Apple Launches $200 Million 'Restore Fund' to Remove Carbon From Atmosphere

[MacRumors]

Apple today announced a "first-of-its-kind carbon removal initiative" called the Restore Fund that will make investments in forestry projects to remove carbon from the atmosphere while generating a financial return for investors.

Launched with Conservation International and Goldman Sachs, Apple says the $200 million fund aims to remove at least one million metric tons of carbon dioxide annually from the atmosphere, equivalent to the amount of fuel used by over 200,000 passenger vehicles, with a viable financial model aimed at increasing investment in forest restoration.

Apple says this effort is part of the company's goal to become carbon neutral across its entire "value chain" by 2030. Apple plans to directly eliminate 75 percent of emissions for its supply chain and products by 2030, while the fund will help address the remaining 25 percent of Apple's emissions by removing carbon from the atmosphere.

Apple's environmental chief Lisa Jackson:

Nature provides some of the best tools to remove carbon from the atmosphere. Forests, wetlands, and grasslands draw carbon from the atmosphere and store it away permanently in their soils, roots, and branches. Through creating a fund that generates both a financial return as well as real, and measurable carbon impacts, we aim to drive broader change in the future — encouraging investment in carbon removal around the globe. Our hope is that others share our goals and contribute their resources to support and protect critical ecosystems.

As part of this initiative, Apple and Conservation International have partnered with local conservation organizations in Kenya to restore degraded savannas in the Chyulu Hills region. If similar efforts are scaled up across Africa, Apple says savannah restoration could remove hundreds of millions of tons of carbon from the atmosphere each year.

Article Link: Apple Launches $200 Million 'Restore Fund' to Remove Carbon From Atmosphere

 

[Agit21]

Why not 300 million Tim Apple?!

 

[Scipster]

Good for Apple! Slightly more than $1 per purchase til Earth Day.

Now this will make a difference

 

[JEY]

There is nothing more important. Every little bit helps...

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

THis is definitely good move by Apple.

 

[siddavis]

Apple certainly walks the talk on this front and even based on the few details, it seems like a better approach.

 

[nwcs]

This is a drop in the bucket compared to changing the habits of billions of wasteful people and bad industrial practices while clearing nature to build more stuff while already-built stuff just sits unused.

 

[TheSynchronizer]

Now that’s more like it. This, as well as the whole dollar donation thing, is definitely something to be proud of and i’m glad to see Apple actively partake in evermore important environmental initiatives like this.

👏Nicely done Tim

 

[Successful Sorcerer]

This is a drop in the bucket compared to changing the habits of billions of wasteful people and bad industrial practices while clearing nature to build more stuff while already-built stuff just sits unused.

Of course but I got the feeling this is just starting out. Tesla also started a 100 million carbon capture fund. It's time the Silicon Valley rich kids are goin to see this as prestige projects and trying to outbid each other.

 

[telo123]

Awaiting for the trolls to say, “Oh my god, Apple is a trillion dollar company, they should donate MORE!”

As if they ever contributed anything

but for my own opinion, good move Apple!!

 

[Kabeyun]

Another good move. And as a preemptive reply to the anticipated snark, just because Apple doesn’t do everything right doesn’t diminish efforts to do some things right. As far as major corporations go, and certainly versus competitors, Apple has come a long way since being lambasted by Greenpeace, and is without question a leader in moving towards environmental responsibility.

 

[jimbobb24]

Well...plants don’t permanently store carbon. Unless the author of the piece doesn’t actually understand where oil and gas come from but here’s a hint ... it’s plants.

I think it’s a great move by Apple to make sure future human generations will have coal, oil, and gas available because of the trees they plant. Talk about long term vision.

 

[m4mario]

Now all we have to do is wait for people to complain on why Apple is not doing enough charity with it’s share holder’s money.

 

[Deliro]

Someone call Bill Gates, he's got an amazing plan to BLOCK THE SUN. Billionaires with a lot of time on their hands.

 

[1258186]

Yay, the planet is saved!

 

[trip1ex]

now buy new apple stuff every year in fancy packaging. no planet saving user upgrades allowed!!!

or something like that.

 

[hagar]

This is a drop in the bucket compared to changing the habits of billions of wasteful people and bad industrial practices while clearing nature to build more stuff while already-built stuff just sits unused.

Then why don't you contribute by not complaining online? You do realise the internet has a huge CO2 footprint as well? Good for Apple: great initiative!

 

[Jakewilk]

Well...plants don’t permanently store carbon. Unless the author of the piece doesn’t actually understand where oil and gas come from but here’s a hint ... it’s plants.

I think it’s a great move by Apple to make sure future human generations will have coal, oil, and gas available because of the trees they plant. Talk about long term vision.

Oil and gas are not a problem for the environment... there was more oil and gas and coal in the earth in the era before humans than there is today. The real problem is that burning these fuels releases greenhouse gasses. Sequestering carbon in plants, which eventually die and settle far beneath the soil where they become oil over the course of ~300 million years, is the most obvious and practical way to capture carbon. So yes, please make more oil, and gas, and coal! Just don’t burn it...

 

[1258186]

Now all we have to do is wait for people to complain on why Apple is not doing enough charity with it’s share holder’s money.

Of course because greedy rich shareholders are more important than the planet.

 

[1258186]

What’s that, one days profit? It’s just another publicity stunt to deflect criticism away from some of their other actions.

 

[sw1tcher]

Launched with Conservation International and Goldman Sachs, Apple says the $200 million fund aims to remove at least one million metric tons of carbon dioxide annually from the atmosphere, equivalent to the amount of fuel used by over 200,000 passenger vehicles, with a viable financial model aimed at increasing investment in forest restoration.

Unfortunately, this isn't going to offset the deforestation that's been going on and even accelerating.

The Amazon Rainforest Now Emits More Greenhouse Gases Than It Absorbs

Climate change and deforestation have transformed the ecosystem into a net source of planet-warming gases instead of a carbon sink

www.smithsonianmag.com

Tropical Forest Destruction Accelerated in 2020 (Published 2021)

There were bright spots, but the total lost acreage increased by 12 percent over all from the year before, according to new research.

www.nytimes.com

Brazil's Amazon deforestation data mixed ahead of Biden Earth Day summit

Deforestation in Brazil's Amazon rainforest declined in the first quarter, preliminary government data showed, but the drop may be due mostly to more intense cloud cover this year, and experts point to a concerning jump in March destruction.

www.reuters.com

 

[Captain Trips]

Another company recently announced plans to help with climate issues: JPMorgan Chase Targets More Than $2.5 Trillion over 10 Years to Advance Climate Action and Sustainable Development

My point being that it will take more than one company and more than just governmental entities to make progress on this issue.

 

[Maconplasma]

I just love the people criticizing Apple when I’ll bet not a single person criticizing has donated any money.

 

[Razorpit]

Remove the plant food by planting plants. Genius!

 

[danny842003]

Unfortunately, this isn't going to offset the deforestation that's been going on and even accelerating.

The Amazon Rainforest Now Emits More Greenhouse Gases Than It Absorbs

Climate change and deforestation have transformed the ecosystem into a net source of planet-warming gases instead of a carbon sink

www.smithsonianmag.com

Tropical Forest Destruction Accelerated in 2020 (Published 2021)

There were bright spots, but the total lost acreage increased by 12 percent over all from the year before, according to new research.

www.nytimes.com

Brazil's Amazon deforestation data mixed ahead of Biden Earth Day summit

Deforestation in Brazil's Amazon rainforest declined in the first quarter, preliminary government data showed, but the drop may be due mostly to more intense cloud cover this year, and experts point to a concerning jump in March destruction.

www.reuters.com

Is it claimed to offset it?