Apple signs up more suppliers to green energy pledge

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Apple’s bid to make its supply chain more environmentally friendly has been boosted by commitments from more suppliers to use renewable energy for production related to the manufacturing of products like the iPhone.

The Cupertino-based company has used clean energy to power all of its global facilities for the past year now but is aware that three quarters of its carbon footprint is generated through manufacturing.

It has spent $2.5 billion on environmental initiatives that have helped reduce its carbon footprint for three years in a row. Meanwhile, it has set up an online platform that allows suppliers to identify sources of renewable energy around the globe.

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Apple renewable

The new signatories to this clean energy pledge include Foxconn, a major manufacturing partner, and will see Apple exceed its target of introducing four gigawatts of renewable energy into its supply chain by 2020. Indeed, it could add an additional gigawatt in that same timeframe.

“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 and hope that our collaboration will show others what is possible. While we are proud of our announcement today, we won’t stop driving change within our industry to support the clean energy transition happening globally.”

Apple’s use of renewable energy, and its reduction on the amount of hazardous chemicals used in manufacturing, has seen it score well in Greenpeace’s Guide to Greener Electronics. However, it has been criticised for making its devices difficult to repair and therefore reducing their lifespan. A battery replacement programme has gone some way to alleviate these concerns.

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