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Qualcomm to cut greenhouse gas emissions over the next 20 years, aims for net zero by 2040

One of the world’s largest chip makers, Qualcomm, has just announced a goal to cut its greenhouse gas emissions drastically over the next several years, with a goal of hitting net zero by 2040.

Qualcomm’s goal, detailed in a press release today, started last year and focuses on cutting three scopes of greenhouse gas emissions: 1) emissions from the company itself, 2) indirect emissions from electricity, heating/cooling, etc, and finally, 3) emissions from its supply chain.

Over the next 20 years, Qualcomm hopes to cut emissions down to net zero, with more immediate effects of at least 50% cuts by 2030 from the base year of 2020. This first goal would focus on scopes 1 and 2 primarily, with scope 3 only seeing a 25% cut in the same time period. This effort starts with Qualcomm purchasing 100% renewable energy for its headquarters in San Diego.

Qualcomm is already working towards achieving these long-term goals by purchasing 100% renewable energy for its San Diego headquarters. The Company’s strategy includes transitioning to renewable energy via long-term Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs), decarbonizing its operations and using a minimal amount of Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) and carbon offsets for residual emissions.

As Engadget points out, the biggest impact that Qualcomm is making with today’s announcement is with its scope 3 goal. Reports show that the fabrication of chipsets is one of the largest greenhouse gas emitters in the production of your smartphone. With Qualcomm handing off that task to partners such as Samsung and TSMC, it will certainly be a harder goal to accomplish.

Today’s announcement comes amid the UN’s COP26 climate summit.

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Avatar for Ben Schoon Ben Schoon

Ben is a Senior Editor for 9to5Google.

Find him on Twitter @NexusBen. Send tips to schoon@9to5g.com or encrypted to benschoon@protonmail.com.


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