Apple
What do our scores mean?
The organizational score represents the degree to which the organization influencing climate policy and legislation. Corporations also have relationship scores reflecting their links with influencers like trade associations. Both are combined to place the corporation in a performance band. Full details can be found here.
Engagement Intensity
The engagement intensity (EI) is a metric of the extent to which the company is engaging on climate change policy matters, whether positively or negatively. It is a number from 0 (no engagement at all) to 100 (full engagement on all queries/data points). Clearly energy companies are more affected by climate regulations and will have a higher EI than, for example retailers. So an organization’s score should be looked at in conjunction with this metric to gauge the amount of evidence we are using in each case as a basis for scoring. On our scale, an EI of more than 35 indicates a relatively large amount of climate policy engagement.
Relationship Score, December 2020
A new batch of industry associations has been uploaded onto the InfluenceMap system and the relationship scores recalculated accordingly.
Updated terminology, February 2021
We adjusted the terminology used to describe the queries running down the left-hand side of our scoring matrix and added additional explanatory text to the info-boxes. This has no impact on the scores and methodology. It has been done following user feedback to improve clarity.
- Details of Organization Score
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What do the 0,1,2 and NSs, NAs mean?
Each cell in the organization's matrix presents a chance for us to assess each data source against our column of climate change policy queries. We score from -2 to 2, with negative scores representing evidence of obstructive influence. "NA" means "not applicable" and "NS" means "not scored" - that is we did not find any evidence either way. In both cases, the cell's weighting is re-distributed over others. Red and blue cells represent highly interesting negative or positive influence respectively. Full details can be found here.
- Details of Relationship Score
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What is the Relationship Score
A corporation, as well as its organizational score will have a relationship score. It is computed by aggregating the organizational scores of the Influencers (trade bodies etc.) it has relationships with, weighted by both the strength of these relationships and the relative importance of the Influencers towards climate change policy. Full details can be found here.
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QUERIES
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DATA SOURCES | ||||||
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Main Web Site
The main organizational Web site of the company and its direct links to major affiliates and attached documents. |
Social Media
We search other media and sites funded or controlled by the organization, such as social media (Twitter, Facebook) and direct advertising campaigns of the organization. |
CDP Responses
We assess and score responses to two questions from CDP's climate change information request (12.3 a & 12.3c) related to political influence questions (currently these are not numerically scored by the CDP process). |
Legislative Consultations
Comments from the entity being scored on governmental regulatory consultation processes, including those obtained by InfluenceMap through Freedom of Information requests. |
Media Reports
Here we search in a consistent manner (the organization name and relevant query search terms) a set of web sites of representing reputable news or data aggregations. Supported by targeted searches of proprietary databases. |
CEO Messaging
Here we search in a consistent manner (the CEO/Chairman, organization name and relevant query search terms) a set of web sites of representing reputable news or data aggregations. Supported by targeted searches of proprietary databases. |
Financial Disclosures
We search 10-K and 20-F SEC filings where available, and non US equivalents where not. . |
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Communication of Climate Science
Is the organization transparent and clear about its position on climate change science? |
1
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NS | NS | NS |
2
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2
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1
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|
Alignment with IPCC on Climate Action
Is the organization supporting the science-based response to climate change as set out by the IPCC? (the IPCC) |
2
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1
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NA |
2
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1
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1
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NS |
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Supporting the Need for Regulations
To what extent does the organization express the need for regulatory intervention to resolve the climate crisis? |
1
|
1
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NS | NS | NS |
2
|
NS |
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Support of UN Climate Process
Is the organization supporting the UN FCCC process on climate change? |
NS |
1
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NA | NS |
2
|
2
|
NS |
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Transparency on Legislation
Is the organisation transparent about its positions on climate change legislation/policy and its activities to influence it? |
1
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NA |
0
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NA | NA | NA | NS |
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Carbon Tax
Is the organisation supporting policy and legislative measures to address climate change: carbon tax. |
NS | NS | NS | NS | NS | NS | NS |
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Emissions Trading
Is the organisation supporting policy and legislative measures to address climate change: emissions trading. |
NS | NS | NS | NS | NS | NS | NS |
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Energy and Resource Efficiency
Is the organization supporting policy and legislative measures to address climate change: energy efficiency policy, standards, and targets |
NS | NS |
1
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NS |
2
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NS | NS |
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Renewable Energy
Is the organization supporting policy and legislative measures to address climate change: Renewable energy legislation, targets, subsidies, and other policy |
2
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2
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1
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2
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2
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NS |
1
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|
Energy Transition & Zero Carbon Technologies
Is the organization supporting an IPCC-aligned transition of the economy away from carbon-emitting technologies, including supporting relevant policy and legislative measures to enable this transition? |
1
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1
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2
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2
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1
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2
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NS |
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GHG Emission Regulation
Is the organization supporting policy and legislative measures to address climate change: GHG emission standards and targets. Is the organization supporting policy and legislative measures to address climate change: Standards, targets, and other regulatory measures directly targeting Greenhouse Gas emissions |
NS |
2
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NS |
2
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2
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NS | NS |
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Disclosure on Relationships
Is the organization transparent about its involvement with industry associations that are influencing climate policy, including the extent to which it is aligned with these groups on climate? |
0
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NS |
1
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NA | NA | NA | NS |
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Apple is listed as an AEE Advocate and is a member of the Advanced Energy Buyers Group (2021)
not specified
Open PDF file of Data Source
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Apple are Leadership Council members
Open PDF file of Data Source
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Apple is listed as an AEE Advocate and is a member of the Advanced Energy Buyers Group (2021)
not specified
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Apple are Leadership Council members
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Cynthia Hogan, Vice President for Public Policy for the Americas for Apple, serves on the Board of Directors
Cynthia Hogan
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Cynthia Hogan, Vice President for Public Policy for the Americas for Apple, serves on the Board of Directors
Cynthia Hogan
Open PDF file of Data Source
Open PDF file of Data Source
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Facebook is a member of CBI Tech Group
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Is a member of the Tech Group in CBI
Sam Sharps
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Facebook is a member of CBI Tech Group
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Is a member of the Tech Group in CBI
Sam Sharps
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Member of the US-Turkey Business Council
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Member of the Brazil-US Business Council
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Exec. is on the board of directors of the Brazil-US Business Council, which operates under the US Chamber of Commerce
Susan Schmidt
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Member of the US-Turkey Business Council
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Member of the Brazil-US Business Council
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Exec. is on the board of directors of the Brazil-US Business Council, which operates under the US Chamber of Commerce
Susan Schmidt
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Apple has an indirect membership of MEDEF through the association Alliance Française des Industries du Numérique
not specified
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Apple has an indirect membership of MEDEF through the association Alliance Française des Industries du Numérique
not specified
How to Read our Relationship Score Map
In this section, we depict graphically the relationships the corporation has with trade associations, federations, advocacy groups and other third parties who may be acting on their behalf to influence climate change policy. Each of the columns above represents one relationship the corporation appears to have with such a third party. In these columns, the top, dark section represents the strength of the relationship the corporation has with the influencer. For example if a corporation's senior executive also held a key role in the trade association, we would deem this to be a strong relationship and it would be on the far left of the chart above, with the weaker ones to the right. Click on these grey shaded upper sections for details of these relationships. The middle section contains a link to the organization score details of the influencer concerned, so you can see the details of its climate change policy influence. Click on the middle sections for for details of the trade associations. The lower section contains the organization score of that influencer, the lower the more negatively it is influencing climate policy.
Climate Lobbying Overview: Apple appears generally supportive of policy action on climate change. The company demonstrates clear support for renewable energy policy and the energy transition, but appears unengaged with most other forms of climate policy.
Top-line Messaging on Climate Policy: Apple has issued general support for ambitious climate action, calling for "fierce urgency" in a 2019 statement, but its top-line communications have been limited, particularly in recent years. Apple has supported the Paris Agreement in the past. In 2020 remarks at the UN Climate Ambition Summit, CEO Tim Cook called on governments globally to implement stronger climate targets in coming years.
Engagement with Climate-Related Regulations: Apple appears to lobby on a limited number of specific climate policies, with a clear focus on expanding access to renewables for corporate use. The company continued to oppose efforts to repeal the Clean Power Plan in 2018. That same year, Apple (with Google), submitted a comment to the North Carolina Utilities Commission aimed at improving a green tariff structure proposed by Duke Energy. In the state of Iowa, Apple opposed a 2018 bill that would have undermined energy efficiency initiatives.
Previously, in a 2017 letter advocating for greater use of corporate renewable power purchase agreements, Apple supported raising the EU's renewable energy target from 27% to 35% by 2030. That same year in Japan, Apple joined companies calling for action from the government to make grid rule changes to help companies reach their 100% renewable targets. Recent activity has been limited, with the exception of a 2020 sign-on letter through the European Corporate Leaders Group which urged the EU to increase its emissions reduction target to 55% by 2030.
Positioning on Energy Transition: In general, Apple communicates clear support for a global clean energy transition. In 2020, the company signed a letter to Dominion Energy pushing the utility to invest in renewables and battery storage rather than natural gas expansion. In 2018, it urged the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to reject calls from the Department of Energy that would have subsidized coal while making clean energy more expensive. InfluenceMap was unable to locate evidence of engagement with other forms of energy transition policy, such as clean transportation.
Industry Association Governance: Apple is a member of Advanced Energy Economy, which has lobbied positively on all forms of climate policy in the US, and the Japan Climate Leaders Partnership. In 2009, Apple renounced its membership with the US Chamber of Commerce in response to the association’s comments against the US EPA. Conversely, Apple retains its membership with Business Europe and the Japanese Business Federation, two organizations which have consistently opposed ambitious climate action in their respective jurisdictions.