Carbon Footprint
Apple Doubles Down on Carbon Removal with Solar and Forest Projects Across Oceania
Apple is expanding its clean energy and nature restoration projects in Australia and Aotearoa, New Zealand. The company announced new solar power deals in Victoria. It also launched large-scale forest restoration projects in both the North and South Islands of New Zealand. These investments are part of Apple’s broader plan to achieve carbon-neutral products and supply chains by 2030.
The initiatives will provide more renewable energy for Apple customers. They will also boost the company’s efforts in verified carbon removal.
Lisa Jackson, Apple’s Vice President of Environment, Policy and Social Initiatives, said:
“By 2030, we want our users to know that all the energy it takes to charge their iPhone or power their Mac is matched with clean electricity. We’re proud to do our part to support Australia’s transition to a cleaner grid and drive positive impacts for communities and nature.”
The tech giant says the Australian projects will produce more than 1 million megawatt-hours (MWh) of clean electricity each year. Meanwhile, the New Zealand forest program aims to restore and protect around 8,600 hectares of land.
Powering Australia: Apple’s Solar Leap Forward
Apple’s new renewable energy agreement centers on the Lancaster Solar Project in Victoria. The site could deliver between 80 and 108 megawatts (MW) of solar capacity when fully operational. Construction is now underway, and the first energy is expected to reach Australia’s grid within the next few years.
This project marks Apple’s first major power purchase agreement (PPA) in Australia. The company will match clean energy generation with the electricity Australians use to charge their devices. In effect, the company will offset the electricity footprint of its customers’ daily device use with a new renewable supply.
Industry analysts note that corporate PPAs like Apple’s are a major driver of Australia’s energy transition. Corporate demand for clean power funds new renewable projects. It also pushes developers to grow their capacity. By committing to large volumes of generation, Apple is helping to strengthen Australia’s grid reliability while lowering emissions.
Apple’s PPA for the 108 MW in Victoria is a key renewable energy deal in Australia. However, it is mid-sized compared to the overall market. The largest corporate PPAs, such as Rio Tinto’s 1.3 GW Upper Calliope Solar Farm agreement, dwarf Apple’s PPA by over tenfold in capacity.
The iPhone maker’s new PPA is still significant. It’s the company’s first major one in Australia. It reflects the trend of tech companies driving the demand for clean energy. This boosts grid reliability and cuts emissions.
Restoring Nature: A Greener New Zealand Partnership
In parallel, Apple’s Restore Fund will invest in restoring and protecting native forest ecosystems across New Zealand. The company is working with Climate Asset Management. This group is a joint venture of HSBC Asset Management and Pollination.
The project will span about 8,600 hectares in total, with several sites in the Central North Island and one in the South Island. The restoration plan includes:
- Replanting native trees,
- Improving forest management, and
- Conserving existing woodlands.
These activities aim to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere while improving biodiversity and local water quality.
Apple states that its Restore Fund projects use strict carbon accounting standards and have third-party verification. Apart from carbon storage, the company expects measurable benefits for ecosystems and local communities.
Native reforestation helps make New Zealand’s landscapes stronger. It fights floods, reduces erosion, and boosts resilience against climate stress.
- SEE MORE on Apple:
Two Paths, One Goal: Clean Power Meets Carbon Removal
Apple plans to address energy and land-use emissions by combining solar energy with reforestation. Solar projects directly decarbonize electricity. Meanwhile, forest work removes carbon from the atmosphere.
This “two-track” model fits Apple’s global sustainability plan. The company already powers all of its offices, retail stores, and data centers with 100% renewable electricity. But a large portion of its footprint comes from manufacturing and product use — areas that require new solutions.
The Australia–New Zealand program focuses on two key areas: using renewables to power devices and offsetting leftover emissions with verified removals.
Measuring Apple’s Real-World Impact
Apple has pledged to publish regular updates on both the renewable and forest projects. Key metrics include:
- Clean-energy generation: more than 1 million MWh per year in Australia.
- Forest coverage: 8,600 hectares under protection or restoration in New Zealand.
- Carbon removal: verified carbon credits from restored native forests over the next 20 years.
- Local benefits: jobs in solar construction, sustainable forestry, and biodiversity monitoring.
The company also emphasizes engagement with local communities. In New Zealand, this means working with iwi (Māori group) and local councils. They help ensure projects match land use and cultural needs. In Australia, teaming up with local contractors will create short-term construction jobs and long-term maintenance roles.
READ MORE:
- Apple’s Clean Energy Blueprint: A Huge Leap with a 60% Carbon Cut
- Apple’s Earnings and (AAPL) Stock Up, Emissions Down: How Its 2030 Vision Is Paying Off
How This Fits into Apple’s 2030 Roadmap
Apple has reduced its total emissions by more than 45% since 2015, even as its business has grown. The company aims for net-zero by 2030. It will reduce most emissions directly and use reliable carbon removals for the rest.
The Restore Fund started in 2021 with $200 million. In 2023, it got another $200 million. It invests in nature-based projects around the globe. Goldman Sachs and Climate Asset Management co-manage it.
The focus is on financial returns tied to verified carbon outcomes. The New Zealand initiative represents one of the fund’s largest projects in the Asia-Pacific region so far.
On the energy side, Apple and its suppliers now operate more than 16 gigawatts of renewable capacity globally. The Australian PPA adds another piece to that network and supports Apple’s goal of using clean electricity across its entire value chain.
What It Means for Australia and New Zealand
For Australia and New Zealand, Apple’s participation brings attention and investment to emerging climate markets. In Australia, companies like Apple, Amazon, and Microsoft are speeding up new solar and wind projects. The sector generated over 35% of the nation’s electricity from renewables in 2024, a record high.
In New Zealand, restoring forests is key to hitting national emissions goals. The government plans to plant and restore one billion trees by 2030. Private-sector investment will help cover funding and capacity needs. As such, Apple’s Restore Fund investments help meet national goals. They also boost biodiversity and support community livelihoods.
A Template for Tech
Apple’s latest expansion highlights the merging of technology, clean energy, and nature-based climate action. By connecting renewable power in Australia with forest restoration in New Zealand, the company is building a region-wide portfolio of verified, measurable climate initiatives.
The next few years will show how well these projects keep their promises. This includes generating megawatt-hours of solar power and restoring hectares of healthy forest. Transparent reporting, third-party audits, and community partnerships will be key to maintaining credibility.
If Apple succeeds, its model could show other global companies how to invest in clean energy and restore nature for real climate progress.
- FURTHER READING: Apple Stock (AAPL) Goes Green: 14,000-Acre California Forest Deal Advances Carbon Neutral Strategy
The post Apple Doubles Down on Carbon Removal with Solar and Forest Projects Across Oceania appeared first on Carbon Credits.