Apple Looks to Increase Ocean Shipping to Reduce Carbon Emissions

Tech giant Apple is taking steps to further reduce its carbon emissions by increasing its use of ocean shipping.

This initiative is part of Apple’s ongoing commitment to combat climate change and achieve its ambitious goal of making every product carbon neutral by 2030.

Last month, Apple announced its first-ever carbon neutral products with the launch of the new Apple Watch lineup. Through innovative design and clean energy advancements, the company has achieved significant reductions in product emissions, surpassing 75 percent per watch.

Transporting products globally accounts for about 9 percent of Apple’s carbon footprint. To address this, Apple is shifting a larger portion of its product volume to shipping modes with lower carbon intensity, such as ocean and rail transportation. According to Apple’s carbon footprint methodology, shipping a product by ocean emits 95 percent fewer emissions compared to air transport.

For the carbon neutral Apple Watch models, including both watches and bands, Apple plans to ship at least 50 percent of the combined weight using non-air modes, effectively cutting total transportation emissions nearly in half.

Additionally, the packaging of all Apple Watch Series 9 and SE models has been redesigned for compactness, allowing for 25 percent more devices per shipment.

Apple is not only focused on its own transportation emissions but is also committed to supporting broader efforts to decarbonize the shipping industry. The company is a member of the First Movers Coalition and actively supports research and analysis to identify sustainable aviation fuel pathways. Furthermore, Apple seeks out technical innovations and selects vendors that offer low-carbon options, including alternative fuels and electric vehicles, to drive further decarbonization in the industry.

Lisa Jackson, Apple’s vice president of Environment, Policy, and Social Initiatives, spoke about the company’s dedication to combating climate change. “Our focus on renewable energy and low-carbon design has already led to significant emissions reductions, and we’re continuing to push forward,” said Jackson. “Achieving carbon neutrality for our popular Apple Watch is a crucial milestone, and we will continue to innovate to address the urgency of the climate crisis.”

Apple’s commitment to reducing carbon emissions and embracing sustainable practices sets an example for the tech industry and highlights the importance of corporate environmental responsibility.

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