipping industry and seeks out innovations such as alternative fuels and electric vehicles.
Investing in High-Quality Carbon Removal
Following substantial reductions in product emissions, Apple plans to offset residual emissions with high-quality carbon credits primarily from nature-based projects. These projects include initiatives to restore grasslands, wetlands, and forests, which play a crucial role in mitigating climate change.
Apple’s definition of high-quality credits ensures that projects are real, additional, measurable, quantified, avoid double-counting, and guarantee permanence. Apple’s innovative Restore Fund supports such projects, including collaborations with Arbaro Advisors and BTG Pactual Timberland Investment Group to restore and protect high-quality working forests and ecosystems in Paraguay and Brazil.
Introducing Grid Forecast
As Apple continues its journey toward a carbon-neutral future, it’s actively engaging with customers through innovative technology like Grid Forecast. This tool, available in the Home app on Apple devices, informs users about the cleanliness of their electrical grid at any given time. Users can make informed decisions about when to use electricity based on emissions data, reducing their environmental impact.
Grid Forecast integrates grid, emissions, and weather information into an easy-to-follow signal, enabling users to optimize their energy usage for large appliances and electric vehicles. As part of Apple’s commitment to collective action, the company is working toward a 90 percent reduction in emissions by 2050, actively advocating for global climate progress.
In conclusion, Apple’s recent strides toward carbon neutrality are not just groundbreaking but represent a paradigm shift in the tech industry’s approach to sustainability. As Apple continues to innovate and lead in the fight against climate change, its products become a beacon of hope for a greener tomorrow.
