Apple cuts emissions 5% in 2024, aims for 90% by 2050

Apple reported a 5% decrease in its greenhouse gas emissions for 2024, totaling 800,000 metric tons. Over the past decade, emissions have dropped by more than 60% compared to 2015.

This reduction is attributed to increased use of renewable energy, sustainable product designs, and efforts to encourage suppliers to lower emissions.

Apple also noted that its suppliers avoided around 24 million metric tons of emissions in 2024 through renewable energy and energy efficiency improvements.

Despite these efforts, Apple reported 15.3 million metric tons of gross carbon emissions in 2024, aiming for a 75% reduction by 2030 and 90% by 2050.

To encourage recycling, Apple is offering a 10% discount on accessories for customers who recycle eligible devices in-store until May 16.

🔗 Source: The Verge

🧠 Food for thought

1️⃣ Tech’s sustainability pioneer charted a decade-long transformation

Apple’s current environmental leadership represents a remarkable turnaround from its past reputation. In 2012, the company was widely criticized for its environmental practices before beginning an ambitious transformation 1.

The appointment of Lisa Jackson, former EPA administrator, to lead Apple’s environmental initiatives in 2013 marked a strategic pivot in its approach to sustainability 2.

This long-term commitment has yielded significant results, from achieving 100% renewable energy for corporate operations to the current 60% reduction in overall emissions since 2015 3.

Apple’s progress demonstrates that meaningful corporate climate action requires sustained, strategic investment rather than short-term initiatives, with the company having maintained consistent progress for over a decade.

The company’s early environmental initiatives, such as building the world’s largest private solar array for its North Carolina data center in 2012, established a pattern of ambitious infrastructure investments that continue today 1.

2️⃣ Bucking the AI trend: Declining emissions while competitors surge

Apple’s continued emissions reduction stands in stark contrast to the broader tech industry trend where AI development is driving substantial emissions increases.

Google’s greenhouse gas emissions have risen 48% since 2019, while Microsoft reported a 29% increase, both explicitly attributed to energy-intensive AI infrastructure and data centers 4.