Apple's Progress On Sustainability Goals

Apple’s push for sustainability in the tech landscape is certainly ambitious, to say the least. From cutting down greenhouse gas emissions to investing in clean energy and water conservation, the smartphone giant’s desire to establish itself as a leader in the space couldn’t have been more apparent.

While intentions may be ‘pure’ (so to speak), scrutiny should be carried out nonetheless, especially since greenwashing still follows the giant like an omnipresent shadow. Perhaps, because of that precisely, Apple has been among the most forthcoming when it comes to reporting its progress on sustainability goals.

In this updated review, we examine Apple’s latest sustainability report to identify where improvements have been made, as well as the questions that still linger. Keep reading to find out if they’ve actually moved the needle, or if ‘going green’ is a mere facade!

A Major Milestone - Over 60% Drop in Emissions

Apple has achieved a major  climate milestone - over 60% drop in emissions (compared to 2015 levels) - as per its 2025 report.  Therefore, it’s on track for its 75% reduction in emissions by 2030 target. Compared to last year when the year-on-year reduction was only 22%, this is a real turning point for.

Given the narrative has shifted from short-term gains to long-term goals, it’s worth unpacking what’s driving this change. A significant proportion of this reduction comes from Apple’s supply chain, and not just its own operations. This shift to renewable energy among suppliers indicates real change across the industry. 

But, how far does Apple’s influence stretch? While compared to competitors like Samsung, Apple is still ahead, the quality of change put forth matters just as much as the numbers (if not more).

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Clean Energy - The Supply Chain Story Gets Bigger

Apple’s strategy hinges heavily on clean energy, and in 2025, the scale shows a positive shift - Apple’s supply chain now uses 17.8 gigawatts of renewable energy, compared to 16.5 gigawatts last year. That has prevented 21.8 million metric tones of emissions in 2024 alone!

The smartphone giant is building momentum by not longer investing in clean energy alone, but by making its suppliers transition. Together, Apple is driving all efforts at tackling fluorinated gases (F-gases), which are extremely potent greenhouse gases released by semiconductors and display manufacturing. Furthermore, it has secured commitments from suppliers to cut F-GHG emissions by 90% by 2030. Will they keep their word?

Recycled Materials In Their Products

Last year, recycled materials felt like a work in progress. In 2025, it’s closer to a finished chapter. 99% of rare earth elements in magnets are now recycled. Also, 99% of cobalt in Apple-designed batteries is recycled, compared to 56% in 2024. As such, a ‘closed loop’ supply chain is increasingly coming into being. 

The Macbook Air leads the initiative on incorporating recycled materials into the build with 55% recycled content. However, Apple’s most popular products such as iPhones and Airpods don’t lead this narrative. This makes its progress feel selective, rather than a holistic priority.

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Water Stewardship - The Underrated Win

Unlike its product launches rife with controversial models such as the iPhone Air, Apple is quietly making progress when it comes to water sustainability. In 2024 alone, it saved 14 billion gallons of water - an additional 90 billion gallons since 2013. That’s a significant jump from last year’s 76 billion gallons total.  To put these enormous figures into perspective, 1 billion gallons of water can fill 1,534 Olympic sized swimming pools and fill 12,500,000 bathtubs.

Apple is also expanding into water replenishment projects, aiming to restore water in high-stress regions. Around 40% of this goal is already underway. Unlike carbon emissions, water impact is highly localised, and directly impacts communities and ecosystems. This is where Apple’s sustainability efforts arguably become more tangible and human, rather than just numerical. It’s also an area where many competitors remain largely silent, giving Apple a genuine edge. 

So, is Apple Actually Delivering?

Apple’s 2025 sustainability report certainly shows notable progress. A staggering 60% of emissions have been, we’ve seen clean energy expand across the supply chain, a near-complete transition to recycled materials, all while growing water conservation targets. These efforts clearly show that Apple’s strategy is changing: funding projects isn't enough, it’s attempting to make the entire supply chain circular.

But with that progress comes higher expectations. The next phase isn’t about hitting targets - it’s about achieving consistency across products, transparency in harder-to-measure areas, and delivering long-term impact beyond headline numbers.

Sources: Apple, Environmental Progress Report 2025. Accessible here.