Microsoft and European Environmental Agency Partnership Announcement

Quote Sheet
14 May 2008

Professor Jacqueline McGlade
Executive Director of the European Environment Agency

"As with any challenge, information has a key role to play. We can only tackle climate change effectively if we truly begin to understand our patterns of living and how they affect our environment. This collaboration between Microsoft and the European Environment Agency will bring information on the environment into our daily lives. With easy access to such information, we can make well-informed decisions and help improve the environment."

"This cooperation does not only mean that we will have instantaneous access to the most up-to-date information on the environment. It will also empower us, citizens, to ask for more from decision-makers."

"Environmental information is currently collected by a multitude of organisations using techniques ranging from satellite observation from space to volunteers knee-deep in mud collecting water samples for laboratory analysis. We aim to gather together all this information, make it user-friendly and available electronically in one place for decision-makers and individual citizens alike."

"This collaboration is a first of its kind to establish a two-way communication on the environment. Until now, authorities, including the EEA, have communicated their data to the public. But local observers, who are often the first to notice real change in their environment, had difficulties sharing their observations with others. This partnership will provide them a platform to do exactly that."

Rob Bernard
Chief Environmental Strategist for Microsoft

"Microsoft continues to explore ways to help solve environmental issues through technology leadership and innovation, and global partnerships. Our collaboration with the EEA is one example of this commitment. We are excited and honoured to be partnering with the EEA in helping drive global change for the environment."

"Technology can make an incredibly powerful positive contribution to environmental sustainability. Microsoft is actively working with customers, partners, governmental and non-governmental organisations to create technology solutions that enable customers, businesses and organisations to understand and reduce their environmental footprints."

"We believe that the combination of real-time information coming from the network of sensors coupled with the analytical and visualization power of software will provide the EEA with a better understanding of our environment and empower European policy-makers and citizens to make well-informed decisions."

Jan Muehlfeit
Chairman, Microsoft Europe

"Global partnerships with organisations, such as the EEA, to address environmental issues worldwide represent one key area of Microsoft's overall environmental sustainability strategy."

"Environmental sustainability is a longstanding commitment at Microsoft and involves working with groups that have a global perspective and reach, including the EEA. The Observatory project will help further that commitment to improve social and environmental conditions across Europe and promote responsible environmental practices across a range of industries and regions."

"Combating climate change is a critical challenge facing all governments, and Microsoft is honoured to be working with the EEA to find ways where the power of software can be part of the solution."

"Technology can make an incredibly powerful contribution to environmental sustainability. Microsoft and the EEA's combined expertise will be a powerful salvo in the fight to achieve significant and measurable improvements in Europe's environment."