​Apple to go greener in China

Apple is launching a forestland renewable energy and environmental protection program in China that could potentially protect as much as 1 million acres of managed working forests in the country.

Managed forests provide fibre for pulp, paper, and wood products for the company.

Apple has also announced its intent to expand its renewable energy projects to its manufacturing facilities in China.

Lisa Jackson, Apple's vice president of environmental initiatives, said the programs are part of the company's worldwide goal to achieve a net-zero impact on the world's supply of sustainable virgin fibre, and power all operations globally on 100 percent renewable energy.

"Forests, like energy, can be renewable resources," she said. "We believe we can run on naturally renewable resources and ensure that we protect -- and create -- as much sustainable working forest as needed to produce the virgin paper in our product packaging. This is an important step toward that goal and our commitment to leave the world better than we found it."

The announcement follows Apple recently launching its first major solar project in the Sichuan Province of China to help power all of its corporate offices and retail stores in the country. Apple is partnering with Leshan Electric Power, Sichuan Development Holding, Tianjin Tsinlien Investment, Tianjin Zhonghuan Semiconductor, and SunPower Corporation to create two 20-megawatt solar farms. Together, the project is expected to generate up to 80 million kilowatt hours per year of clean energy, enough to power the equivalent of 61,000 Chinese homes.

According to Apple, 87 percent of its global operations today run on renewable energy, and the Sichuan Province solar project would bring it closer to its commitment to reach 100 percent. At the same time, the solar project will help minimise the company's ecological impact and protect the grasslands that support the local yak population.