Greenpeace applauds Apple’s renewable energy commitment in China, urges competitors to follow

Beijing.- In response to Apple’s announcement that it will work with its partners in China to push to use renewable energy for the manufacturing of Apple products, Greenpeace USA Senior IT Sector Analyst, Gary Cook said:

“We need governments and companies to transition us to renewable energy as rapidly as possible, and Apple’s announcement today is a major step forward in building a renewably powered supply chain for its products. We have seen Apple lead the sector in building a renewably powered internet, and hope that Samsung, Microsoft, and other IT companies will follow their lead in manufacturing their cutting-edge devices with a 21st century energy supply.

“Apple now has the chance to secure its position as environmental leader by tackling the issue hazardous substances in products and manufacturing processes, as well as addressing the issue of electronic waste.”

Electronics manufacturing uses large amounts of energy in China and globally and is growing rapidly, estimated to be as much as 2% of total global electricity use by 2017. (1) Much of the electronics manufacturing industry is based in China, which relies heavily on coal for electricity generation, underscoring the importance of shifting manufacturing toward renewable energy to reduce air pollution and carbon emissions.

The electronics sector should look beyond renewable energy, and address sustainability aspects of design through to recycling and extended use. On hazardous chemicals, Apple has been leading the sector by phasing out PVC from all products, however, Greenpeace urges the whole sector to remove other hazardous substances such as BFRs and benzene from both its product and supply chain.