{"id":127947,"date":"2023-04-16T16:48:29","date_gmt":"2023-04-16T20:48:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/rbach.net\/?p=127947"},"modified":"2024-01-13T17:18:30","modified_gmt":"2024-01-13T22:18:30","slug":"earth-day-2023","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/rbach.net\/index.php\/earth-day-2023\/","title":{"rendered":"Earth Day 2023"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n

\"Earth<\/a> Earth Day<\/a><\/strong> is an annual event that raises awareness and promotes action on environmental issues. It was founded in 1970 and takes place every year on April 22nd. On this occasion, many IT companies showcase their efforts to reduce their environmental impact<\/strong>. In this blog post, we will look at how five of the biggest tech companies in the world – Apple, Microsoft, Google, Amazon, and Facebook – are addressing their scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions. Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions are the main sources of greenhouse gas emissions<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\r\n

\"Earth<\/a>The classification system<\/a> of Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions was developed by the Greenhouse Gas Protocol Initiative<\/a> in 1998 to help measure, manage, and reduce business greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Scope 1<\/strong> emissions come directly from resources the companies own or control, such as furnaces or delivery vehicles. Emissions that come from the generation of purchased energy, such as electricity or heat are Scope 2<\/strong>. Scope 3<\/strong> emissions include all other activities that take place beyond the companies’ direct operations. These include the production of packaging and devices, the use of products and services by customers, and the disposal of waste.<\/p>\r\n

\"The<\/a><\/p>\r\n

According to their latest sustainability reports, here are some of the highlights of how these tech giants are tackling their scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions:<\/p>\r\n

Apple<\/h3>\r\n

\"Earth<\/a>Apple<\/a> (AAPL<\/a>) claims to be carbon neutral for its global corporate operations since 2020. They plan to achieve net zero carbon across its entire business, including its supply chain and products, by 2030. This means that every Apple device sold will have zero climate impact. To do this, Apple plans to reduce its emissions by 75% by 2030 and invest in nature-based solutions to remove or offset the remaining 25%.<\/p>\r\n

To achieve its 2030 goal, Apple has reduced its emissions by 40% since 2015<\/strong>. This is largely through improvements in energy efficiency, low-carbon design, becoming carbon neutral for corporate operations, and transitioning its supply chain to renewable electricity.<\/p>\r\n

Apple uses 100% renewable energy for its operations<\/strong> in 44 countries and has helped over 110 of its suppliers switch to clean energy sources. As part of Apple\u2019s supplier engagement, the company is partnering with its chain to accelerate the move to carbon neutrality.<\/p>\r\n

The company requires reporting on progress toward these goals \u2014 specifically Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions reductions related to Apple production. More than 70% of Apple\u2019s direct manufacturing chain<\/a><\/strong> has committed to using clean power like wind or solar for all Apple production. Major manufacturing partners \u2014 including Corning Incorporated, LG Dispaly<\/a> (LGLD<\/a>), Samsung <\/a> (005930<\/a>), STMicroelectronics<\/a> (STM<\/a>) and TSMC<\/a> (TSM<\/a>) have committed<\/a> to power all Apple production with 100% renewable energy.<\/p>\r\n

Microsoft<\/h3>\r\n

\"\"<\/a>Microsoft<\/a> (MSFT<\/a>) announced its environmental goals in January 2020. The goals<\/a> include being carbon-negative, water-positive, and zero waste by 2030<\/strong>. By 2050, Microsoft also intends to remove all the carbon it has ever emitted since its founding in 1975. To achieve this, Microsoft has committed to reducing its scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions by more than half by 2030.<\/p>\r\n

According to its latest report<\/a>, Microsoft has made progress on its environmental goals by reducing its direct emissions of direct (Scope 1) and indirect (Scope 2) GHG emissions by 17%<\/strong>. They have invested in renewable energy projects, procuring carbon removals, improving water efficiency and conservation, advancing circular economy practices, and supporting ecosystem restoration.<\/p>\r\n

Microsoft has not been as successful in reducing its Scope 3 impact. The indirect emissions of GHG that occur in Microsoft\u2019s value chain, increased by 23%<\/strong>. This increase is due to the growth of its cloud and devices businesses amid the COVID-19 pandemic.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n

Google<\/h3>\r\n

\"\"<\/a>Google<\/a> (GOOG<\/a>) says<\/a> it has been working on sustainability since its founding in 1998. The search giant says that it became carbon neutral<\/a> in 2007. However, some have questioned<\/a> Google\u2019s<\/strong> definition of carbon neutrality and its reliance on carbon offsets. Carbon offsets do not remove carbon from the atmosphere or prevent additional emissions.<\/p>\r\n

In 2020, Google announced that it had not only reached net zero carbon for its operations but also offset all the carbon it had ever produced since its inception in 1998. Google’s next goal is to run its business on carbon-free energy 24\/7 by 2030, which means that every Google service will be powered by clean sources at all times and locations.<\/p>\r\n

Google does not provide historical data<\/strong> for its scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions. However, it does provide data for its carbon intensity<\/a> and its carbon footprint<\/a>. It is reported<\/a> that Google\u2019s carbon intensity decreased by 87%<\/strong> from 2007 to 2020, while its carbon footprint increased by 18%<\/strong> from 2010 to 2020. Google’s increase in carbon footprint is attributed<\/a> to its business growth, data center expansion, and changes in scope 3 emissions boundaries.<\/p>\r\n

Amazon<\/h3>\r\n

\"\"<\/a>Amazon<\/a> (AMZN<\/a>) Amazon announced its Climate Pledge<\/a> in 2019. They hope to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2040<\/strong>. As part of this commitment, Amazon has set a target to power its operations with 100% renewable energy by 2025 and to reduce its scope 1 and 2 emissions by 50% by 2030.<\/p>\r\n

According to Amazon’s plan, the online behemoth will reduce its environmental impact by investing in renewable energy projects, electric delivery vehicles, reforestation initiatives, and innovation funds. Despite these plans, Amazon\u2019s carbon emissions rose<\/a><\/strong> by 19% during the pandemic.<\/p>\r\n

Facebook<\/h3>\r\n

\"\"<\/a>Facebook<\/a> (META<\/a>), now known as Meta, has set goals<\/a> to reduce its environmental impact by 2030. These goals include net-zero emissions for its entire value chain by 2030. The goals are: Becoming water-positive by 2030; Eliminating single-use plastics in its operations by 2025; and advancing circular economy practices. Facebook relies on renewable energy to power its data centers and offices around the world and has reduced its energy intensity by more than 70% since 2011.<\/p>\r\n

Meta does not provide historical data<\/strong> for its scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions. However, it does provide data for its carbon footprint and its carbon intensity. According to these data, Meta\u2019s carbon footprint decreased<\/strong> by 94% from 2019 to 2020, and its carbon intensity decreased<\/strong> by 96% from 2018 to 2020.<\/p>\r\n

rb-<\/em><\/h3>\r\n

As we can see from these examples, these tech companies are taking steps to address their environmental impact scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions this Earth Day. However, there is still room for improvement and collaboration across the industry and beyond.<\/em><\/p>\r\n

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