Microsoft promises to cut carbon emissions by 75% by 2030

Microsoft has made a pledge to reduce its carbon emissions by 75%.

In a recent blog post, Brad Smith, Microsoft’s president and chief legal officer, said the company will do this by 2030, against a 2013 baseline. “We’ll do this through continued progress against our carbon neutrality and renewable energy commitments, as well as investments in energy efficiency,” he explained.

Smith explained how Microsoft is already making significant progress in reaching its sustainability goals. “Our cloud-based programmes to reduce resource consumption have already contributed to our 20% global energy reduction at our facilities, reducing emissions and our power bill. The data we’ve collected on our energy consumption laid the groundwork for us to now buy our own clean energy at market rates, and we’ll soon be powering our Puget Sound campus with 100% carbon-free energy. Put simply, the environment and our business both benefit each time we’ve implemented sustainability targets and goals.

“As a global company, the changes we make in how we operate our business and the goals we set have a worldwide impact,” Smith concluded. “It’s our hope that this pledge inspires others to join us in setting targets, and provides confidence to governments, companies and individuals that it’s possible for entities to help reach the goals set in the Paris climate agreement. By raising our ambitions and taking these actions, our goal is to help make the future more sustainable and beneficial to everyone.”