Talking at a climate conference, Apple's environment executive Lisa Jackson said the company believes in regulation, and also in how sustainable design requires working directly with communities.
Lisa Jackson, Apple's VP of Environment, Policy, and Social Initiatives
As vice president of environment, policy and social initiatives, Jackson is one of several Apple executives who have been tipped to succeed Tim Cook. At Climate Week NYC, she's been talking to entrepreneur leaders across all industries, and according to Inc. magazine, advised them all to work with communities.
"If you design an answer in a vacuum away from the community that's impacted and away from the people who have to live with it and use it, it's not going to be a solution," she said. Specifically regarding Silicon Valley, she added that "we're so smart [there], but communities know what they need, as well."
Jackson also said that regulation over environmental issues was both welcome and essential. She said that it levels the playing field for all companies.
"For companies who are stepping up to do more, to do things that they aren't required to do by law," said Jackson, "it shouldn't be at a disadvantage because another company isn't even doing the minimum."
"I believe strongly in the role of regulation [and] in the idea that equity, justice, health, rely on somebody who's going to enforce the incredibly important regulations around air and water and land and pesticides and toxics and all the things that [the Environmental Protection Agency] is tasked to do under law," she added.
Asked for careers advice for people looking to follow her lead in working in environment and sustainability, she said simply, "Do science."
"But then I also say you don't have to be 'environmental' anything. I was a chemical engineer," she added, and recounted how Tim Cook had said during her interview that he liked that she was an engineer.
Jackson said that to be able to change people's minds, you need to be able to think the way they do, and to understand the complex topics.
Lisa Jackson does not give many interviews, but in a separate 2023 one she also touched on how Apple sees "education is the ladder, the way to equity," in her role with the company's Racial Equity and Justice Initiative.