## Apple’s Reduced Focus on Climate Impact Raises Concerns
Apple has been a leading advocate for reducing climate impact in the tech industry. However, at this year’s product launch event, the company spent only a few minutes discussing its environmental commitments. This shift in focus has raised concerns about the company’s dedication to meaningful progress on carbon emissions.
### Apple Watch Takes the Spotlight
Once again, the Apple Watch took center stage in terms of climate news at the event. In previous years, only the aluminum and Ultra models were claimed to be carbon neutral. However, this year, even the higher-end versions with a recycled titanium case qualify as carbon neutral. Apple’s COO, Jeff Williams, emphasized that any Apple Watch in any finish can be carbon neutral, but users must select a qualifying band.
### The Caveats of Being “Carbon Neutral”
While Apple’s commitment to carbon neutrality is commendable, there are some caveats to consider. When the company cannot eliminate the use of fossil fuels in its materials supply chain, it purchases carbon credits to offset the emissions. However, the market for carbon credits has faced challenges with lax enforcement and scandals, raising concerns about the effectiveness of this approach. Apple may take extra precautions to vet the credits it buys, but improvements to the system are necessary.
### Lack of Climate Progress for the iPhone
One notable omission from the event was significant climate progress for the iPhone. Although the base model now has 85% recycled content in its enclosure, and the iPhone Pro features a 100% recycled aluminum chassis, there were no major announcements regarding the iPhone’s carbon footprint reduction. Apple’s environmental product report does mention a 1 kg decrease in carbon emissions for the iPhone 16 Plus compared to the previous generation, but the vanilla iPhone 16 remains unchanged.
### Prioritizing the Apple Watch
The divergence in climate progress between the Apple Watch and the iPhone is not surprising. The Apple Watch, being a niche product that uses fewer materials, is easier to produce with renewable or low-carbon electricity. Lessons learned from building the Watch in an environmentally friendly manner could eventually be applied to the iPhone and Mac. While Apple has not explicitly committed to this path, it is a trend worth monitoring.
In conclusion, Apple’s reduced focus on its climate impact during this year’s product launch event has raised concerns about the company’s commitment to meaningful progress on carbon emissions. While the Apple Watch continues to lead the way in terms of carbon neutrality, there is a need for more significant climate progress for the iPhone. As Apple continues to innovate, it is crucial for the company to prioritize sustainability across all its products and supply chains.
