Apple to partner with suppliers for 2 GW of clean energy in China

Apple Inc (NASDAQ:AAPL) on Wednesday unveiled a clean energy push in China, planning to build 200 MW of solar capacity and to partner with its local suppliers for 2 GW of clean energy in the coming years.

The US technology giant announced two new programmes designed to reduce the carbon footprint of its manufacturing partners in China. One of the initiatives envisages a significant expansion of the firm's clean-energy investments in the country, including the construction of more than 200 MW of solar projects in China's northern, eastern and southern grid regions to offset a portion of the energy used in the group's supply chain. Apple also announced the completion of 40 MW of solar projects in Sichuan Province, meaning its Chinese offices and retail stores are now carbon neutral.

Under the other initiative, Apple wants to encourage a shift towards clean energy use and energy efficiency at its manufacturing partners. It said it would partner with suppliers in the country to install over 2 GW of clean energy in the coming years. As part of this programme, Foxconn will build 400 MW of solar by 2018, starting in the Henan Province.

"Climate change is one of the great challenges of our time, and the time for action is now," said Apple chief executive Tim Cook. The two programmes will avoid over 20 million tonnes of greenhouse gas pollution in China between now and 2020, the company calculates.

Apple is currently powering 100% of its operations in China and the US, and more than 87% of its activities worldwide, with renewable energy.

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