By Jessica Shankleman, Source: BusinessGreen

Apple’s chief executive Tim Cook has hailed efforts to reduce the company’s environmental impact as one of his key achievements following his first full year in the role.

Speaking at a Goldman Sachs technology and internet conference yesterday, Cook, who succeeded Steve Jobs in 2011, was asked what he was most proud of during his time as chief executive.

Cook named a number of achievements, including Apple’s “world leading” products and employees, but also highlighted the company’s revamped environmental stewardship strategy.

“I’m very proud that we’re out front, that we have a spine on supply responsibility,” he said. “I’m incredibly proud that we’re doing heavy lifting with the environment, that we’re eliminating toxins.

He added that he was also proud of Apple’s solar farm, which is the largest private project of it kind, and highlighted the fact the company now powers many of its data centres using 100 per cent renewable energy.

“I don’t mean to gush, but it’s how I feel,” he said. “It’s the privilege of a lifetime and humbling.”

Environmental concerns have been moved up Apple’s agenda in recent years, following a high profile campaign from green groups that criticised the company’s use of hazardous chemicals and  lack of transparency over its supply chain impacts.

However, Apple last month answered many of its critics with the publication of a warts-and-all audit of its supply chain that revealed a series of failures amongst suppliers to adhere to environmental best practices. For example, the company revealed 147 suppliers failed to properly store or handle potentially hazardous chemicals, including one company that was found to have been intentionally dumping waste cutting oil in a “rest room receptacle”.

The report secured praise from NGOs for its transparency, while Apple announced a fresh series of commitments to work with audited suppliers to improve their environmental performance.

The tech giant is also thought to be currently working on plans to integrate solar cells into its iPhones and iPods, after filing for a number of patents for solar photovoltaic and touch screen technology designed for small screen devices.