Explainer: Understanding the Math Behind Microsoft’s Commitment to Become Carbon Negative by 2030

Today Microsoft is announcing an ambitious goal and a detailed plan to become carbon negative by 2030. Not only for our direct emissions but for our supply and value chains. We’re also committing that by 2050 we’ll remove from the environment all the carbon Microsoft has emitted either directly or for electricity consumption since the company was founded in 1975. We’re sharing today the new steps we’re taking, including work with our customers and the launch of a new $1 billion Climate Innovation Fund to accelerate the development of new technology to get us to our goals faster. Reaching these goals starts with understanding – and getting real – about carbon math. In this brief explainer video, Microsoft Chief Environmental Officer Lucas Joppa explains how the accounting works.


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[Clodi]

"And while the world will need to reach net zero, those of us who can afford to move faster and go further should do so."


truer words have never been spoken. I appreciate you words, now on with the actions.

[timytimeerased]

I'll be damned, this is a great plan from a huge company who does cloud computing, which few people know is a great source of carbon emission. Great approach MS, hope you deliver on those promises and inspire other companies to do so.

[ashokjeevan]

Glad that one company has started the initiative to save our home. Thank you Microsoft! Hope the other companies and individuals follow the same.

[BigScaryGames]

I think this is setting a great example. If everyone thought this way about carbon emissions, we might turn this problem around. HOWEVER, I wish Microsoft were doing more. The mission used to be something like "A PC in every household". If the mission for this new initiative were "Every household uses our new carbon emissions measurement product to measure, report, and reduce its carbon emissions", then Microsoft would be actually moving the needle on the problem rather than only setting an example in hopes that others would follow. Few organizations have the opportunity Microsoft has, and I feel this plan will realize only a tiny fraction of that potential impact.

[kingphiltheill]

Very good. Finally some sense in this crazy emotional debate. Well done, Microsoft.

[chunghuang]

So which company you'll work with to do the geological storage?

[enviroenviro]

Until about a month ago I had no idea Microsoft was doing this! This is just great, kids inherit the earth that adults give us. Great Work!

[teachonlywhatiseasy]

In case anyone missed the important part: scope 3 is much larger than scope 1 and 2.
No other company has ever mentioned scope 3 until now.
This is bold

[CascadesHomestead]

Sometimes you just gotta commit and get stuff done, thanks Microsoft! Keep us all updated on how you're doing and accelerate where possible!

[AlexanderNevermind]

Carbon credits, also known as carbon offsets, are not a long-term solution to carbon neutrality and do not make you carbon neutral. They are intended to allow an entity to "cancel out" their pollution by paying another entity to pollute less, but they don't lead to a net reduction in emissions. Some say that carbon credits are a license to pollute, and that the first step should be to reduce your own emissions.

[szymonkubicki]

I nie mówie o rozwiązaniu przedstawianym w załączonym filmiku.

[cpirius]

This is fantastic. Thank you Microsoft for taking carbon seriously.

[chaossynergy]

Bravo microsoft, thank you. Please commit to this and lead by example. Definitely a step in the right direction.

[ShivrajDhaka]

excellent representation; pathway to Net Zero Energy, Water, and Waste lead to Net Zero Carbon. Challenging job is to retrofit and make the facilities super energy efficient on continuous basis.

[kaedkinning]

Do they provide cloud computing services for fossil fuel companies?

[ion.morozan]

Thank you for taking care of our future! <3

[Jk-kitr]

Let's go Microsoft! Inspiring us all xx

Great! We all know this is a huge but necessary effort. I'm sure more companies will follow. Thank you!

[sunnyinurlife]

Hoping more companies will follow this commitment

[eazel]

I hope you succeed and you be imitated and exceeded by everyone including yourselves in this initiative.