Microsoft Reports Significant Sustainability Progress Amid Rising Emissions

Toronto, Canada – In its 2024 Environmental Sustainability Report, Microsoft Corp. revealed a complex picture of its sustainability efforts, highlighting both achievements and challenges in the face of rising emissions. The report, released this week, outlines the company’s commitment to achieving carbon negativity by 2030 while grappling with a 29.1% increase in overall emissions compared to its 2020 baseline.

The tech giant reported a notable increase in its Scope 3 emissions, which encompass indirect emissions from its supply chain and product lifecycle. This rise, attributed largely to the construction of new datacenters and the embodied carbon in building materials, underscores the challenges faced by a leading cloud provider expanding its infrastructure. Despite this, Microsoft has made strides in reducing its direct emissions, achieving a 6% decrease in Scope 1 and 2 emissions through enhanced energy efficiency and renewable energy procurement.

In a bid to combat its carbon footprint, Microsoft contracted over 5 million metric tons of carbon removal in fiscal year 2023, part of a broader strategy to invest in carbon capture technologies. The company also reported a significant increase in its renewable energy portfolio, now totaling 19.8 gigawatts across 21 countries, reinforcing its commitment to match 100% of its electricity consumption with zero-carbon energy by 2030.

Microsoft’s sustainability initiatives extend beyond carbon reduction. The company achieved its water access target, providing clean water solutions to over 1.5 million people, and diverted nearly 19,000 metric tons of waste from landfills. Additionally, it exceeded its land protection goal, designating over 15,000 acres as permanently protected.

Looking ahead, Microsoft plans to tackle its Scope 3 emissions through enhanced collaboration with suppliers, requiring select partners to utilize 100% carbon-free electricity by 2030. The company is also investing in technology to improve emissions measurement and efficiency across its operations.

As Microsoft navigates the complexities of sustainability, its report reflects a dual narrative: significant progress in renewable energy and water conservation, juxtaposed with the pressing need to address rising emissions in its supply chain. The company’s ongoing commitment to innovation and partnership will be crucial as it strives to meet its ambitious environmental goals in the coming years.

Full report is available at https://query.prod.cms.rt.microsoft.com/cms/api/am/binary/RW1lMjE#page=1