Apple Publishes Annual Environmental Progress Report

Apple has published its 2021 Environmental Progress Report, detailing its progress in tackling its carbon emissions and commitment to helping preserve the planet.

According to a new report from Engadget, the report details the Cupertino company’s progress in reducing its carbon emissions, offering details on the environmental/climate improvements Apple has made over the past year.

“As a company, we moved ahead with greater urgency than ever before to create a stronger, healthier future for our planet and her people,” Lisa Jackson, Apple’s vice president of environment, policy and social initiatives said in the report’s opening letter. “In 2020, that meant real progress in our fight against climate change. Apple became carbon neutral for our worldwide operations, and we committed to becoming carbon neutral by 2030 for our entire footprint — from our supply chain to the use of the products we make. Those same products now use more recycled materials than ever, like the 40 percent recycled content in the MacBook Air with Retina display, and the 99 percent recycled tungsten we now use in iPhone 12 and Apple Watch Series 6.”

Here are some highlights from the report, and some of them are quite impressive:

  • Apple says it 2020 CO2 emissions were down to 22.6 million tons (from 25.1 in 2019)
  • Apple reduced its energy use by 13.9 million kilowatt-hours in 2020
  • Apple’s M1 chip for Mac mini reduced the device’s overall carbon footprint by 34 percent
  • The 8th generation iPad uses 66 less energy than the requirement for ENERGY STAR
  • As of December 2020, 90%+ of suppliers have installed mitigation technology to reduce F-GHG emissions associated with making display panels, reducing emissions by more than 90%.
  • Apple will invest $200 million in carbon removal from the atmosphere
  • 861k tons of copper, tin, and zinc ore saved by removing power adapters from products like the iPhone 12

You can read the report in full here.

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