Recent Discussions
Carbon Negative by 2030: Microsoft’s Bold Commitment and Progress
In an era when climate change poses an existential threat, Microsoft has set a pioneering example with its ambitious goal of becoming carbon-negative by 2030. This commitment underscores the company’s dedication to sustainability and sets a benchmark for the tech industry. Let’s delve into the key milestones, the impact on the tech sector, and why this initiative is a game-changer. The Bold Commitment In January 2020, Microsoft announced its plan to be carbon-negative by 2030. This means the company aims to remove more carbon from the atmosphere than it emits. By 2050, Microsoft also pledges to remove all the carbon it has emitted since its founding in 1975. This bold commitment is part of a broader sustainability strategy that includes reducing carbon emissions, investing in renewable energy, and innovating in carbon removal technologies. Key Milestones and Progress Carbon Fee Implementation: Microsoft has implemented an internal carbon fee since 2012, which is instrumental in driving sustainability initiatives across the company. This fee is charged to business units based on their carbon emissions, incentivizing them to reduce their carbon footprint. Renewable Energy Investments: By 2025, Microsoft aims to power its data centers and operations with 100% renewable energy. As of 2023, the company has already achieved 70% renewable energy usage. Carbon Removal Technologies: Microsoft invests in innovative carbon removal technologies, such as direct air capture and reforestation projects. The company has committed $1 billion to its Climate Innovation Fund to accelerate the development of these technologies. Sustainable Data Centers: Microsoft’s data centers are becoming more energy-efficient and sustainable. The company is exploring using hydrogen fuel cells and other green technologies to power its data centers. Transparency and Accountability: Microsoft publishes an annual Environmental Sustainability Report detailing its progress and challenges. This transparency ensures accountability and encourages other companies to follow suit. Impact on the Tech Industry Microsoft’s commitment to becoming carbon-negative has far-reaching implications for the tech industry. It sets a precedent for other tech giants to adopt similar sustainability goals. The company’s investments in renewable energy and carbon removal technologies drive innovation and make these solutions more accessible and affordable for other businesses. Moreover, Microsoft’s sustainability initiatives are influencing its supply chain and partners. By requiring suppliers to report their carbon emissions and set reduction targets, Microsoft fosters a culture of sustainability throughout the tech ecosystem. Inspiring a Sustainable Future Microsoft’s journey towards becoming carbon-negative is not just about reducing its carbon footprint. It’s about inspiring a global movement towards sustainability. The company’s initiatives demonstrate that achieving economic growth while prioritizing the planet is possible. By adopting sustainable practices, businesses can contribute to a healthier environment and a more resilient economy. As a Microsoft partner in sustainability, myHerb is proud to support and promote these initiatives. Together, we can drive meaningful change and inspire others to join the fight against climate change. Let’s embrace sustainability and work towards a greener, more sustainable future. Here are some valuable resources on sustainability, technology, and business: Forbes Technology Council: Offers insights on tech-focused business practices that promote sustainability, such as moving to the cloud, adopting extended producer responsibility, and establishing refurbish and repair programs. Sustainable Business Toolkit: Provides a comprehensive guide on integrating sustainable technologies to reduce environmental impacts, improve efficiency, and ensure a sustainable future for businesses. Boston Consulting Group (BCG): Explores how technology helps sustainability initiatives succeed and why management teams should utilize digital thinking to meet their goals.
Windows Update to leverage renewable energy,! Testing is already underway.
Microsoft is working in the Insider Program on a new way to configure - Windows Update! Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 22567 | Windows Insider Blog This confirms that the projects are already underway - hopefully they will end with supplementation to the stable version of Windows11. "Windows Update leverages more renewable energy Windows Update will try to schedule update installations at specific times of day when doing so results in lower carbon emissions. Most electrical grids are powered by multiple sources, including renewables and fossil fuels. Whenever possible, Windows 11 will now prioritize installing updates in the background at times when greater amounts of clean energy sources (like wind, solar, and hydro) are available"
More online shopping means greener earth
We have practice of going outside for the shop and the COVID-19 changed it a bit and people shift more on online shopping. Nowadays it is easy to create online shopping website even for those who arenot from IT background or they arenotdeveloper. I believe there is a need for a unity so the shopkeeper start selling more good online, they might relay on already existing services like Amazon or eBay or they create their own space. I find out creating online website using the Microsoft 365 is easy and productive. However, I believe Microsoft need to focus on creating special platform for shopkeepers based on the Microsoft 365, so they could promote their shop and sale their goods online. This would required close collaboration with the government to help combat abuse too. When the society tend more on online shopping, it means decrease in mobility and it will result on greener environment. Like instead of travelling with 20 30 cars in one shop, 2 or 3 cars will come in your front doors. In the next step, they could be electricity cars or even use drones to deliver goods.Join Microsoft president Brad Smith at the Microsoft Sustainability digital event
AtMicrosoft, we’re committed to becomingcarbon negativeby 2030—and toempoweringbusinesses and organizationstoreduce their environmental impact as well. Join us for this free digital eventwithMicrosoftpresident Brad Smithtolearn howto accelerate yoursustainability journey.Get insightsfrom Microsoft expertsand hear how MicrosoftCloud for Sustainabilitycan help you: Recordall ofyouroperationalbusiness activitiesand getanearreal-timecarbonemissions footprintforyour entire operation. Reporton emissions andtrackprogress towardsustainabilitygoals—whilemaking it easier to meetregulatoryandpublic reporting requirements. Reducecarbon emissions, improve business processes, and make lasting changes. What’s Next for Sustainability Wednesday, October 27, 2021 9:00 AM–10:00 AM Pacific Time (UTC-7) Brad Smith President, MicrosoftWhy Moving to the Public Cloud would Make us Greener ?
There are discussions about cloud computing and benefit of using cloud and its advantages. However other than viewing the cloud from the technical point of view, I should mention public cloud would make us greener, for the following reasons: 1) Private Cloud is not so Green:Companies who are managing on-premise, they are also concern about budget and deployment of their services and normally they will keep old servers operational and replace it when it is out of operation. They might consider going for Green IT, but in reality they spend more time to operation and make things running rather than thinking about making it greener. 2) There is no legal liability:In several countries there is no law to enforce Green IT. They might enforce manufacturer to produce Green IT products but they are not checking operation. It is not like companies get fined or government take actions when companies are not enforcing Green IT policy. It only enforced to save cost or as part of company's ethics. 3) Going Green Cost us:Indeed in long term we would have ROI and energy we saved would paid off and it is ethical agenda but in practice companies won't look into long term return and invest on short term result. Companies won't pay more money to optimize servers for Green IT. The solution to all these problems would be Public Cloud. Cloud providers like Microsoft commit to make their data center greener. They have resources to do so and they have ethical responsibility and it means moving to the public cloud would make us greener and we shall save more resources.
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