1. Big Tech’s Commitment to Sustainability:
• Amazon, Google, and Microsoft have set ambitious goals to achieve net-zero carbon emissions.
• Microsoft aims to be carbon negative by 2030 and to remove its historical carbon emissions by 2050.
• Google plans to power its operations exclusively with renewable energy by 2030.
• Amazon aims to make half of all its shipments net-zero carbon by 2030 and reach net-zero carbon emissions within its operations by 2040.
2. Investment in Climate Tech:
• Big tech companies are making significant investments in climate tech startups.
• Amazon launched its $2B Climate Pledge Fund, investing in 20 startups as of May 2022.
• Microsoft has a $1B Climate Innovation Fund, focusing on carbon removal technologies.
• Google’s climate tech accelerator has led to over 40 climate tech deals in the past five years.
Microsoft’s Initiatives
1. Emissions Tracking and Carbon Accounting:
• Microsoft is developing in-house tools for emissions tracking and carbon accounting.
• The company has launched Microsoft Cloud for Sustainability to help enterprises track their carbon footprints.
2. Investments in Decarbonization Tech:
• Microsoft’s $1B Climate Innovation Fund focuses on carbon capture, utilization, and storage technologies.
• Investments include Climeworks, Heirloom, and AutoGrid.
3. Carbon Offsets:
• Microsoft is purchasing carbon offsets from innovative startups.
• It has created its own verification group to ensure the credibility of these offsets.
Amazon’s Initiatives
1. Electrifying Delivery Fleet:
• Amazon has ordered 100,000 electric delivery vehicles from Rivian.
• The company is diversifying its electric vehicle (EV) orders with other manufacturers like Lion Electric and Stellantis.
2. Investments in Transportation and Logistics Tech:
• Amazon’s Climate Pledge Fund invests in startups focused on transportation, logistics, and renewable energy.
• Notable investments include ZeroAvia and Rivian.
3. Supply Chain Carbon Footprint:
• Amazon is working on sustainable packaging and recycling initiatives.
• The company has invested in the Closed Loop Fund to develop the circular economy.
Google’s Initiatives
1. Environmental Monitoring and Data Centers:
• Google is expanding its Environmental Insights Explorer (EIE) tool for emissions tracking and climate risk analysis.
• The company aims to power its data centers with carbon-free energy by 2030 and is optimizing energy usage with carbon-intelligent computing.
2. Investments in Early-Stage Climate Tech Startups:
• Google launched the Google for Startups Accelerator: Climate Change to support early-stage climate tech startups.
• Investments include startups focused on decarbonization, grid and utility tech, and renewable energy.
3. Energy Storage and Geothermal Tech:
• Google is installing battery-based backup systems for its data centers.
• The company is partnering with Fervo to develop a geothermal power project in Nevada.