Software giant Microsoft said it would sign power deals to ensure its operations are 100%-renewable by 2025 as part of plans to become a ‘carbon-negative’ business by 2030.
The US technology giant said the complete shift to all-renewable supplies at its data centres and other facilities would be accompanied by more work to green its global supply chains.
A move to green power was one element of what the technology group claimed was a ground-breaking pledge to become ‘carbon-negative’ by 2030 – being responsible for the removal of more emissions than it creates – and by 2050 wiping out the equivalent of all the carbon it’s added since its formation in 1975.
Microsoft will also invest $1bn in technologies that contribute to emissions reduction, said company president Brad Smith.
Microsoft is among a clutch of technology giants to emerge as early heavy procurers of wind and solar to power their data centres, with Amazon, Google and Apple among other notable players with ambitious green targets.
Recharge reported last year how the US group was also considering taking direct stakes in projects as its renewables requirements grow.
However, while welcoming the tech giants’ efforts, industry commentators have pointed out that greening their supply chains remains a far more elusive goal. Microsoft said it will “incentivise” suppliers and “ implement consistent and accurate reporting and pursue effective steps to make progress against scientifically based targets”, without giving targets for its supply chain.
