Apple also admitted emissions from manufacturing aluminium to use in its products were nearly four times higher than previously thought. It claimed the earlier assessments were made using “industry-standard methods” but an “extensive survey” of Apple’s suppliers revealed the figures to be inaccurate.

As a result, the reported emissions for 2013 were 9% higher than in 2012. When the 2012 figures were recalculated to correct for under-reporting of aluminium manufacturing emissions, it showed a 3% drop.

Using renewable energy sources, driving energy efficiency, using greener materials and conserving precious resources are identified as Apple’s environmental priorities. The report cites carbon savings from reduced power consumption of its products, lighter packaging for transport, and greener corporate offices, retail stores and data centres. It does not provide evidence of any such carbon cutting activity on the energy-intensive manufacturing side, however, much of which takes place in China.