In 2025, Apple has emerged as one of the strongest examples of how environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles can be fully embedded into a global business model. The company’s latest sustainability data, released this year, shows that Apple isn’t treating ESG as a separate initiative — it’s making it part of how the company grows, operates, and innovates.

Apple’s Clean Revenue Hits $259 Billion

Apple was ranked first on the 2025 Clean200 list by Corporate Knights, a global ranking of companies generating revenue from products and services aligned with the clean economy.

In 2024, Apple generated $259 billion in clean revenue — representing 71% of its total revenue. This includes energy-efficient devices, products made from recycled materials, and services supporting circular economy goals. These numbers are not just impressive; they set a new benchmark for the scale at which sustainability can be integrated into a company’s core business.

Over 60% Reduction in Emissions

Apple committed to becoming carbon neutral across its supply chain and product lifecycle by 2030. As of its latest update, the company has already reduced overall greenhouse gas emissions by over 60% compared to its 2015 baseline.

In 2024 alone, Apple avoided 41 million metric tons of CO₂ emissions. This was achieved without relying on offsets — instead, Apple changed product design, supplier practices, and energy sourcing.

The Supplier Clean Energy Program continues to be a major driver of this progress, enabling suppliers to build over 17.8 gigawatts of renewable energy capacity. The company reports that its supply chain generated over 31 million MWh of clean electricity in the past year.

A Circular Approach to Product Design

Apple has redesigned many of its components to incorporate high levels of recycled content. In 2024:

100% of the magnets in Apple products used recycled rare earth elements
100% of Apple-designed batteries used recycled cobalt
24% of all materials in Apple products were recycled or renewable

These changes reflect a shift toward building products with long-term environmental performance in mind, from raw materials to end-of-life reuse.

Strong Progress on Inclusion and Fair Pay

Apple has made significant gains in social equity across its workforce and leadership. By 2024:

Women made up nearly 40% of Apple’s global workforce
In the U.S., underrepresented racial and ethnic groups made up 38.6% of the workforce
Apple reached gender parity on its board of directors (four men and four women)
The company maintained 100% pay equity across gender and race globally

Apple’s diversity and inclusion programs remain fully supported by shareholders, with a 97% vote in favor of continuing these efforts at the 2024 annual meeting. The company continues to invest in community initiatives like its Racial Equity and Justice Initiative and employee education programs across its supply chain.

Governance Aligned With ESG

Apple’s board of directors oversees ESG progress and includes a wide range of expertise in technology, finance, education, and public policy. ESG metrics are tied to executive compensation, ensuring top-level accountability. Governance at Apple also extends to business ethics, cybersecurity, responsible sourcing, and data privacy — all of which are tracked through publicly available disclosures.

Global Recognition Based on Performance

Apple’s ESG performance has been widely recognized:

Ranked #1 on the Clean200 global sustainability list
Listed among the Top 5 Most Sustainable Companies of 2024 by Sustainability Magazine
Maintains an AA rating in MSCI ESG assessments
Achieved leadership scores in CDP’s climate reporting index

These recognitions are based on actual outcomes and audited data, not just commitments or narratives.

What Makes Apple’s Approach Work

Apple’s progress shows that a large multinational can make serious progress on sustainability without slowing growth. The key factors that set their approach apart:

Long-term planning tied to specific goals and timelines
Integration of ESG into operations, not separate from them
Clear governance, with board-level oversight and internal accountability
Consistent, transparent reporting with year-on-year metrics
Product and supply chain design changes that deliver environmental benefits at scale

As Lisa Jackson, Apple’s Vice President of Environment, Policy and Social Initiatives, said earlier this year:

“We believe in pushing for more innovation and more progress. Climate change isn’t waiting — and neither are we.”

Apple still has work to do, but its results in 2024–2025 show how ESG can be more than a framework — it can be a foundation for global business leadership.

For more insights like this, subscribe to ESG Compass — where we decode the future of responsible business.

Explore ESG Solutions on our marketplace - OneStop ESG Marketplace.

Keep abreast of the top ESG Events on OneStop ESG Events.

OneStop ESG Educate: Your go-to source for top ESG courses and training programs tailored to your needs.