Apple Environment VP Lisa Jackson Speaks About Apple's Renewable Energy Efforts in Earth Day Live Series - MacRumors
Skip to Content

Apple Environment VP Lisa Jackson Speaks About Apple's Renewable Energy Efforts in Earth Day Live Series

by

Apple's vice president of Environment, Policy and Social Initiatives Lisa Jackson today participated in the Earth Day Live series on Twitch, where she talked about Apple's environmental efforts.

Jackson started things off by speaking a bit about her background and what inspired her to advocate for the environment and join the EPA prior to taking on her current role at Apple.

appleearthday

Before coming to Apple, I led the Environmental Protection Agency under President Obama. But long before that, I was an 8-year-old girl who saw my neighbors in New Orleans battling illness caused by chemical plants in our backyard. A girl who in 1970, wrote a letter to President Nixon imploring him to do something to protect the health of the people and the environment. That same year, we celebrated Earth Day in the U.S. for the very first time. And by the end of 1970, the EPA had officially opened its doors.

At the time, I had no idea I'd go on to work at the EPA and one day lead it, but I did know that at the heart of my concern for the planet was the health of people. Communities, families, people who deserve a healthy place to live, clean water to drink, and clean air to breathe.

Jackson went on to explain that every individual, business, and organization must take action to address climate change. "Policy is one solution, innovation is another," she said before delving into Apple's environmental efforts.

As Apple has said many times in the past, all of its facilities worldwide are run on renewable energy, and it has a program to help suppliers transition to 100 percent renewable energy as well. Apple has also been focusing heavily on using recycled materials in its products, with an ultimate goal of a closed-loop supply chain that relies solely on recycled materials and does not require minerals mined from the earth.

Jackson wrapped up her appearance with an inspiring message for up and coming environmental advocates.

On this 50th anniversary of Earth Day, we have much to be proud of, much to hope for, and much more to accomplish. Today's eight year olds are facing even greater challenges, but they also know a thing or two about the urgent work that lies ahead and that the health of our planet and our neighbors is a cause worth fighting for.

Jackson's full appearance can be watched on Twitch. To celebrate Earth Day, Apple is also highlighting Earth Day related apps in the App Store, but as stores are closed there are no retail store decorations nor is there an Apple Watch activity badge to earn.

Top Rated Comments

needsomecoffee Avatar
85 months ago

False. Apple has a worldwide recycling and trade-in program that takes any Apple device, and their environmental record is second to none. 100% renewable energy in all their facilities, recycled enclosures, great year-over-year reduction in carbon footprint. The numbers speak for themselves. Lisa Jackson is first in class.
A small amount of Apple devices are recycled by Apple. Apple requires all other recyclers to shred Apple devices to ensure they are not broken down for parts. Apple opposes right to repair. Apple heavily restricts access to replacement parts. Yeah, but they buy enough credits to be green, and, obviously, their PR and marketing departments are working well.
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)
sideshowuniqueuser Avatar
85 months ago
While Apple continues to make products with soldered and glued components, and refuse to sell simple spare parts, making it difficult to upgrade, repair, and extend the life of products, any attempt to talk about their care for the environment is vomitous hypocrisy. On this 50th anniversary of Earth Day, Lisa Jackson, your job a joke.
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)
85 months ago
Why can’t Apple just make better products and stop virtue signaling- Steve never did this.

Apple has no moral high ground given how our precious toys are produced
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
85 months ago
While Apple continues to make products with soldered and glued components, and refuse to sell simple spare parts, making it difficult to upgrade, repair, and extend the life of products, any attempt to talk about their care for the environment is vomitous hypocrisy. On this 50th anniversary of Earth Day, Lisa Jackson, your job a joke.
False. Apple has a worldwide recycling and trade-in program that takes any Apple device, and their environmental record is second to none. 100% renewable energy in all their facilities, recycled enclosures, great year-over-year reduction in carbon footprint. The numbers speak for themselves. Lisa Jackson is first in class.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
code-m Avatar
85 months ago

Totally agree. In addition the entire notion of the "renewable energy" is false. Do you know what is amortization period for the solar panels installed on top of the new Apple building? At least 10 years. And this is only financial aspect. How about polluted water which had to be used during production of those panels? If it is not hypocrisy what is it?
Energy is transferred/transformed. Rather than renewable I prefer sustainable, there are too many falsehoods of people and companies marketing to do good when in fact they fail to see the entire picture with its product cycle from design, creation, production (includes acquiring raw materials), transportation, usage and finally disposal (repurposed). Apple is one of the few companies that does a good job, probably because their were under pressure from Green Peace along with other companies and has gradually changed to align its company with the mindset of younger consumers.

Many companies "Green Wash", I am not saying that Apple may or mayn't be participating in this to some degree, I am just saying their track record of recent history is better than others in this space.

It is more environmentally friendly to hold on to an iPhone that will last 3-5 years with the latest iOS update compared to the competition that will be replaced in 18-24 months with maybe 1-2 security updates and if lucky a major OS update. What pollutes more with the entire product cycle compared to an iOS device.


Why can’t Apple just make better products and stop virtue signaling- Steve never did this.

Apple has no moral high ground given how our precious toys are produced
Please read my post.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
85 months ago
The hypocrisy is glaring, as others have pointed out here.
And the snippets of what she said, is meaningless corporate gibberish.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

Apple Environment Feature

Apple Suppliers Face Hurdles Cutting Circuit Board Emissions

Wednesday October 21, 2026 10:15 pm PDT by
Apple's efforts to cut supply chain emissions face persistent challenges among printed circuit board manufacturers, where demand for more advanced components is increasing energy consumption, according to DigiTimes. The report says requirements from Apple and Google are prompting suppliers to publish sustainability reports, buy more renewable electricity, and work with their own suppliers to ...
M5 MacBook Pro

RIP, MacBook Ultra

Monday October 19, 2026 9:37 am PDT by
Apple today sent out invites for an experience in Los Angeles on Wednesday, October 28, and the "Pro and tell" tagline on the invitation likely means that the rumored MacBook models with touch-enabled OLED displays will stick with MacBook Pro branding instead of the once-rumored "MacBook Ultra" name. The long-rumored "iPhone Ultra" ended up being named iPhone Duo, so speculation that Apple...
iPhone Duo Trio

Here's What Apple's Apps Look Like on the iPhone Duo

Tuesday October 20, 2026 11:12 am PDT by
With just three days to go until the iPhone Duo is released, Apple is getting ready for the launch. Behind the scenes, the App Store now has screenshots of Apple's built-in apps running on the Duo. We've seen some apps in marketing materials, but images of the ones we haven't seen give us an idea of what it will be like using the iPhone Duo day to day. Many apps are shown in landscape...
Latest Stories
Apple Will Label Apps 'Made for iPhone Duo' in App Store
Apple Will Label Apps 'Made for iPhone Duo' in App Store
2 hours ago
Amazon Takes $49 Off iPad With Prices Starting at $399.99
Amazon Takes $49 Off iPad With Prices Starting at $399.99
3 hours ago
F1 on Apple TV Now Available in Dolby Atmos
F1 on Apple TV Now Available in Dolby Atmos
3 hours ago
Apple Reveals More Than 50 Apps That Will Be Updated for iPhone Duo
Apple Reveals More Than 50 Apps That Will Be Updated for iPhone Duo
4 hours ago
Apple Blocks Certificates That Could Help Attackers Fake Websites
Apple Blocks Certificates That Could Help Attackers Fake Websites
5 hours ago
Giant iPhone Duo Installations Spotted at Apple Fifth Avenue
Giant iPhone Duo Installations Spotted at Apple Fifth Avenue
6 hours ago
iPhone Duo 2 Prototypes Include Under-Display Face ID
iPhone Duo 2 Prototypes Include Under-Display Face ID
6 hours ago
Tesla App Gains iPad and iPhone Duo Support
Tesla App Gains iPad and iPhone Duo Support
10 hours ago
Apple Reportedly Boosts iPhone Duo Orders by 44%
Apple Reportedly Boosts iPhone Duo Orders by 44%
10 hours ago
Fortnite Returning to Australian App Store After Court Ruling
Fortnite Returning to Australian App Store After Court Ruling
11 hours ago
Apple Ordered to Open iPhone to Rival App Stores in Australia
Apple Ordered to Open iPhone to Rival App Stores in Australia
11 hours ago
Apple Suppliers Face Hurdles Cutting Circuit Board Emissions
Apple Suppliers Face Hurdles Cutting Circuit Board Emissions
12 hours ago
Things Updated for iPhone Duo With Adaptive Layout
Things Updated for iPhone Duo With Adaptive Layout
12 hours ago
Simplicity and Siri AI Are HomeView's Killer Features, Apple Says
Simplicity and Siri AI Are HomeView's Killer Features, Apple Says
12 hours ago
iPhone Duo Reviewers Really Miss Face ID
iPhone Duo Reviewers Really Miss Face ID
17 hours ago
Does the iPhone Duo Run Hot? Here's What Reviews Found
Does the iPhone Duo Run Hot? Here's What Reviews Found
19 hours ago
Apple Music's New Look is Now Live on Apple's Website
Apple Music's New Look is Now Live on Apple's Website
19 hours ago
Anthropic Launches Claude Duet, a Proactive AI Agent
Anthropic Launches Claude Duet, a Proactive AI Agent
20 hours ago
What 32,000 Folds Did to the iPhone Duo's Hinge
What 32,000 Folds Did to the iPhone Duo's Hinge
21 hours ago
iPhone Duo's Hidden FaceTime Camera Takes 'Trash' Photos
iPhone Duo's Hidden FaceTime Camera Takes 'Trash' Photos
22 hours ago
iPhone Duo Has 'Edge Light' Feature That Debuted on Macs Last Year
iPhone Duo Has 'Edge Light' Feature That Debuted on Macs Last Year
23 hours ago
Apple Support App Updated for iPhone Duo's Larger Display
Apple Support App Updated for iPhone Duo's Larger Display
23 hours ago
Amazon Sweetens the Deal on Entry-Level 16-Inch MacBook Pro With $570 Off
Amazon Sweetens the Deal on Entry-Level 16-Inch MacBook Pro With $570 Off
23 hours ago
iPhone Duo Tips Over on MagSafe Stands When Unfolded
iPhone Duo Tips Over on MagSafe Stands When Unfolded
23 hours ago
Apple Music's New Look Officially Announced
Apple Music's New Look Officially Announced
1 day ago
iPhone Duo Supports Apple Pencil Starting With iOS 27.2
iPhone Duo Supports Apple Pencil Starting With iOS 27.2
1 day ago
iPhone Duo Accessories Roundup: Cases and Screen Protectors From OtterBox, ZAGG, and More
iPhone Duo Accessories Roundup: Cases and Screen Protectors From OtterBox, ZAGG, and More
1 day ago
Apple Stores Will Have 'Limited' Availability of iPhone Duo for Walk-In Customers
Apple Stores Will Have 'Limited' Availability of iPhone Duo for Walk-In Customers
1 day ago
iPhone Duo Reviews Explain Why Device is Both 'Fun' and 'Frustrating'
iPhone Duo Reviews Explain Why Device is Both 'Fun' and 'Frustrating'
1 day ago
Apple Says 'Reachability' Feature Coming to iPhone Duo Later This Year
Apple Says 'Reachability' Feature Coming to iPhone Duo Later This Year
1 day ago