How Apple is Exceeding Its Emissions Reduction Targets
Global tech giant Apple has announced that it is ahead of schedule when it comes to emissions reductions, recording a 60% reduction in global greenhouse gas emissions compared to its 2015 levels.
This success represents a real milestone on Apple’s road to achieving carbon neutrality across its operations by 2030.
The US company shared these environmental achievements in its annual Environmental Progress Report released ahead of Earth Day on 22 April 2025.
"We're incredibly proud of the progress we're making toward Apple 2030, which touches every part of our business," says Lisa Jackson, Apple's Vice President of Environment, Policy and Social Initiatives.
"As we get closer to 2030, the work gets even harder — and we're meeting the challenge with innovation, collaboration and urgency."
Looking forward, Apple is aiming to cut emissions by 75%, before applying carbon credits for remaining emissions.
Last year, Apple's comprehensive reduction efforts reportedly avoided an estimated 41 million metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions and it is replicating that same progress in 2025.
Supply chain transformations
In order to decarbonise, Apple has focused on its supply chain.
The company has introduced renewable energy across its global operations wherever possible.
There are now 17.8 gigawatts of renewable electricity throughout Apple's global supply chain.
This renewable energy procurement by suppliers avoided 21.8 million metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions in 2024, representing over 17% increase from the previous year.
Additionally, energy efficiency improvements helped suppliers avoid nearly two million metric tons of emissions in the past year.
Apple has secured commitments from 26 semiconductor suppliers to reduce at least 90% of fluorinated greenhouse gases from their Apple-related production facilities by 2030.
All of the company's direct display suppliers have made similar pledges.
In 2024, these display and semiconductor suppliers abated 8.4 million metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions.
Apple’s approach to circularity
The company reports reaching 99% of its 2025 goals to use fully recycled rare earth elements in all magnets and recycled cobalt in all Apple-designed batteries.
Magnets represent the most significant use of rare earth elements across Apple products.
Apple-designed batteries comprise more than 97% of the company's total cobalt use.
The company's Zero Waste programme with suppliers diverted approximately 600,000 metric tons of waste from landfills in 2024.
This brings the total to 3.6 million metric tons since the programme began in 2015, equivalent to eliminating 4.5 million square metres of landfill space.
Product sustainability milestones
Apple's environmental efforts are increasingly evident in its product line-up.
Earlier this year, the company introduced a new MacBook Air with more than 55% recycled content overall, which Apple claims is the highest in any of its products.
Last year, Apple released its first carbon neutral Mac with the new Mac mini.
The company now offers carbon neutral options for any Apple Watch in any material.
Water conservation
Despite the successes in recycling and emissions reduction, Apple is lagging slightly when it comes to its water conservation targets.
This firm has partnerships in place for just 40% of its 2030 target to replenish all freshwater withdrawals in high-stress locations.
The company’s progress on water has not been insignificant, though.
Apple and its suppliers have saved more than 90 billion gallons of fresh water since launching the Supplier Clean Water Program in 2013.
The average water reuse rate by participating suppliers reached 42% last year.
This resulted in saving 14 billion gallons of fresh water in 2024 alone.
Apple has set a target to replenish 100% of freshwater withdrawals in high-stress locations by 2030.
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