Apple plans to fight climate change despite Trump agenda

By

One of Apple's many solar farms.
One of Apple's many solar farms.
Photo: Apple

While President Donald Trump gets busy gutting the Environmental Protection Agency, many of America’s largest companies plan to fight climate change without his help, including Apple.

During the reign of Tim Cook, Apple has made renewable energy and going green one of its top priorities. According to a new report, that won’t change now that there’s a new administration in the White House.

Trump signed an executive order Tuesday that rescinded former President Barack Obama’s climate rules and his orders that forced the government to consider climate change on leasing building and whether oil pipelines should be built. Apple, Alphabet, Amazon and Microsoft released a joint statement after the order was signed.

“We believe that strong clean energy and climate policies, like the Clean Power Plan, can make renewable energy supplies more robust and address the serious threat of climate change while also supporting American competitiveness, innovation, and job growth.”

Going green is good business

Both Walmart and Apple told Bloomberg they plan to continue their efforts to fight global warming, saying the policies are now part of their overall philosophy.

“This work is embedded in our business,” said Walmart spokesman Kevin Gardner in an email to Bloomberg. “[It’s] good for the business, our shareholders and customers; if ultimately we are able to positively impact the environment in the process, that’s a win too.”

Apple invested heavily in renewable energy in recent years. Now the company’s U.S. retail stores run on 100 percent renewable energy. The company set a goal of becoming completely carbon neutral throughout its supply chain, too. Cook has called on other companies to follow Cupertino’s lead, saying this is one Apple idea he wants others to copy.

Newsletters

Daily round-ups or a weekly refresher, straight from Cult of Mac to your inbox.

  • The Weekender

    The week's best Apple news, reviews and how-tos from Cult of Mac, every Saturday morning. Our readers say: "Thank you guys for always posting cool stuff" -- Vaughn Nevins. "Very informative" -- Kenly Xavier.