Apple today announced an expansion of its renewable energy and environmental protection initiatives in China, including a new multi-year project with World Wildlife Fund to significantly increase responsibly managed forests across China. The new forestland program aims to protect as much as one million acres of responsibly managed working forests which provide fiber for pulp, paper and wood products. Apple claims that it is seeking a net-zero impact on the world’s supply of sustainable virgin fiber and power all its operations worldwide on 100 percent renewable energy.
“We’ve set an example by greening our data centers, retail stores and corporate offices, and we’re ready to start leading the way toward reducing carbon emissions from manufacturing,” said Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO. “This won’t happen overnight-in fact it will take years-but it’s important work that has to happen, and Apple is in a unique position to take the initiative toward this ambitious goal. It is a responsibility we accept. We are excited to work with leaders in our supply chain who want to be on the cutting edge of China’s green transformation.”
Today’s announcements come three weeks after Apple launched its first major solar project in China, and a month after a similar woodland initiative was announced inside the US. Solar installations in Sichuan Province will generate far more energy than needed to power all of Apple’s corporate offices and retail stores in China.
Apple is partnering with Leshan Electric Power, Sichuan Development Holding, Tianjin Tsinlien Investment Holding, Tianjin Zhonghuan Semiconductor, and SunPower Corporation on the project encompassing two 20MW solar farms. Together the project will generate up to 80 million kilowatt hours per year of clean energy, enough to power the equivalent of 61,000 Chinese homes.
