Apple pushes Chinese suppliers to use 100% renewable energy to accelerate environmental protection efforts

        On the morning of October 28, Apple today announced the commitment of suppliers across China to new clean energy output, which will accelerate Apple's goal of achieving 100% carbon neutrality across the entire supply chain and product life cycle by 2030. Currently, 50 Chinese companies have joined Apple's supplier clean energy project, a number that has more than doubled over the past year. Globally, 175 Apple suppliers will transition to renewable energy, which means that Apple and its suppliers will bring more than 9 gigawatts of clean energy. Such a move can avoid the emission of more than 18 million tons of carbon dioxide each year, which is equivalent to reducing nearly 4 million cars on the road each year.

　　"Every company should be involved in the fight against climate change. Together with our suppliers, we are demonstrating all the opportunities and fairness that green innovation can bring," said Apple CEO Tim Cook. "We need to act quickly and work together. However, time is a non-renewable resource, and we must act quickly to build a greener and fairer future."

　　Apple has achieved carbon neutrality in its global operations, and by the end of 2030, every Apple product sold will have a net zero environmental impact. Since announcing this goal last year, Apple has not only significantly increased the number of suppliers that have switched to renewable energy, but also increased the use of recycled materials in its products and created new projects to improve the environment. In total, Apple's carbon emissions have been reduced by 40% over the past five years.

　　“We’re thrilled to see so many companies from across China joining our important project to protect our planet and make a huge contribution to China’s green transformation,” said Ge Yue, Apple’s vice president and managing director of Greater China. “We always hope to set an example and lead everyone to make greater changes. The progress we’ve made is based on our collaboration with our partners, and we look forward to our joint efforts to have a broader impact in the coming years.”

　　Many of the suppliers who have joined Apple’s China Clean Energy Program have maximized existing solutions in their factories to meet their commitment to use 100% renewable energy, while also supporting new renewable energy projects in China. These companies come in all sizes and represent the backbone of the digital economy. Since the launch of the Apple Supplier Clean Energy Program in 2015, the trend of Apple’s suppliers in China switching to clean energy has been steadily increasing. These companies are located across China — from Shandong and Zhejiang to Fujian and Guangdong, and they are helping to introduce new clean energy sources to their respective regions.

　　Suppliers that have newly joined the commitment in the past six months include: Chengdu Hongming Shuangxin Technology, Shantou Ultrasonic Printed Circuit Board Company, Sichuan Furong Technology, Guangdong Yidun Electronic Technology, Dongguan Jiebang Precision, Jiangsu Jingyan Technology, Dongshan Precision Weixin Electronics, Shandong Innovation Metal Technology, Shenzhen Changying Precision, Shenzhen Derun Electronics, Singleton New Materials Technology, Sunny Optical Technology, Suzhou Wanxiang Technology, Suzhou Yingke Industrial, Suzhou Jiazhi Electronics, Senke Hardware, and Shenzhen Zhenghe Zhongxin.

　　While maintaining high standards for procurement, Apple is also creating new ways to use recyclable materials, including recycling gold, cobalt, aluminum, and rare earth elements, which are materials currently used in Apple products. These methods, as well as suppliers' transition to renewable energy, are reducing the impact of Apple products on the environment. For example, the carbon footprint of the iPhone 13 Pro is reduced by 11% compared to the previous generation, and the carbon footprint of the 16-inch MacBook Pro is reduced by 8% compared to the previous generation.

　　At the same time, Apple will continue to honor its commitment to protecting China's precious natural resources. Through cooperation with the World Wildlife Fund, it has improved the management of about 6 million acres of productive forests in China and continued to invest in the protection and restoration of global forests, providing the world with more responsible forest management products while achieving carbon benefits. Apple also supports more productive forests through the newly established Carbon Removal Program (Restore Fund).