Acer Inc. announced that it had achieved a major environmental milestone in 2024 by sourcing 60 percent of its electricity from renewable sources a year ahead of schedule, while launching its first carbon-neutral laptop and expanding efforts to reduce supply chain emissions as part of its net-zero target for 2050.

The Taiwanese computer maker said the achievement places it firmly on track to meet its RE100 pledge of 100 percent renewable energy by 2035. According to the company’s 2024 Sustainability Report, Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions were cut by nearly 40 percent from a 2019 baseline, while Scope 3 emissions fell by almost 39 percent from 2020 levels.

“At Acer, we believe the key to creating long-term business growth and sustainability is to keep evolving with the industry and taking actions to help reduce the burden on our environment,” said Chairman and CEO Jason Chen in the report. “To expand the social impact of our eco-friendly efforts effectively, Acer must combine the strengths of its employees and supply chain partners around the world to drive change.”

Carbon-Neutral Laptop and Circular Economy

The launch of the Aspire Vero 16, Acer’s first carbon-neutral laptop, was highlighted as a key breakthrough.

Made with 69 percent post-consumer recycled plastic and bio-based oyster shell material, the device uses 100 percent recyclable packaging and is certified under ISO 14067 for lifecycle emissions.

Acer said it offsets unavoidable emissions through the purchase of high-quality carbon credits.

The company has pledged that all computers and displays will contain 20-30 percent recycled plastic by 2025. From 2020 to 2024, more than 50 million Acer computers and monitors incorporated post-consumer recycled plastics.

Expanding Recognition in ESG Rankings

Acer debuted on TIME magazine’s World’s Most Sustainable Companies list and joined the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index in 2024.

It also retained its “AAA” rating in MSCI’s ESG Leaders Index for the fourth year, was listed in the S&P Global Sustainability Yearbook’s top 5 percent of companies, and secured Platinum status from EcoVadis for a third consecutive year.

The company was also named among Forbes’ World’s Best Employers for the fifth year and its Top Female-Friendly Companies for the third year, reflecting broader progress in social inclusion and workplace equality. Women now account for 29 percent of Acer’s board of directors.

Supply Chain Transformation

More than 80 percent of Acer’s critical suppliers have now committed to the RE100 initiative or adopted science-based emission reduction targets. Acer also expanded its green logistics efforts, working with carriers to introduce biofuels in aviation and marine transport.

The company strengthened supplier oversight through audits and ESG scorecards and said it will continue to embed sustainability standards across its procurement and manufacturing networks. “We recognize that sustainability cannot be achieved alone but requires engaging with our partners and suppliers to accelerate sustainable solutions together,” said Chief Operating Officer Jerry Kao.

Employee Engagement and Social Impact

Employee engagement remains central to Acer’s sustainability approach. Project Humanity, launched in 2019, achieved an 85 percent participation rate across nearly 70 countries in 2024, with staff members participating in volunteering, education and environmental projects.

The Earth Mission app, which gamifies sustainable behaviors, experienced a 44 percent increase in user growth last year, reaching over 16,700 participants. The app also partners with Plastic Bank to sponsor ocean plastic collection when users complete eco-friendly challenges.

Community initiatives included donating refurbished computers to support the first community technology center in South Los Angeles, thereby providing underserved children with access to digital education. In Southeast Asia, Acer partnered with Plastic Bank to collect 50 tons of ocean-bound plastic.

Governance and Risk Oversight

Acer reorganized its Risk Management and Sustainable Development Committee in 2024 to oversee cybersecurity, ESG strategy, and enterprise risk. It also introduced sustainability information management procedures to improve the accuracy and transparency of disclosures.

The company uses an internal carbon price of $63–127 per metric ton to guide investment decisions and has aligned its climate strategy with the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures and the new European Sustainability Reporting Standards.

In its latest materiality assessment, Acer identified corporate governance, cybersecurity, and climate action as its top three ESG priorities. Other rising issues included talent attraction, supplier management, and occupational health and safety.

Challenges and Outlook

Acer acknowledged that geopolitical tensions, trade barriers, and inflation will continue to test its resilience. Still, it pointed to its diversified business engines, spanning AI medical diagnostics, e-mobility, smart parking and energy storage, as growth drivers that also align with sustainability goals.

“Net zero emissions is a global consensus, and we are embedding sustainability into every stage of our operations – from manufacturing, production, to transportation,” said Corporate Sustainability Officer Grace Liu.

Looking ahead, Acer aims to accelerate progress toward its 2035 renewable energy goal, boost recycled content in products, and expand smart city solutions. “We focus on achieving measurable change, ensuring that our sustainability efforts contribute to a better future for all,” Corporate President Victor Chien said.