Apple has been named a Green Supply Chain CITI Outstanding Brand in China.
As revealed on Apple’s China newsroom, the company has been awarded by CITI for trying to “promote environmental management” in the country.
That’s on top of Apple consistently ranking first in the Corporate Information Transparency Index (CITI) for the past five years, demonstrating its commitment to the region and its power in the tech market.
According to the press release, Apple has been working with IPE on projects designed to “strengthen environmental impacts outside of its own supply chain.”
Apple’s managing director of Greater China, Ge Yue, said in the release that the award represented Apple’s goal of making the world’s best projects, and the most sustainable, too.
“We always believe that to create the best products in the world, we must create products that are most beneficial to the world,” Yue said.
“For this reason, we have been committed to promoting the development of smart and sustainable manufacturing. I am very grateful to Director Ma Jun and IPE for their cooperation with us. We believe that through our joint efforts, we will be able to achieve greater achievements in protecting the Earth and its important resources.”
Apple has worked hard to promote its growing presence in China, most recently signing new deals with local suppliers to increase the sustainability of its manufacturing in the country.
That’s despite trade tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump, which make products shipped from China to the United States more expensive.
Apple is currently swallowing these additional costs, but if the tariffs remain in place, the company could suffer long-term.
IPE director Ma Jun said that Apple had been recognized because of its work collaborating with brands and key stakeholders to “track environmental performance and drive continuous improvement”.
Speaking of the news, Apple said that its clean water project in the country had helped suppliers save an eye-watering 25 billion gallons of water and that it was now looking outside of its own supply chain to improve water management across the board.
Apple added that over 40% of its manufacturing partners are committed to using clean energy in their manufacturing processes – though it’s clear the company has a long way to go.
Last year, the company revealed that all of its operations have achieved 100% renewable energy, and whilst 40% of Apple manufacturing partners are now using 100% clean energy, Apple hopes to increase that number significantly in the years that follow.
What are your thoughts on Apple’s China award? Let us know and check back soon for more news and rumors on Apple and sustainability, as and when we get them.