Microsoft helps the public sector meet sustainability goals with technology
One of today’s greatest global challenges is the impact of climate change, which is causing an increase in extreme weather events such as floods, fires, hurricanes, and droughts. In light of these threats to vulnerable communities worldwide, public sector organizations play a vital role in protecting lives and livelihoods, and mitigating the impact of climate change on people, communities, and the planet. Learn how to create a better future by harnessing the power of new and emerging technologies by watching the webinar, “Implementing Sustainability Strategies in Government.”
We in the tech industry are partnering with public sector organizations on that journey, which is why Microsoft made a commitment to be carbon negative, water positive, and zero waste by 2030, all while harnessing the power of digital technology to help other organizations meet their sustainability targets. Our focus on this ‘twin transition’ of a greener world driven by green technologies has led to milestones such as the launch of the Microsoft Cloud for Sustainability last October, which helps a variety of industries to better record, report, and reduce carbon emissions.
Microsoft as a trusted partner
The road ahead for environmental sustainability relies on strong partnerships across the public and private sectors, non-profits, start-ups, and researchers. We continue to see the amazing ways these partnerships and digital technology are making the public sector prepared and resilient in the face of tomorrow’s challenges.
Our work with the United States Army Corps of Engineers is one example of the power of cloud, data, and AI to improve climate modeling and build preparedness for the impact of extreme weather on coastal communities. By enhancing storm modeling with the cloud, we are helping the United States government protect the lives and property of the most vulnerable communities around the country.
The power of digital is also in the way it enables data-informed policymaking. As part of our AI for Earth initiative, we are working with non-profits and the governments of Thailand and Costa Rica to help them stop illegal fishing. Cloud and AI algorithms are enabling those governments to monitor ship movements and protect fishing stocks, mitigating one of the greatest threats to marine ecosystems.
Finally, we are supporting public sector organizations around the globe as they break down barriers to meet their environmental targets. The city of Gandía, Spain, for example, is using connected streetlights through the cloud that report energy consumption, which annually helps to lower energy consumption by 66 percent, improve citywide lighting, and cut over 2,700 tons of carbon emissions.
Microsoft’s road to net zero
These results are just a few of the many successes being driven worldwide by a shared commitment to sustainability. This month, we reported on our progress in 2021 and the work still to be done on the road to net zero. Over the past two fiscal years, Microsoft has allocated $571 million to accelerate our carbon, water, and waste goals.
The impact has been incredible and so far, we have:
- Removed 2.5 million tons of carbon.
- Signed power purchase agreements for roughly 5.8 gigawatts of renewable energy across 10 countries.
- Helped provide more than 95,000 people with access to safe water.
- Diverted over 15,200 metric tons of solid waste from landfills and incinerators.
- Helped protect over 17,000 acres of land.
We are just getting started, and there is so much more to accomplish toward our 2030 goals. We look forward to continuing that work alongside our public sector clients and partners, in honor of our shared vision for a healthy, sustainable, and safe world.
Listen to our recent on-demand webinar where you can learn how to create a better future by harnessing the power of new and emerging technologies.
Stay up to date on Microsoft’s global approach to government by visiting the Microsoft for Government website.
