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Tim Cook, CEO of Apple, is big on environmentalism and the need for tech to be conscious of the environment. In a recent conversation at the China Development Forum, Cook highlighted the significance of artificial intelligence (AI) in mitigating carbon emissions during climate change.
His remarks were preceded by meetings with Commerce Minister Wang Wentao, where Cook disclosed plans for an increased investment in China, according to Bloomberg.
Apple is committed to reducing carbon emissions, with the Apple Watch being the tech giant’s first carbon-neutral product. Cook highlighted the company’s strides toward environmental sustainability and stressed the importance of innovation in achieving these goals.
He noted that AI offers a robust toolkit for companies striving to achieve carbon neutrality or substantial emission reductions.
However, Cook pointed out that Chinese tech companies face challenges in AI development due to US trade sanctions. His visit to China coincides with Beijing’s efforts to demonstrate openness to business opportunities.
Cook also conversed with Chinese Premier Li Qiang and other international CEOs following Li’s address. He emphasized his frequent visits to China over the past year, praising the country’s dynamic environment.
Amidst evolving US-China relations, Cook’s visit prioritized environmental initiatives, potentially to navigate geopolitical sensitivities. Apple has achieved carbon neutrality in its operations and aims to have a net-zero climate impact across its business by 2030.
Additionally, it aims to eliminate plastic from product packaging by 2025. Removing exterior plastic wrap from iPhone 13 packaging prevented 600 metric tons of waste, highlighting the impact of scalable sustainability efforts.
