Sustainability Comparison

Apple Inc. vs Samsung Electronics Sustainability: SINK Score Comparison

Apple Inc. scores 21 points higher than Samsung Electronics on SINK's sustainability index.

Question-by-question

How each category compares

Category
Apple
Samsung
Carbon Footprint — Operations
8/10
7/10
Carbon Footprint — Supply Chain
7/10
6/10
Emissions Trajectory
7/10
2/10
Energy Source
8/10
5/10
Nature & Biodiversity Impact
6/10
4/10
Resource Use & Waste
7/10
6/10
Water Impact
6/10
7/10
Targets & Commitments
7/10
3/10
Transparency & Accountability
7/10
6/10
Controversies & Red Flags
6/10
4/10
Frequently asked

Apple Inc. vs Samsung Electronics, answered.

Which is more sustainable, Apple Inc. or Samsung Electronics?

Apple Inc. is more sustainable according to SINK's open sustainability index, scoring 49/100 vs Samsung Electronics's 28/100 — a difference of 21 points.

What is Apple Inc.'s SINK sustainability score?

Apple Inc. scores 49/100 on the SINK sustainability index (Making progress). Apple has cut emissions 60% since 2015 and operates on 100% renewable electricity across its own operations. But supply chain renewables remain incomplete—key suppliers like Pegatron lag at 47%—and a German court ruled its carbon-neutral claims greenwashing. Offset quality is weak, with short-term leases and monoculture risk undermining permanence claims.

What is Samsung Electronics's SINK sustainability score?

Samsung Electronics scores 28/100 on the SINK sustainability index (Significant gaps). Samsung operates at scale with reasonable emissions disclosure but fails on trajectory: absolute emissions rose 7.83% in 2024 despite RE100 membership. Scope 3 dominates at 84% of total footprint with no credible reduction targets. Unvalidated net-zero commitments, trade association conflicts, and regulatory fines for planned obsolescence expose weak accountability.

How does SINK compare Apple Inc. and Samsung Electronics?

Both companies are rated on the same 10-question SINK rubric: Scope 1/2/3 carbon footprint, energy source, nature and biodiversity, resource use, water, emissions trajectory, science-based targets, transparency, and controversies. Scores are 0–100, based on public data, and fully reproducible.

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