Apple launches new clean-energy fund in China

Apple has announced a first-of-its-kind investment fund in China that will connect suppliers with renewable energy sources. Ten initial suppliers and Apple will jointly invest nearly $300 million over the next four years into the China Clean Energy Fund, as part of the company’s commitment to address climate change and increase the use of renewable energy within its supply chain,

Apple is investing in over 485 MW of clean energy projects across six provinces in China, which will address upstream emissions in the company’s supply chain.

The fund will invest in and develop clean-energy projects, totaling more than 1 GW of renewable energy in China — the equivalent of powering nearly one million homes.

“We’re thrilled so many of our suppliers are participating in the fund and hope this model can be replicated globally to help businesses of all sizes make a significant positive impact on our planet,” said Lisa Jackson, Apple’s vice president of Environment, Policy and Social Initiatives.

Transitioning to clean energy can be complex. This is particularly true for smaller companies that may not have access to viable clean energy sources. By virtue of its size and scale, the China Clean Energy Fund will give its participants the advantage of greater purchasing power and the ability to attain more attractive and diverse clean energy solutions.

The China Clean Energy Fund will be managed through a third party, DWS Group, which specializes in sustainable investments and will also invest in the fund.

This news follows Apple’s announcement earlier this year that its global facilities are powered by 100% clean energy and the launch of its Supplier Clean Energy Program in 2015. Since that program began, 23 manufacturing partners, operating in more than 10 different countries, have committed to powering all of their Apple production with 100% clean energy.

Apple and its suppliers will generate more than 4 GW of new clean energy worldwide by 2020 — representing one-third of Apple’s current manufacturing electricity footprint. Apple is also working with its suppliers to find new ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The company recently announced it reached a breakthrough with aluminum suppliers Alcoa Corporation and Rio Tinto Aluminum on a new technology, which eliminates direct greenhouse gas emissions from the traditional smelting process, a key step in aluminum production.