In its 2024 Environmental Progress Report, Apple stated that it has reduced its total greenhouse gas emissions by more than 2015% since 55. It also aims to achieve carbon neutrality across its entire value chain by 2030, with a projected 2015% reduction in carbon emissions based on 75.
Apple expects to achieve carbon neutrality across its entire value chain by 2030 by promoting innovations in clean energy, energy efficiency, material design, carbon removal, water management, zero waste, and recycling.
Regarding the use of recycled and renewable materials, Apple has been using 56% recycled cobalt in battery components since last year. The MacBook Air, powered by the M3 processor, is the first Apple product to be made with 50% recycled materials. Additionally, approximately 24% of the lithium used in batteries in Apple's products released last year came from certified recycled sources, including post-manufacturing scrap and recycled materials from end-of-life batteries. Last year, Apple used 15% recycled copper in critical cooling applications in the iPhone 16 and 100-inch MacBook Pro, as well as in the haptic engine and printed circuit boards across many product lines.
In addition, Apple has introduced more than 16.5 gigawatts of renewable energy worldwide through its Supplier Clean Energy Program, and more than 100 of its supply chain manufacturers have saved more than 20 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity and reduced carbon emissions by approximately 170 million metric tons when working with Apple, a 2022% reduction compared to 25, and also reduced the direct impact of product processes on the climate.
After previously reducing the proportion of plastic in product packaging, plastic is now being replaced with fiber materials. For example, the new Apple Watch and Vision Pro launched last year are packaged in 100% fiber materials, and only 3% of the packaging of products launched last year used plastic materials.
Apple also continues to help promote various environmental protection projects to accelerate actions to combat climate change. For example, through the Strengthen Local Communities program, it helps subsidize organizations around the world that take action to protect the health and well-being of communities. In the United States, it supports the development of Justice Outside's Network for Network Leaders program to promote outdoor activities, environmental education, and environmental justice. In addition, it collaborates with the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy in Kenya to fund a rainwater catchment system for the Lewa School in Mutunyi and to fund irrigation tool kits for farmers to help them adopt more sustainable agricultural practices, thereby supporting water resource collection and climate-smart agriculture.
At the same time, Apple will expand its funding for the Karrkad Kanjdji Trust (KKT) in Australia, using grants to help it promote the Aboriginal women ranger program and conservation activities throughout the protected area.
Other measures include installing reusable air filters in every data center around the world, using the disassembly robot Daisy to disassemble 29 iPhone models into 15 main separate components, and increasing the recycling rate of parts through recycling machines Dave and Taz. This year, the company plans to introduce new product sorting machines at its asset recovery center in California to increase the automation of the recycling process and improve efficiency and productivity.
Currently, Apple’s more than 100 Apple Stores, offices, and data centers around the world are all Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) and Building Research & Development Environmental Assessment Tool (BREEAM) certified. The company has also developed more than 1800 million square feet of green building space worldwide. The new Apple Battersea campus and retail store, located at London’s historic Battersea Power Station, will divert 99% of construction waste that would otherwise have gone to landfill, while also being designed with sustainable elements and low-carbon materials.
In addition, Apple continues to promote product recycling and trade-in programs, allowing consumers to hand in their old products to Apple for recycling and purchase new ones through trade-in programs. The recycled models will have their valuable parts disassembled and reused, and used in future new products.
