Intel's Supply Chain Efforts in Pursuit of Sustainability
Aside from being a global leader in semiconductor innovation, Intel has made a significant commitment to the environment.
In April 2022, Intel pledged to reach net zero greenhouse gas emissions across its operations, known as Scope 1 and 2 emissions, before 2040.
Emissions in these areas have already decreased by 43% from Intel’s 2019 baseline.
Intel’s worldwide approach to sustainability not only underpins its own commitment but is signaling a new era of sustainability in the technology sector.
Sustainable computing for a sustainable future
- 99% renewable energy is used across its operations globally
- 10.2 billion gallons of water have been saved
- 63% of Intel's manufacturing waste has been upcycled via reuse, recovery or recycling
At the heart of Intel's journey towards sustainability is its focus on creating a responsible supply chain.
The company adopts a “sustainable computing for a sustainable future” mantra, deploying eco-minded approaches in semiconductor manufacturing and improving the energy efficiency of its technologies, platforms and software.
“We are making noteworthy progress toward our environmental goals by focusing on sustainability in several key semiconductor manufacturing areas — electricity, water, waste, our value chain and alternative green chemistry solutions,” Intel says.
This focus is crucial as it strives towards carbon-neutral computing.
Energy efficiency is also an integral component of Intel’s supply chain strategy.
“To reach our product environmental goals, we are taking a holistic approach to product sustainability,” the company says.
“We are innovating across our entire portfolio of products, platforms, software and solutions to improve energy efficiency while reducing both our Scope 3 greenhouse gas emissions as well as our customers’ Scope 2 greenhouse gas emissions.”
Semiconductor manufacturing and sustainability
The semiconductor manufacturing division represents one of Intel's most prominent efforts in sustainable supply chain management.
As chip manufacturing faces greater environmental scrutiny, Intel’s ambitious plan not only addresses its own carbon footprint but also seeks to instigate industrywide climate action.
In its role as a semiconductor manufacturing leader, Intel aids other businesses in meeting their sustainability goals and navigating regulatory landscapes.
The company's demonstrated commitment has earned recognitions such as an A CDP Water Security rating and an A- CDP rating for both Climate Change and Supplier Engagement. Moreover, Intel holds a 1 ISS rating for both the Environment and Social Quality Score.
Intel’s former CEO Pat Gelsinger, who was replaced by Lip-Bu Tan earlier this year, said: “The impact of climate change is an urgent global threat. Protecting our planet demands immediate action and fresh thinking about how the world operates."
“As one of the world's leading semiconductor design and manufacturing companies, Intel is in a unique position to make a difference not only in our own operations, but in a way that makes it easier for customers, partners and our whole value chain to take meaningful action too," he added.
Moreover, Intel nears its goal of procuring 100% renewable electricity by 2030, currently just 1% short. The company is already water net positive in the US, Mexico, Costa Rica and India, restoring 110% of freshwater usage. Despite an increase in construction waste in 2023, only 6% now ends up in landfill, progressing Intel towards its zero waste to landfill aim by 2030.
Furthering sustainability initiatives
Intel has also marked key interim milestones to reinforce its sustainability commitment within its supply chain:
- Investing around US$300m in energy conservation to save four billion cumulative KWhs
- Constructing new factories and facilities to comply with the U.S. Green Building Council LEED energy-saving standards
- Launching cross-industry R&D projects to discover greener chemicals and advance new abatement tools for manufacturing
These initiatives expand on Intel’s history as a leading voluntary corporate purchaser of green power, operating nearly 100 alternative energy installations across 15 campuses worldwide.
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