Trace Id is missing

Our Sustainability Commitment & Plan

A shared journey for a shared future

Learning from each other is good for the planet

At Microsoft, we share our sustainability story–the why, what, and how of what we do–in the hope it goes some small way in supporting you to achieve your sustainability goals. We believe that a shared journey for a shared future lies in learning from each other’s commitments, plans, tools, and resources.

Our areas of focus

We are committed to reducing our impact on the environment and supporting you in achieving your sustainability goals. The areas we can have the most impact are carbon, ecosystems, water, and waste.

A bird’s eye view of a coastal area

Carbon

We have been carbon neutral across the world since 2012 and are committed to being carbon negative by 2030. Our goal is to promote sustainable development and low-carbon business practices globally through our sustainable business practices and cloud-enabled technologies.

A black and white bird

Ecosystems

We are taking responsibility for our land footprint by committing to permanently protect and restore more land than we use by 2025. By building the tools and services to monitor and model impacts from climate or human behaviour, we can promote better understanding of our ecosystems.

A coastal area

Water

We are creating and employing tools and services to help address the world’s water challenges, including scarcity, pollution, ocean health and dramatically reducing the amount of water used at datacentres. Our work enables organisations big and small to make smarter decisions about water.

a beach

Waste

We think every device should be made with an emphasis on sustainability and aim to continually improve all our products. At our facilities, we eliminate waste through material reuse, recycling, and reducing material source consumption. All waste is treated with environmentally responsible methods.

Practical Resources

The “Good for your business, good for the planet | Technology can help all of us build a better future” e-book

Good for your business, good for the planet

Get started, do more, partner, and innovate. Discover how Microsoft can support your sustainability journey.

Four simple steps to unlock your net-zero carbon future e-book

Four simple steps to unlock your net-zero carbon future

Understand-Evaluate-Incentivise-Enlist: these four steps can help to reduce your carbon footprint over time.

A calculator and a leaf

The Microsoft Sustainability Calculator is coming soon

A practical tool to better understand your total Microsoft cloud-based carbon emissions to help reduce your environmental impact.

A decade of progress

We have learned so much over the last 10 years about how to commit to a planet-sized challenge. Significant investments have improved our sustainability and reduced our historic carbon footprint. In 2020 we stated our belief that those of us who can afford to move faster and go further should do so. That is why we announced an ambitious goal and new plan to reduce and ultimately remove Microsoft’s carbon footprint. This timeline highlights our key sustainability milestones and commitments.

  • three people standing next to eachother posing

    Carbon negative by 2030

    Microsoft has announced an aggressive program to cut direct and supply chain carbon emissions by more than half by 2030.

  • a river passing through a forest

    Historical emission removal by 2050

    By 2050, Microsoft will eliminate its historical carbon footprint by removing all of the carbon the company has emitted since its 1975 founding.

  • a large rock emerging from a lake

    A $1 billion innovation fund

    Our new Climate Innovation Fund will accelerate the global development of carbon reduction, capture, and removal technologies.

  • a person riding a bike past a Microsoft sign

    Emission reductions of 15.6 million tons

    We cut energy consumption by 10 percent across the 125 buildings on Microsoft’s main campus, reducing carbon emissions as a result.

  • a windfarm

    1.6 renewable gigawatts

    We made direct purchases of more than 1.6 gigawatts of new wind and solar energy.

  • A bird’s eye view of recyclable materials

    10 million kilograms recycled

    Microsoft recycles nearly 10 million kilograms of consumer e-waste each year.

  • a valley

    Commitment to greener datacenters

    Microsoft set a goal to reach 60 percent renewable energy by 2020.

  • a windfarm

    Emission reductions of 9.5 million tons

    We cut energy consumption by 10 percent across the 125 buildings on Microsoft’s main campus, reducing carbon emissions as a result.

  • two people holding a trophy

    Zero waste certification

    The US Zero Waste Business Council awarded Zero Waste Certification at the Gold Level to Microsoft headquarters.

  • a mountain landscape

    First renewable energy purchase agreement

    We announced our first renewable power purchase agreement (PPA) for wind energy and committed to a 20-year agreement.

  • the Microsoft logo on a sign

    Internal smart buildings solution

    Our 2013 smart building complex used new Azure IoT technology.

  • a windfarm

    Carbon offset projects across the globe

    We announced a series of investments in 15 carbon offset projects in a wide range of countries all over the world.

  • A low angle of industrial pipes in a factory

    Carbon emissions reduced by 30 percent

    New business practices and cloud-enabled technologies lowered our carbon emissions globally.

  • A straight road passing through an industrial area

    Internal Carbon Fee

    An internal carbon fee implemented in 2012, which makes make our business divisions financially responsible for reducing their carbon emissions.

  • Two people working in a factory

    Smart buildings pilot

    We began using software to make buildings more energy efficient.

  • a windmill farm

    Annual green energy purchases of 1.1 billion kWh

    The US Environmental Protection Agency recognized Microsoft as the nation’s third-largest buyer of green power in 2012.

Return to tab

Microsoft Devices Responsible Sourcing Report

Microsoft Devices is committed to increasing the sustainability of Microsoft’s products and supply chain. This FY21 report details the strategy, approach and performance of our Responsible Sourcing program.
a woman using a tablet in an industrial area
a kangaroo

Let’s bring the details to life

Explore the detail of our commitments and projects with blogs, videos, and resources. Experience an interactive look at ecosystems and Microsoft’s footprint mapping, and how Microsoft Circular Centers help achieve zero waste.