On Monday, Apple pledged 720 million yuan ($99.3 million) to China Clean Fund as its carbon neutral drive enters its second phase, according to a report by China Daily. The fund aims to add about 550,000 megawatt-hours of new wind and solar capacity to China’s grid annually, with energy production expected to grow as new investors join. While announcing this news, Apple Chief Operating Officer Jeff Williams stated
“Our suppliers in China are driving world-class advancements in smart and green manufacturing…with the launch of our second China Clean Energy Fund, we are proud to deepen our collaboration with suppliers across China to advance innovation, opportunity, and progress for the planet we share.”
In 2018, Apple launched the clean energy program in China with a $300 million investment fund managed by Deutsche Bank’s DWS Group. Along with 12 suppliers, Apple invested and developed a range of solar and wind projects to produce more than 1 gigawatt of renewable energy.
The China Clean Energy Fund II aims to replicate the first phase approach, supporting new clean energy projects. The set goals of this fund include
- Contribute to a cleaner electrical grid in China.
- Support clean energy projects which are already in their early stage of development.
- Advance progress towards Apple 2030, the company’s ambition to be carbon neutral in the next five years
- Ensure a neutral ecosystem, including the manufacturing supply chain and the lifetime use of every product.
Since the company initiated its carbon-neutral drive in 2018, two-thirds of Apple’s manufacturing in China has transitioned to renewable energy, and over 100 suppliers have contributed to the fund.
Apple’s Green Drive Timeline
- In 2007, Steve Jobs released an open letter titled ‘A Greener Apple’, announcing the global tech company’s commitment to environmentally friendly products and infrastructure. The letter included a series of plans related to removing mercury from the company’s products, including transitioning to LED backlighting for all displays. It also set a goal to launch recycling programs.
- In 2015, Apple launched the Supplier Clean Energy Program, encouraging supply chain partners to commit to producing their respective wares using 100 percent renewable energy resources.
- By 2016, Apple joined the global initiative RE100, aiming for 100 percent renewable energy.
- In April 2018, Apple made a global headline by announcing that all its global facilities are powered with 100 percent clean energy. This included retail stores, data centers, offices, and co-located facilities in 43 countries.
