ENCOURAGING BUSINESSES TO BECOME MORE SUSTAINABLE: AN IT CORPORATION’S EXPERIENCE

We have a dedicated organization that supports our partner network, including ISVs (Independent Software Vendors) or GSI (Global System Integrators). As we have the mission to enable everyone to achieve more, we are always very responsive when a partner asks for support. To help partners grow and succeed, Microsoft invests in them — the resources, programs, and tools we offer help them skill teams, build innovative solutions, differentiate in the marketplace, and connect with customers. Microsoft's IP Co-Sell initiative offers eligible partners the unique opportunity to reach more customers and accelerate revenue through Azure Marketplace and AppSource, Microsoft's cloud storefronts.

The first step is always to review the mission of the company, see how it fits with sustainable goals – and which ones. Then measuring emissions on the different scopes comes next. We can help all along the way with namely the capabilities of our consulting arm, MCS (Microsoft Consulting Services).

They have a lot on their plate indeed, starting by reducing the emissions on their scope 1,2 and 3 but also supporting their client to reduce their own emissions and finance innovation to meet the ambitious goals set by the different COP (Conference of the Parties). Hyperscalers have a global footprint and a large share of voice that they must use for good.

Green software development is becoming an important priority. Data centers around the world currently account for 1% of global electricity demand, and are projected to consume 3-8% in the next decade. In May Microsoft together with Accenture, GitHub, and ThoughtWorks launched the Green Software Foundation with the Linux Foundation to build a trusted ecosystem of people, standards, tooling and leading practices for building green software. Microsoft has also tested hydrogen fuel cells for backup power at its data centers, as scientists have already proved that hydrogen fuel cells can be used to generate greenhouse gas-free energy from the most abundant element in the universe.

We do not know enough about species, biodiversity and ecosystems that are vital to our health and prosperity. Just understanding where the world’s forest, fields and waterways are remains a complicated task of environmental accounting. Understanding what ecosystems are natural to certain species or why they thrive or decline is largely unknown. We simply can’t solve a problem we don’t fully understand. Planetary Computer would provide insights into critical questions that scientists, conservation organizations and businesses already ask every day, often with no easy way to obtain a locally relevant answer. For example, understanding tree density, land use and size of forests has implications for biodiversity conservation and climate change mitigation; forecasts of water availability and flood risks to make educated guesses about land management; measuring and managing natural resources that sequester carbon, like trees, grasslands, and soil; and more. The project is now live with already petabytes of environmental data available.

I would suggest starting with your mission, to evaluate how sustainable goals fit to it. Then I would check with your major stockholders, clients and investors about what their asks are.