William Gallagher
The United Nations has included Apple in its 2019 Climate Action Awards for the company's efforts in using renewable energy sources, and donation to social intervention causes.
The United Nations has recognized Apple for its environmental efforts, including the move to using renewable energy sources. Apple is one of 15 firms or projects announced as winners of the 2019 UN Global Climate Action Award.
"Announced amongst the backdrop of nations signalling their renewed determination to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement," said Niclas Svenningsen, Manager of the UN Climate Change Global Climate Action Programme in a statement, "these awards shine a light on 15 incredible examples of scalable climate action around the world."
The UN singled out Apple for its emissions reduction and said that the company is "on a mission to make its products without taking from the Earth."
"At Apple, we take our responsibility seriously to leave the world better than we found it," said Lisa Jackson, vice president, environment, policy and social initiatives. "By running 100% of our operations on renewable energy and driving our entire global supply chain to do the same, we'll bring more than 6 gigawatts of clean power online next year.
"From restoring mangrove forests in Colombia to launching a new Clean Energy Fund in China," she continued, "we know that we must keep challenging ourselves to innovate and do more to take on the climate crisis globally."
"Thank you to the United Nations for recognizing our commitment to clean energy and reducing the carbon footprint of our products," concluded Jackson. "We promise to keep leading the charge for bold climate action."
Apple's most recent environmental effort was the donation of an undisclosed sum to preserve grasslands in Kenya and combat climate change.
The company now also runs on 100% renewable energy and has previously invested $300 million to power its supply chain with clean energy.
Apple now also publishes an annual Environmental Responsibility Report charting its ambition and its efforts in focusing on recycling.
Marko Zivkovic
Christine McKee
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10 Comments
But, but, but... no Google, no Amazon, no Microsoft, no Facebook, no Samsung, no Huawei on the list. Only Apple among the big tech companies, Samsung especially. Aren’t they a bigger manufacturer of electronic goods and consumer durables? Why isn’t Samsung 100% renewable like Apple? Why isn’t Samsung investing hundreds of millions in grants for environmental projects like the above Kenya grasslands? Does Samsung have a Liam to disassemble and recycle its smartphones?
The world may have to rely on fossil fuels for some time to come yet but at least Apple is trying to do something about it. What about its competitors?
Oh look Apple is doing the right thing without massive government regulations and interventions and they make good products which cost more and people are willing to pay for it. The real problem is all those consumers who rather buy the cheep stuff which does not make enough profits for a company to do the right thing like Apple. People need to look in the mirror each day and ask themselves are they doing everything they can to help the environment or they too selfish and expect everyone else to do what they should be doing.
I always bought Apple, first because they make great production which do what I need second because they last so long. Unlike all my environmental friends who use PC's and Android product's and replace them every few years where my Mac on average lasted me 8 yrs before needing replace. Individuals need to weight their personal purchasing decisions on what is right for the environment.
Yes Apple buildings are on solar, wind and fuel cells, which is good they are also planning to help their supply chain, but there are two major parts in Apple product which Apple can not help with, that is Aluminum and Glass, the amount of big power to run the furnaces can not be supply by wind, solar or fuel cells.
If Apple wanted to build their campus in New York, they most likely could not since they are now talking about banning the use of glass in building structures due the energy needed to make glass and the fact it not a great insulator of heat transfer