Carbon neutral Windows

Software giant Microsoft has pledged to achieve carbon neutrality in its business operations in more than 100 countries during the firm's next financial year

The commitment to zero emissions, which starts on 1 July, covers the company’s data centres, software development labs, offices and employee air travel.

To achieve its goal, the producer of the ubiquitous Windows computer operating system has created an accountability model that aims to generate efficiencies, increase the purchase of renewable energy and improve data collection and reporting.

Microsoft has set an internal “price” for carbon, which reflects the amount the company has to pay to offset its emissions from electricity consumption and air travel, for example.

To encourage behaviour change, business units will be charged a carbon “fee” for their own emissions.

Microsoft says that becoming carbon neutral will help the firm reduce the impact of its operations on the environment, as well as manage its business risk and increase efficiency.