Apple exceeds sustainable supply chain goal

Apple has nearly doubled its number of suppliers committed to running their production on 100% clean energy, bringing the total amount to 44.

The technology giant will thus exceed its goal of bringing 4GW of renewable energy into its supply chain by 2020, with an additional 1GW projected within that timeframe.

Apple said the achievement “shows others what is possible through collaboration“, and comes one year after it announced that all its global facilities are now powered by 100% renewable energy.

“Every time one of our suppliers joins us in our efforts to address climate change, we move closer to a better future for the next generation,“ said Lisa Jackson, Apple's vice president of environment, policy and social initiatives.

“We've made it a priority to hold our suppliers accountable to the same environmental standards we observe.“

The latest announcement means that Apple has now spent $2.5 Billion on environmental initiatives, and comes after the firm revealed that it had reduced its comprehensive carbon footprint for the third year in a row in 2018.

This was largely thanks to Apple's Supplier Clean Energy Program.

Manufacturing makes up 74% the company's carbon footprint, so the program helps its suppliers increase energy efficiency and transition to renewable energy sources.

Just last year, Apple and its suppliers participated in clean energy generation that roughly equalled the electricity needed to power over 600,000 homes in the US.

Apple has further expanded its supplier education and support initiatives, including through its Clean Energy Portal, an online platform to help suppliers identify renewable energy sources globally.

Over 100 suppliers have already registered to participate in the site. It also launched a first-of-its-kind fund with 10 of its suppliers last year to help finance renewable energy projects in China.

“We won't stop driving change within our industry to support the clean energy transition happening globally,“ Jackson said.

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