Tim Cook talks sustainability at today’s Climate Week NYC event

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Tim Cook has pushed the green agenda during his time as Apple CEO.
Tim Cook has pushed the green agenda during his time as Apple CEO.

Tim Cook is set to take to the stage today as part of the opening ceremony of environmental event, Climate Week NYC, in New York.

The event is focused on driving change in business practices relating to the environment — particularly in terms of lowering carbon emissions.

Cook is one of several speakers who will appear at the event, alongside the Secretary-General of the United Nations, the President of World Bank, and executives from IKEA and Bloomberg.

Under Tim Cook’s leadership, Apple has embraced the environmental mission with a vengeance, with Cook stating that he wants Apple to be seen as a “force for good” in the world.

Apple has made a number of key hires in this area, including Lisa Jackson, the former Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, who now serves as the company’s top environmental adviser.

Apple has also embraced alternative energy source such as solar and hydroelectric power for its data centers and forthcoming Apple 2 campus, as part of a pledge to use 100 percent renewable energy to power all of its facilities — including Apple Stores.

Earlier this year, Tim Cook lashed out at shortsighted, bottom line-driven investors, telling them to “get out of [Apple] stock” if they weren’t willing to get on board with the company’s green agenda.

In a September report, Greenpeace meanwhile praised Apple as doing more than any other manufacturer to reduce the damage it does to the environment. In particular, Greenpeace notes that Apple has kept its promise to eliminate use of hazardous materials including Polyvinylchloride (PVC) and Brominated flame retardants (BFRs) in its products.

For those who would like to watch Cook’s appearance at Climate Week NYC, a livestream is embedded below. He is reportedly scheduled to take the stage at around midday EST.

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