Xiaomi's new report reaffirms its commitment to sustainability and innovation

Xiaomi Corporation (“Xiaomi” or the “Grupo”) today released its seventh Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Annual Report 2024, which again demonstrates its commitment to sustainability, driven by its core technologies.The report details Xiaomi's leadership in technological accessibility, mitigation and adaptation to climate change, and recycling and reuse.

Leadership of Core Essential Technologies

Xiaomi presented its new strategy for sustainable development driven by its 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 and the “Human x Car x House” ecosystem strategy to provide consumers with a sustainable and intelligent lifestyle.

In 2024, Xiaomi's annual investment in R&D reached RMB 24.1 billion, and its globally registered patents exceeded 42,000. Its R&D team, with 21,190 employees, represented 48.5% of the total workforce.In the first five years of the 2020s to 2030, its cumulative R&D investment is expected to exceed RMB 100 billion.

Xiaomi Smart Factory and Xiaomi EV Factory went live last year.They use industrial internet and AI technologies to achieve efficient, environmentally friendly and sustainable production.

The hardware and software developed by Xiaomi, along with other technologies, have enabled flexible production lines, automated logistics and device automation control in the cloud and on the edge of Xiaomi Smart Factory.As a result, the factory has an automation rate of 81% on its production lines, far exceeding the industry average.

Technology Accessibility

Xiaomi is committed to creating an equal and inclusive digital experience for all users, including people with special needs.In 2024, it continued to enhance its comprehensive accessibility support.Focusing on key user groups such as people with visual, hearing and physical disabilities, it introduced text extraction, real-time captions and gesture-based controls.

For example, Xiaomi has enhanced its TalkBack feature, a voice assistance feature designed for blind and visually impaired people, and simplified its operation by leveraging the optical character recognition (OCR) feature of the Xiaomi HyperOS AI subsystem.This has enabled accurate recognition and real-time narration of text in images, providing users with a fluid“reading experience.

Xiaomi HyperOS 2, the latest version of Xiaomi HyperOS, has seamlessly integrated the real-time subtitle function of the AI Assistant with the Xiaomi Sound Recognition Function.The result: a high transcription accuracy rate of 93%.

Xiaomi is also creating technologies friendly to the elderly.In 2024, it partnered with several institutions to launch the program “Showing Health and Safety Care for the Elderly” and “Promoting Elderly Friendly Retrofitting”, which aims to develop standards, products, applications and designs that improve the safety of the elderly.

Climate Mitigation and Adaptation

In addition to setting greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction targets for Xiaomi operations, the company requires its smartphone supply chain partners to set GHG reduction targets and renewable energy use plans. By 2030, smartphone industry suppliers must achieve an average annual carbon reduction of at least 5% (with 2024 as a base year) and a renewable electricity use rate of at least 25%. By 2050, Xiaomi smartphone industry suppliers must achieve 100% of renewable electricity use.

Xiaomi has completed life cycle carbon footprint measurements of 18 representative products (13 smartphones and tablets, 1 wearable device and 4 smart home appliances) by the end of 2024. The company has also collaborated with independent GHG certification and accounting organizations to establish a carbon footprint assessment process for its smartphone products.

Climate response measures have been implemented across all business operations, covering office work, production and manufacturing, logistics and transportation, store and supply chain operations.Last year, Xiaomi's business operations within its operating limits have achieved ISO 50001 certification for the Energy Management System and passed the annual monitoring audit.

Xiaomi also promoted shipping and rail as alternatives to air freight.In 2024, this effort reduced the Group's carbon emissions by 3,378 tons.

Recycling and Reuse

Xiaomi conducts e-waste recycling programs around the world and has implemented a layered recycling approach that includes exchanges, reconditioning, device and spare parts disposal, as well as internal prototype purchase. The company plans to recycle a total of 38,000 tons of e-waste in five years (from 2022 to 2026) and has reached 95,94% of this target by the end of 2024.

More than 1.3 million used devices were recycled in the Mainland China exchange program. Exchange programs were established in nine countries and regions abroad; in these countries, 23,353 exchange requests were processed. The Group expanded its refurbishment business to include laptops, projectors and monitors.Last year, it restored more than 130,000 devices, an increase of 4.7% compared to 2023.

Xiaomi also integrates recycled materials into the design and production of smartphones, smart electric vehicles and smart home appliances. For example, the rear cover of the Xiaomi 14T incorporates a bio-based material derived from lemon waste, with half of its polyurethane coming from bio-based raw materials.Recycled aluminum is incorporated into the cast intermediate structure of the Xiaomi 14T, and recycled aluminum, gold and copper are used to produce its acoustic components.

Xiaomi Smart Factory has established a zero waste management system for landfills, which integrates efficient recycling and disposal to minimize the use of landfills.In 2024, the plant achieved a waste diversion rate (WDR) of 99.35% and received the TUV Rheinland Zero Waste Management System Certificate for Landfills, with the maximum global three-star rating.

Xiaomi maintains its commitment to innovation and accelerated development, seeking to build a better future through sustainable practices.

The above only serve as highlights of the 2024 ESG report. To see the full version, please click here..