Apple serious with its climate bid as its raises stakes on Chinese solar power investment

Apple is looking beyond smartphones and tablets as its raises the stakes in its China solar power investment. The Cupertino, California-based giant is set to build another 200 megawatts of solar power in the region, pushing other companies and suppliers to do the same thing. The investment is part of the tech giant's bid to reduce global-warming emissions by the world's biggest contributor to pollution.

The solar investment will be an added venture to two other completed solar farms in Southern China. The facilities are already operating with a combined capacity of 40 megawatts of power. As a cherry on top, Apple will also be working with Foxconn Technology Group to develop an additional two gigawatts of solar, wind and hydropower projects.

"Climate change is one of the great challenges of our time, and the time for action is now," Apple chief executive Tim Cook explained in a statement. "The transition to a new green economy requires innovation, ambition and purpose. We believe passionately in leaving the world better than we found it and hope that many other suppliers, partners and other companies join us in this important effort."

Apple's plan is part of the company's efforts in helping reduce greenhouse-gas emissions. It comes in part ahead of the United Nations summit in Paris later this year where global leaders will come together to discuss initiatives on climate change and pollution.

China at present is considered the biggest source of greenhouse gas emissions. The country already promised that it will be focusing its efforts in utilising energy from nuclear and renewable power. Apple, with operations in China, stands to be a major part of the initiative.

In April, Apple claimed that it would be working with U.S.-based SunPower Corp to develop two generating stations in the Sichuan province. The facilities can offer more power than what Apple requires in its operations in China. This makes the tech giant "carbon neutral," as explained in its statement. Foxconn's solar bid covers 400 megawatts of solar by 2018 beginning in the Henan province, according to Bloomberg.

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