Tim Cook urges world to move to a 'carbon-neutral economy'

Apple CEO Tim Cook

Last updated 3 years ago

Speaking to the United Nations Climate Ambition Summit on Saturday, Cook says Apple will wear its presence among the group of advocates and leaders attending the summit as "a badge of duty," before warning that everyone "has a particular burden to act" on the environment,

Mentioning how Apple became carbon neutral for its corporate emissions and assisting 95 of its suppliers to transition to 100% renewable energy, Cook also raises the pledge for Apple to become carbon neutral throughout its entire supply chain and product usage by 2030.

"The choice between the bottom line and the future of our planet is a false one, and each new green innovation offers the proof," Cook said. He then declared "this is no time for changes of the margins," and that together the group can "transition to a carbon-neutral economy and usher in a new era of inclusive opportunity.

The summit, held on the fifth anniversary of the national Paris climate agreements, is billed as providing a "meaningful platform for civil society, young people and Indigenous Peoples representatives, many of whom disproportionately experience the impacts of climate change."

New goals will be set based on the "mitigation," "adaption," and "finance commitments" of the Paris Agreement, which member countries will attempt to undertake.

Cook's commentary follows statements about Apple's sustainability goals at the 30th annual Ceres gala in 2019, when he said "Companies have a responsibility to use their innovation and agility to lead on the climate crisis."

Cook's full speech follows:

Thank you to all of the advocates and leaders joining us today.

This is an important gathering, and we at Apple don't take our presence in this group lightly. We wear it as a badge of duty. At this moment of historic urgency, every leader of nations, of companies, and of communities has a particular burden to act.

This year, Apple has accelerated our progress. We became carbon neutral for our worldwide corporate emissions. Already, we're helping 95 of our suppliers transition to 100% renewable energy, a number we continue to grow.

We've unveiled a plan, unrivaled in its ambition, to achieve carbon neutrality for our entire supply chain and product usage by 2030 — 20 years before the goal set by the United Nations. We see every part of our device lifecycle, from design, to manufacturing, to durability and repair, to recycling, as an opportunity for environmental innovation, moving us towards our goal of a closed-loop supply chain.

The choice between the bottom line and the future of our planet is a false one, and each new green innovation offers the proof.

This is no time for changes of the margins. Together, we can transition to a carbon-neutral economy and usher in a new era of inclusive opportunity.

This is a moment for ambition, cooperation, and leadership. We at Apple are proud to be your partner, and we call on companies and governments around the world to do all we can to make 2021 the year we turn the corner for good.