MICROSOFT REPORT ON ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY

Microsoft launched Microsoft Cloud for Sustainability and advanced global sustainability initiatives. The company is focused on achieving its sustainability goals by 2030, which are grounded in science and aimed at protecting the ecosystem and preventing serious consequences of climate change. As the company has committed to become carbon negative by 2030, it is not only a challenge to support business sustainability, but also an invitation to the world to join this journey, translating ingenuity into action and action into impact. In addition to the commitment to become carbon negative, the company has made progress in achieving its goals for water, waste and ecosystems by 2030:

• „Water positive“ – Signed contracts for more than 15.6 million m3 in water benefits and provided more than 850,000 people with clean water and sanitation, including 163,000 in Brazil, India, Indonesia and Mexico. The total number of water restoration projects is now 35 million m3.
• „Zero waste“ – The reuse and recycling rate of all Cloud hardware products reached 82%, bringing them closer to their 2030 goal of 90%. They also reduced the use of single-use plastic packaging to 3.3% and plan to eliminate it by 2025, while diverting 12,159 metric tons of solid waste from landfills.
• Ecosystem protection – In 2022, they designated 12,000 hectares of contracted land as protected, which exceeds the 11,200 hectares of land they currently use and remain committed to protecting more land than they use.

Most Microsoft users have committed to reducing their carbon footprint, and the company is helping them turn those commitments into progress. Some of the tools used for this purpose are Microsoft Cloud for Sustainability, launched in June 2022, offering digital tools to measure and reduce emissions; updates Emissions Impact Dashboard help Azure customers understand their emissions when using the Cloud and the emissions avoided, while the trial version Microsoft Planetary Computer-a uses artificial intelligence and geospatial data to help users manage ecosystems and climate risks.

A DECADE OF INNOVATIONS AND DECISIVE ACTIONS

Microsoft is deeply committed to using its voice to influence sustainability policies around the world by supporting public policy initiatives that accelerate carbon reporting, emissions reduction and removal, clean energy transition, water access and stress reduction, as well as the ability to measure, manage and protect ecosystems. In 2022, Microsoft, ClimateWorks Foundation and more than 20 leading organizations launched an important new initiative called Carbon Call. The company is investing in accelerating climate innovation through a $1 billion fund Climate Innovation Fund (CIF). In November 2022, Microsoft and BCG released a new report, Closing the Sustainability Skills Gap: Helping businesses move from promise to progress.

This report highlights the need for employers and governments to invest in improving the knowledge and skills of the existing workforce through learning focused on sustainability knowledge and skills, to prepare the next generation for the sustainability jobs of the future. “Based on the 2022 Environmental Sustainability Report, we are proud to say that Microsoft has made significant progress in achieving our sustainability goals, including achieving carbon neutrality for our operations and reducing our carbon footprint. We remain committed to driving further progress and innovation in sustainability, and we recognize the importance of working with our partners and customers to achieve a more sustainable future for all„, said Tatjana Skoko, Sustainability Leader for Southeast Europe at Microsoft.

The company is optimistic about decarbonizing the global economy while growing as a community. It will invest in three areas to fight the climate crisis: advancing AI-based solutions, accelerating sustainable markets and creating tools to measure emissions. This decade calls for innovation and action, from using artificial intelligence for sustainability to creating new partnerships. Microsoft is committed to sustainability as a company, technology provider and global citizen.

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