Xiaomi Corporation (“Xiaomi” or the “Group”) today released its seventh Annual Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Report 2024, which once again demonstrates its commitment to sustainability, driven by its core technologies. The report details Xiaomi’s leadership in technological accessibility, climate change mitigation and adaptation, and recycling and reuse.
Leadership in Fundamental Core Technologies
Xiaomi introduced its new sustainability strategy driven by core technologies at the 29th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) in November 2024. It placed greater emphasis on inclusive products and technological equality, as well as the “Human x Car x Home” ecosystem strategy to provide consumers with a sustainable and smart lifestyle.
In 2024, Xiaomi’s annual R&D investment reached RMB 24.1 billion, and its global registered patents surpassed 42,000. Its R&D team, with 21,190 employees, accounted for 48.5% of its total workforce. In the first five years from 2020 to 2030, its cumulative R&D investment is expected to exceed RMB 100 billion.
The Xiaomi Smart Factory and Xiaomi EV Factory commenced operations last year. They utilize industrial internet and AI technologies to achieve efficient, eco-friendly, and sustainable production.
Xiaomi-developed hardware and software, along with other technologies, enable flexible production lines, automated logistics, and cloud-edge device automation control in the Xiaomi Smart Factory. As a result, the factory has an 81% production line automation rate, far exceeding the industry average.
Technological Accessibility
Xiaomi is committed to creating an equitable and inclusive digital experience for all users, including those with special needs. In 2024, it continued to enhance its comprehensive accessibility support. Focusing on key user groups such as those with visual, hearing, and physical impairments, it introduced text extraction, real-time captions, and gesture-based controls.
For example, Xiaomi enhanced its TalkBack feature, a voice assistance tool designed for the blind and visually impaired, simplifying its operation by leveraging the optical character recognition (OCR) capability of the Xiaomi HyperOS AI subsystem. This enables accurate recognition and real-time narration of text in images, providing users with a smooth ‘reading’ experience.
Xiaomi HyperOS 2, the latest version of Xiaomi HyperOS, seamlessly integrated its AI Assistant’s real-time captioning function with Xiaomi’s Sound Recognition Function, achieving a high transcription accuracy rate of 93%.
Xiaomi is also developing elderly-friendly technologies. In 2024, it partnered with multiple institutions to launch the “Showing Care for Elderly Health and Safety” program and “Promoting Elderly-Friendly Retrofitting,” aimed at developing standards, products, applications, and designs to improve seniors’ safety.
Climate Mitigation and Adaptation
Beyond setting GHG emission reduction targets for Xiaomi’s operations, the company requires its smartphone supply chain partners to establish GHG reduction targets and renewable energy usage plans. By 2030, smartphone suppliers must achieve an average annual carbon reduction of at least 5% (with 2024 as the base year) and a renewable electricity usage rate of at least 25%. By 2050, Xiaomi’s smartphone suppliers must achieve 100% renewable electricity usage.
Xiaomi completed lifecycle carbon footprint measurements for 18 representative products (13 smartphones and tablets, 1 wearable device, and 4 smart home appliances) by the end of 2024. The company also collaborated with independent GHG certification and accounting organizations to establish a carbon footprint assessment process for its smartphone products.
Climate response measures were implemented across all business operations, covering office work, production and manufacturing, logistics and transportation, store operations, and supply chain. Last year, Xiaomi’s business operations within its operational boundaries obtained ISO 50001 certification for Energy Management Systems and passed the annual monitoring audit.
Xiaomi also promoted maritime and rail transport as alternatives to air freight. In 2024, this effort reduced the Group’s carbon emissions by 3,378 tons.
Recycling and Reuse
Xiaomi runs global e-waste recycling programs and implemented a layered recycling approach covering trade-ins, refurbishment, device and spare parts disposal, and internal prototype purchases. The company plans to recycle a total of 38,000 tons of e-waste over five years (2022–2026) and achieved 95.94% of this target by the end of 2024.
Over 1.3 million used devices were recycled in Mainland China’s trade-in program. Trade-in programs were established in nine overseas countries and regions, processing 23,353 trade-in requests. The Group expanded its refurbishment business to include laptops, projectors, and monitors. Last year, it restored over 130,000 devices, a 4.7% increase from 2023.
Xiaomi also integrates recycled materials into the design and production of smartphones, smart EVs, and smart home appliances. For example, the Xiaomi 14T’s back cover incorporates a bio-based material derived from lemon waste, with half its polyurethane sourced from bio-based raw materials. Recycled aluminum is used in the Xiaomi 14T’s cast mid-frame, while recycled aluminum, gold, and copper are used in its acoustic components.
The Xiaomi Smart Factory established a zero-landfill waste management system, integrating recycling and efficient disposal to minimize landfill use. In 2024, the factory achieved a waste diversion rate (WDR) of 99.35% and received TÜV Rheinland’s Zero Landfill Waste Management System Certificate with the highest global rating of three stars.
Xiaomi remains committed to innovation and accelerated development, striving to build a better future through sustainable practices.
The above serves as highlights from the 2024 ESG Report. For the full version, click here.
