Apple has so far reduced total emissions by over 45 percent since 2015, while still growing revenue by over 65 percent in the same period, according to a September 2023 statement from the company. And since 2018, all of Apple’s corporate offices, data centers and retail stores worldwide have been powered by renewable electricity, the company asserts.
On the partner front, more than 300 global suppliers have now joined Apple’s Supplier Clean Energy Program, committing to 100% renewable electricity for all production by the end of this decade, the company asserts.
Beyond its 2030 carbon neutral goal, Apple is also working toward a 90% reduction in emissions by 2050, the company said.
December 2024: Business Updates
Partnership - AWS AI Chips: Apple is using AWS AI chips for services like search and will evaluate if the latest AWS AI chip can be used to pre-train its models like Apple Intelligence, CNBC reported.
October 2024: Business Updates
Apple Watches: Customers can now "choose a carbon-neutral option of any Apple Watch," CEO Tim Cook said during Apple's Q4 2024 earnings call. The statement surfaced roughly one year after Apple introduced its first carbon-neutral watch in September 2023 -- though the claim involves Apple purchasing various carbon offsets.
Mac Mini: The new Mac mini is Apple’s first carbon neutral Mac, though Apple leverages carbon credits to offset about 20% of emissions associated with the new computer.
September 2024: Business Updates
Environmental Legislation: Chief Sustainability Officer Lisa Jackson considers environmental regulation to be both welcome and essential, since it levels the playing field for all companies, Apple Insider reported.
Product Launches and E-Waste: The Apple iPhone 16, Apple Watch Series 10, Apple Watch Ultra 2 and AirPods 4 launch announcements each briefly mentioned Apple's sustainability efforts. But company critics say Apple's annual product launches and planned product obsolescence contribute to global e-waste problems. Also, Apple Intelligence capabilities -- expected to launch in October October -- didn't mention whether the company will align AI with sustainability.
Launch Event: Apple will unveil the iPhone 16 and other new devices during a September 9 launch event at the company's headquarters. We'll be watching to see if or how Apple touts carbon neutral or sustainable products at the gathering. During the 2023 launch event, a carbon neutral Apple Watch surfaced. But some critics questioned the carbon neutral claims, since the associated formula included Apple purchasing carbon credits.
AI PCs - Apple Market Share: Apple currently dominates 60% of the AI-capable PC market, according to Canalys. AI-capable PCs typically include a dedicated chipset to run AI workloads locally, the research firm says. Example AI-focused chipsets include AMD XDNA, Apple Neural Engine, Intel AI Boost and Qualcomm Hexagon, SeekingAlpa noted. The big questions: Do customers actually realize they're buying AI-capable PCs, and will they use the devices for AI-intensive applications?
July 2024: Business Updates
Partnership - Generative AI: Apple will get an observer role on OpenAI’s board as part of a landmark agreement announced in June 2024, Bloomberg reported, further tightening ties between the once-unlikely partners.
Japan: A renewable energy initiative, whose members include Apple, Meta and Nike, called on Japan to triple its capacity of clean electricity as the country reviews its national energy strategy, Bloomberg reported. The initiative known as RE100 suggested that the nation increase its installed capacity of renewable power to 363 gigawatts by 2035 from 121 gigawatts in 2022, the report noted.
June 2024: Business Updates
Modular iPhone? Apple's patent efforts include a modular iPhone design. Example use cases include allowing users to swap out the standard back panel for one with a back-facing display, Glucose meter+ or more, according to Patently Apple. In theory, modular smartphones are more sustainable than traditional smartphones since users could potentially swap out or replace components instead of buying entirely new phones. Fairphone of Europe already offers such a design.
Apple AI Strategy: Apple's AI technology, known as Apple Intelligence, will begin beta testing in the fall of 2024, the company said during its Worldwide Developer Conference (WWDC). Alas, the official Apple Intelligence announcement did not mention sustainability or energy efficiency opportunities. To play catchup in the generative AI market, Apple plans to partner with OpenAI.
Elon Musk Objects: The Apple Intelligence plan drew criticism from Elon Musk, who alleges the close Apple-OpenAI integrations could trigger security risks on Apple's hardware. Musk is therefore threatening to ban Apple products within his companies -- which include Tesla, X (formerly Twitter) and SpaceX, among others. Musk, an early OpenAI investor, alleges that the company lost its way by prioritizing revenues over social good. Amid that backdrop, Musk is building an OpenAI rival called xAI.
iOS 18: The Home app will gain Energy category updates that make it "easier for eligible users to access, understand, and make more informed decisions about their home electricity use," the company said.
Apple Vision Pro: The mixed reality headset "is designed with 100 percent recycled rare earth elements in all magnets, and 100 percent recycled tin soldering and gold plating in multiple printed circuit boards. Vision Pro meets Apple’s high standards for energy efficiency, and is free of mercury, brominated flame retardants, PVC, and beryllium. The packaging is 100 percent fiber-based, bringing Apple closer to its goal of eliminating plastics in all packaging by 2025. Today, Apple is carbon neutral for its global corporate operations, and by 2030, plans to be carbon neutral across the entire manufacturing supply chain and life cycle of every product," the company said.
May 2024: Business Updates
New Tablet: The new Apple iPad Pro leverages 100% recycled aluminum in the enclosure, 100 percent recycled rare earth elements in all magnets, and 100 percent recycled gold plating and tin soldering in multiple printed circuit boards. Also, the packaging is 100% fiber-based. The company is striving to remove plastic from all packaging by 2025.
Apple AI Chips:Apple is developing AI-focused chips for its own data centers, The Wall Street Journal reported. The project -- known as Apple Chips in Data Center (ACDC) -- has been under development for several years, but it's unclear if Apple will ever unveil the resulting chips. We're also curious to know if the Apple ACDC chips will reduce power consumption compared to existing chips.
iPhone Right to Repair: Apple has opened its iPhone repair process to include used components, TechCrunch reported. Starting sometime in the second half of 2024, customers and independent repair shops will be able to fix the smartphone using compatible components, the report said.
Apple Layoffs Tied to EV Project Cancellation?: Apple layoffs will impact more than 600 employees in California, marking the company's first big wave of post-pandemic job cuts amid a broader wave of tech industry consolidation, The Associated Press reported. Some sources speculate that the job cuts involve Apple's decision to cancel an electric vehicle (EV) car project.
Electric Vehicles (EVs) - Apple Car: After previously envisioning a truly driverless car, Apple is now working on an EV (electric vehicle) with more limited features, Bloomberg reported. The car is now expected to arrive in 2028, the report said.
Board of Directors: Former U.S. vice president and climate activist Al Gore is exiting Apple's board because he has reached the board's mandatory retirement age of 75.
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