Tech giant Apple has taken a new step in its sustainability efforts by retiring 100,000 jurisdictional carbon credits sourced from Guyana’s nationwide forest protection initiative. This marks the first time the company has utilised credits issued under the US-based Architecture for REDD+ Transactions (ART) registry rather than Verra, a widely used carbon credit standard.
A view of Guyana’s Amazon rainforest, featuring lush green canopies, diverse tropical flora, and a winding river through the dense jungle. AI generated picture.
The credits, classified under ART’s REDD+ Environmental Excellence Standard (TREES) programme, contribute to Apple’s corporate climate pledge. According to data from the ART registry, the credits come from emission reductions achieved in Guyana through large-scale conservation efforts aimed at protecting the Amazon rainforest.
Apple has been purchasing and retiring carbon credits since 2020 as part of its goal to maintain carbon neutrality across its corporate emissions—covering offices, data centres, and business operations, but not including emissions from product manufacturing or use. The company’s latest credit retirement comes just ahead of its annual sustainability report, which details its emissions footprint and offset strategy.
Last year, Apple retired 485,000 carbon credits, with all offsets coming from projects in Kenya’s Chyulu Hills and China’s Guinan, both registered under Verra. In previous years, the company has retired 300,000 credits in 2022, 670,000 in 2021, and 70,000 in 2020.
The move to jurisdictional carbon credits signals Apple’s growing interest in large-scale nature-based solutions. Guyana made history in 2022 by issuing the world’s first jurisdictional carbon credits under ART, demonstrating how entire regions can generate verified emissions reductions through comprehensive forest protection. In 2023, the country estimated emissions reductions of nearly 9.1 million tonnes of CO2 through its programme.
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Beyond its current offset purchases, Apple is also expanding its climate investment strategy. The company is reportedly working on a $1 billion fund dedicated to financing nature-based solutions, signalling its commitment to scaling up its role in carbon reduction efforts.
As Apple prepares to release its latest sustainability report, its first-time use of jurisdictional carbon credits could indicate a broader shift in corporate offset strategies, favouring large-scale, jurisdictional approaches over traditional project-based credits.
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As carbon markets evolve, Apple’s adoption of jurisdictional carbon credits highlights the growing demand for large-scale, high-integrity carbon solutions. At DGB Group, we’re leading this shift with nature-based projects that restore ecosystems, protect biodiversity, and generate premium carbon units. Our solutions empower businesses to meet sustainability goals while capitalising on the expanding carbon market. Discover how DGB can help you maximise your impact and invest in nature today.
