Tim Cook is stepping down as Apple CEO leaving a largely positive environmental record, but experts warn his climate legacy could be undermined as the company pushes further into AI. Under Cook, Apple set ambitious targets to cut pollution from its products and supply chain and, unlike rivals such as Google and Microsoft, has largely kept its carbon footprint from rising despite the energy demands of generative AI. Environmental groups have praised Apple's supplier standards, though the timing of Cook's departure means the harder test of maintaining these commitments amid the AI race falls to his successor.

Apple produced 15.3 million metric tons of gross carbon dioxide emissions in 2025, roughly equivalent to 40 gas-fired power plants running for a year, and has cut emissions by 60% since 2015 against a target of 75% by 2030. Its supply chain earned a B+ rating from Greenpeace East Asia in 2025 for renewable energy efforts, and it was the only major tech firm with a 100% renewable electricity target for suppliers in a 2023 Stand.earth study. However, Apple has also faced criticism over misleading "carbon neutral" marketing claims, allegations of forced labour and conflict minerals in its supply chain, and a reported rollback in 2023 of requirements for suppliers to publicly disclose greenhouse gas emissions.