Apple. a company which GallonDaily has previously lauded for putting the statement “We believe climate change is real. And that it’s a real problem” right up front, has just published its Environmental Responsibility Report for fiscal year 2013.

Among the reported achievements during the year:

• Apple is now powering 145 of its U.S. retail stores and all of its retail stores in Australia with 100 percent renewable energy.
• Apple’s carbon footprint from energy use dropped by 31 percent from fiscal 2011 to fiscal 2013 — even though overall energy consumption increased by 44 percent during that time.
• Energy efficiency programs applied to Apple’s corporate offices in the Cupertino area over the past three years saved 28.5 million kWh of electricity and 751,000 therms of natural gas.
• The commute alternatives program for Apple employees provided more than 1 million trips and helped avoid greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to taking more than 15,000 vehicles off the road.

The new report also highlights some of the challenges the Company faces:

• Water consumption rose significantly in 2013, in part due to construction and other expansion activities.
• Carbon emissions from manufacturing partners remain the largest portion of Apple’s carbon footprint, an area Apple is committed to addressing.

Some of the sections in the latest report may provide useful information for other companies implementing or contemplating environmental initiatives. They include:

• Why we measure our carbon footprint the way we do.
• How our carbon footprint informs our thinking.
• An energy-efficient facility is good, and a 100 percent renewable energy facility is better.
• When we set out to build a 100 percent renewable energy powered data center, we were told it couldn’t be done. But then we did it.
• Our new home will be green from the ground up.
• Apple’s travel and commute programs.
• Energy efficiency is built in.
• ENERGY STAR standards are just our starting point.
• Smaller packaging means smarter packing.
• Keeping recycling local.
• No product should be hazardous to your health. Or anyone else’s.
• We design products with safer materials.
• Testing for toxins begins at home.
• We’re doing more with less.
• Designed for durability.
• Everyone should have water to use and reuse
• When we buy on Apple’s behalf, we think green.
• Composting and recycling in our corporate facilities.

A brief summary and a link to the 19 page report are available at http://www.apple.com/ca/environment/our-progress/