Apple’s clean energy charging update has sparked confusion and outrage among iPhone users in the US. The new feature, aimed at optimizing charging for low-emissions energy, charges phones when “lower carbon emission electricity is available”, leading to longer charging times when electricity comes from higher-emissions sources. Although the feature can be turned off or overridden, users were displeased with Apple’s decision to make it the default setting on its latest update. The rollout highlights the importance of effective communication when it comes to nudging consumers towards behaviour changes that reduce their carbon footprints. As dynamic charging becomes more common, energy companies and tech corporations will need to make sure consumers are well-informed about what is happening behind the scenes when their devices are being charged. Lack of transparency risks creating negative perceptions of distributed energy resource applications and energy efficiency programs. Although Apple is not the only one implementing dynamic charging, the Cupertino-based technology giant’s flawed communication strategy could influence the future adoption of DERs and energy efficiency campaigns. Passthrough entities Ara Partners and Enbridge are investing $1.1bn in Concord, Massachusetts-based waste diversion platform Divert, while Austin’s Industrial Sun, which develops solar projects, has raised $90m. Meanwhile, in Paris, ESG text monitoring platform SESAMm closed a $37m series B funding round, while ESG metrics provider Novata raised $30m, including funding from the Ford Foundation, S&P Global Inc. and Lindsay Goldberg.
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It is important that carbon credit schemes also benefit local communities.
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