#8⏐Carbon neutral Apple watch explained
Cut in electricity emissions is a key contributing factor..
1. How did Apple achieve carbon neutral with Apple watch series 9?
Apple managed to balance out all S9 related emissions through
78% cut in emissions chiefly through the shift to renewable electricity.
Increase in the use of recycled materials made small contribution.
purchasing carbon credits to offset the remaining unavoidable emissions across the value chain.
2.What are unavoidable emissions?
Some of unavoidable emissions are hard to cut unless there are major technology breakthrough. Top three sources of unavailable emissions:
Materials and process (70%): Less-carbon intensive alternatives to key materials (such as copper, zinc) are not widely available. Key components of electronic devices require the use of high-performance materials, limiting the use of recycled materials.
Emissions cut in transportation is achieved through reduction in carbon intensive air shipping and more compact packaging etc.
Emissions from renewable energy occur during the grid transmission and distribution of electricity. Renewable energy is not 100% emissions free.
3. What’s the implications for Apple to reach the goal 100% product carbon neutrality?
Apple watch S9 carbon neutral trajectory suggests the limitation in emissions avoidance in non-electricity factors.
Apple expects carbon offsets will play a bigger role to reach net zero by 2030 with gross emissions cut by 75% from 2015 baseline.
