When Microsoft pledged four years ago to remove more carbon than it emits by the end of the decade, it was one of the most ambitious and comprehensive plans to tackle climate change. Now the software giant’s relentless drive to become the world leader in artificial intelligence is putting that goal in jeopardy.
According to its latest sustainability report published Wednesday, the Seattle-based company’s total impact on global warming is about 30% higher today than in 2020. That makes getting to below zero by 2030 even harder than when the country announced its carbon negative target.
To achieve its goals, the software giant will need to make serious progress very quickly in gaining access to green steel and concrete and less carbon-intensive chips, Microsoft President Brad Smith said in an exclusive interview with Bloomberg Green.