The world’s largest technology company last month pledged to remove as much carbon from the atmosphere as it has emitted in its 45 years of operation.

Microsoft will aim to be fully carbon negative (where an entity removes more carbon than it emits each year) by 2030 and hopes to have removed enough carbon to account for all direct emissions the company is responsible for by 2050. The ambitious policy has set a new benchmark for corporate action on climate change and reflects a growing trend amongst the world’s biggest firms.

In order to achieve the lofty goal, Microsoft will cut both its direct carbon emissions and emissions for their supply and value chain by 50% by 2030. In order to fund this, the company will expand its internal carbon fee, which effectively acts as a price on carbon within the company’s financial statements.

“While the world will need to reach net zero, those of us who can afford to move faster and go further should do so,” Microsoft President Brad Smith said in a statement.

“That’s why today we are announcing an ambitious goal and a new plan to reduce and ultimately remove Microsoft’s carbon footprint.”

The move comes at a time when the tech industry is under increasing pressure from its employees to take action on climate change. Last year thousands of workers from Microsoft, Google, Amazon and other tech giants joined in the global climate strikes led by Greta Thunberg.

Positive Action

• • If you’re looking to improve your workplaces sustainability, get in touch about our Workplace Engagement programs or visit BusinessRecycling.com.au for advice.

• • Do you want to talk about climate change with those around you but don’t know how to get started? The David Suzuki foundation has developed a climate conversation coach to help you have productive conversations based on common ground and shared values.

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Positive Environment News has been compiled using publicly available information. Planet Ark does not take responsibility for the accuracy of the original information and encourages readers to check the references before using this information for their own purposes.

Author: Liam Taylor