Apple ranked as highest scoring corporation for climate influence

Tech giant Apple's continuous drive to champion renewable energy has seen it top a list of more than 150 companies - including rivals Microsoft and Google - to receive the first 'A+ grade' from a sustainability analysis group.


Research from London-based analyst InfluenceMap has placed Apple in the highest scoring bracket for company support towards ambitious climate policies, with its increased drive in renewable uptake, support for national policies and willingness to distance itself from controversial trade associations acting as driving factors. (Scroll down for report).

A summary attached to Apple’s scorecard in the report states: “Apple is notable for its support for action on climate change and is positively engaged in a number of policy areas. The company communicates a clear position on climate change science and appears to support a correspondingly urgent response, including achieving zero-net emissions by 2050.

“Apple’s CEO Tim Cook has been particularly active and vocal, especially in the lead up to a UN Treaty on climate change in Paris 2015, about the need to act on climate change. He has further been emphasizing the positive economic case for taking progressive action immediately; even challenging climate sceptics to sell their stocks in Apple if they do not agree with investing in the renewable economy.”

In the wake of December’s Paris Agreement, InfluenceMap has been forensically analysing and ranking the largest companies in the world in relation to stances on climate policy. Apple was the only company to receive an A+ grade. By comparison, the second highest scorers, healthcare company GlaxoSmithKline and Deutsche Telekom both scored A-.

While the scoring provides a positive outlook for companies such as Google and Tesla – which scored a ‘B grade’ – Valero Energy, Reliance Industries, Phillips 66 and Koch Industries all received the lowest grade.

An apple a day

Apple – which quit the ‘climate-obstructive’ US Chamber of Commerce in 2009 – cut carbon emissions by almost 14,000 tonnes in 2015, as the firm continued its drive to improve supply chain sustainability and ethics.

Earlier this month, the firm signed a joint letter alongside Google, Amazon and Microsoft to announce the tech industry’s support of President Obama’s Clean Power Plan. Other recent sustainability announcements from the company include 93% of its facilities now being powered by renewable energy, and a plan to use China as a hub for renewable capacity.  

Influence Map report (April 2016)

Matt Mace

Action inspires action. Stay ahead of the curve with sustainability and energy newsletters from edie

Subscribe