As its efforts to switch to renewable continue, Apple today announced that it is joining the global renewable energy initiative RE100. In joining the program, Apple will continue to work on its commitment of powering its worldwide operations with 100 percent renewable. As part of the process, Apple will work with its manufacturing supply chain to push clean energy usage in that area, as well.
Apple’s vice president for environment, policy, and social initiatives Lisa Jackson made the announcement today while speaking at Climate Week in New York City. Jackson reaffirmed Apple’s commitment to running on 100 percent renewable energy worldwide. In joining RE100, Apple will be better able to advocate that other companies work towards using 100 percent renewable energy.
While speaking, Jackson also noted of Apple’s continued progress. The Apple executive noted that, in 2015, 93 percent of Apple’s worldwide operations were powered by renewable energy. In the United States, China, and 21 other countries, Apple’s operations are already powered by 100 percent renewable energy.
Apple today also announced that it has finished construction on its most recent renewable energy project. The company has completed constructing a 50-megawatt solar farm in Arizona that will power its data center in Mesa. From the get-go, Apple has promised that this facility would be powered entirely by solar energy.
Apple’s full press release covering its Climate Week announcements can be found below:
Apple today joined global renewable energy initiative RE100, reaffirming its commitment to reaching 100 percent renewable energy worldwide and pledging to work with the initiative to drive clean energy into the manufacturing supply chain.
Lisa Jackson, Apple’s vice president for Environment, Policy and Social Initiatives, announced the membership today during remarks at Climate Week in New York City, and shared additional progress the company is making toward its clean energy goals.
“Apple is committed to running on 100 percent renewable energy, and we’re happy to stand beside other companies that are working toward the same effort,” said Jackson. “We’re excited to share the industry-leading work we’ve been doing to drive renewable energy into the manufacturing supply chain, and look forward to partnering with RE100 to advocate for clean-energy policies around the world.”
Apple is already powering its operations in the US, China and 21 other countries with 100 percent renewable energy; and, in 2015, powered 93 percent of its operations around the world with renewable energy.
The company continues to invest in high-quality, clean energy projects to help it meet and maintain its goal, and Jackson announced today that Apple has completed construction on its latest renewable energy project — a 50-megawatt solar farm in Arizona. Apple worked with local utility Salt River Project on the solar array, which will provide renewable power to Apple’s global command data center in Mesa, Arizona. That’s equal to the energy use of over 12,000 Arizona homes.
Jackson also shared significant updates on the company’s work to help its manufacturing partners make the same transition to clean power that Apple has, announcing renewable energy commitments from major suppliers.
On the heels of Apple supplier Lens Technology’s clean energy commitment announced last month, Solvay Specialty Polymers, which supplies Apple with antenna bands for iPhone, also made a new commitment, pledging 100 percent renewable energy for all Apple production. This covers 14 manufacturing facilities across 8 countries by the end of 2018. Catcher Technology, one of Apple’s largest aluminum enclosure suppliers, also is targeting 100 percent renewable power for its production of Apple goods by the end of 2018, leading to an emission reduction of nearly 600,000 metric tons a year.
Altogether, Apple suppliers’ commitments to-date will represent over 1.5 billion kilowatt hours per year of clean energy used in the manufacturing of Apple products by the end of 2018, equal to the amount of electricity consumed by over 1 million Chinese homes.
