Apple's upcoming 16-inch MacBook Pro will be the company's most "green" laptop to date, thanks to its use of low-carbon aluminum.

This will be facilitated by Apple working with material suppliers to build "the first ever carbon-free direct aluminum smelting process." According to an Apple press release, the first batch of this low-carbon aluminum will be used in the 16-inch MacBook Pro.

It is not clear if this means a new 16-inch MacBook Pro, possibly with an ARM-based Apple Silicon. Or will Apple just make the largest MacBook Pro model with the new aluminum, but keep the current design and specs?

It has been almost a year since the 16-inch MacBook Pro debuted. With new Intel chips and Apple Silicon chips on the horizon, there is definitely room for Apple to come out with a new or refreshed 16-inch MacBook Pro model.

Such a Mac machine would also likely be Apple's most environmentally friendly computer and would certainly appeal to those who want to balance their desire for powerful premium technology with a smaller carbon footprint.

Given Apple's goal of becoming carbon neutral throughout its operations, manufacturing, and supply chain by 2030, it is likely that more Apple devices will use more environmentally friendly materials, such as this low-carbon aluminum. [Apple CEO Tim Cook said, "Companies have a great opportunity to help build a more sustainable future, born out of a shared concern for our shared planet. The innovations that drive our environmental progress are not only good for the planet, they help make our products more energy efficient and bring new sources of clean energy online around the world." Climate action can be the foundation for a new era of innovative possibilities, job creation, and sustainable economic growth. With our commitment to carbon neutrality, we hope to be a ripple in the pond of greater change."

That's a lofty ambition, given how much technology contributes to electronic waste and that smartphones often contain precious and rare materials. However, Apple has long sought to reduce the environmental impact of its devices, and with its huge financial resources, Apple is well positioned to invest in environmentally friendly technology and manufacturing.

With four iPhone 12 models on the way, one wonders how Apple is approaching green ethics with its next-generation smartphones. iPhone 12 is expected to ship without a charger because of the potential to reduce waste, but it is unclear how consumers how they will react is unknown.