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Apple promotes environmental lead Lisa Jackson to top policy position

Apple promotes environmental lead Lisa Jackson to top policy position

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In a move that demonstrates Apple's focus on environmental issues, the Cupertino company has today promoted Lisa Jackson, previously its head executive for the environment, to the role of policy lead. Jackson, who worked as the administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency until 2013, will now lead Apple on all environmental, educational, and accessibility policy issues.

Tim Cook stressed Apple's environmental focus

Apple CEO Tim Cook announced the appointment in an internal memo, saying that Apple had dedicated itself to "leaving the world better than when we found it," and stressing Apple's position as "an industry leader in renewable energy, elimination of toxics, and protecting working forests." Apple under Cook's leadership has increasingly focused on making its business more environmentally sustainable, first allowing outside inspections of its supplier manufacturing plants, before tightening environmental guidelines with each passing year. The firm has also joined forces with the World Wildlife Fund and the Conservation Fund in a bid to reduce the tech giant's impact on the planet's forests.

The company's most recent Environmental Responsibility Report called for immediate action on climate change, noting Apple's own significant efforts in reducing waste, energy use, and manufacturing runoff. The vast majority of Apple's domestic and overseas operations are now powered by renewable energy, and as of 2014, it says that more than 80 percent of its product packaging is sourced from responsible forests. Apple is apparently so secure in its environmental efforts that it's used them to shame other companies, taunting Samsung in particular to copy its environmental record in addition to its technology.