Blog Posts

Making Carbon Neutrality Everyone’s Responsibility at Microsoft

May 8, 2012

Beginning in fiscal year 2013 (which starts this July 1), Microsoft will be carbon neutral across all our direct operations including data centers, software development labs, air travel, and office buildings.

Going Carbon Neutral and Putting an Internal Price on Carbon

May 7, 2012

The model of accountability is based on an internal carbon fee that will make Microsoft’s business divisions responsible for the cost of offsetting the carbon emissions associated with their electricity use and air travel.

Microsoft Recognized by EPA as Leading Green Power Purchaser

April 23, 2012

According to the EPA’s Green Power Partnership program, Microsoft earned this recognition by purchasing more than 1.1 billion kilowatt-hours (kWh) of green power annually, which is enough green power to meet 46 percent of our electricity use, and is the annual equivalent to taking more than 150,000 passenger vehicles off the road.

Microsoft Research & the Environment

April 19, 2012

From increasing the energy efficiency of computing in data centers to addressing the era of data-intensive science, Microsoft Research is exploring ways to protect our planet.

Earth Day: Microsoft Research FetchClimate! Puts Big Climate Data in the Hands of Many

April 19, 2012

Blog post and video showing cloud-based, intelligent data-retrieval service for climate information.

Thinking Off the Grid: Independence for today’s Data Centers via Data Plants?

April 18, 2012

Integrating a data center directly into the power plant -- what we are calling our Data Plant program -- will allow a data center to pick its sustainable fuel source and shield itself from grid volatility.

Earth Day 2012: A Progress Report

April 16, 2012

Ahead of Earth Day 2012 Microsoft announces it has passed significant sustainability milestone, reducing carbon emissions 30 percent per unit of revenue below 2007 baseline.

7 Windows Phone Apps for Staying Green

Feb. 1, 2012

Josh Henretig shares his collection of apps to help you support sustainability and reduce your carbon footprint.

Windows 8 and the Quest for Energy Efficiency

Nov. 10, 2011

Find out about power management for Windows 8 and efforts to build a more power-smart operating system.

Microsoft Named One of Top Green IT Companies

Oct. 24, 2011

Computerworld ranks Microsoft fourth in its annual Top Green-IT Organizations feature.

Smarter Buildings, Lower Costs Through Software

Oct. 5, 2011

White paper: Software can curb energy use, pay for itself in 18 months in lower energy costs.

Microsoft Joins Reconnect Program to Help Make Electronics Recycling Free and Convenient

April 21, 2010

Dell and Goodwill Industries International announced that Microsoft would join the Reconnect computer recycling program, in which consumers recycle used personal electronics at no cost

Press Releases

Smart Grid Implementation Rises 25 Percent in the Past Year, According to Utilities Industry Survey

Jan. 24, 2012

Third annual survey uncovers critical need for business intelligence solutions that manage massive amounts of data for business insight.

Microsoft Headquarters Will Switch to 100 Percent Recycled Paper

April 19, 2011

Company to team with local Grays Harbor Paper, saving approximately 8,000 trees each year.

Microsoft, the Smithsonian Institution and TakingITGlobal Announce Worldwide Program for Teachers and Students to Use Technology to Address Global Environmental Issues

Oct. 27, 2010

World’s most innovative educators and school leaders gather in South Africa for the Partners in Learning Worldwide Innovative Education Forum.

Feature Stories

Slide Show: PC Makers Going Greener

Jan. 26, 2012

See new PCs that reduce environmental impact in areas from power to packaging.

Shrinking the Datacenter

April 21, 2011

Microsoft reports on its efforts to improve the environmental efficiency of its datacenters and operations.

Study: Cloud Cuts Carbon Emissions

Nov. 4, 2010

Companies running applications in the cloud can reduce carbon emissions by 30 percent or more.

Microsoft Driving for Greener Datacenters

April 19, 2011

Christian Belady on increasing efficiency of the datacenters behind more than 200 cloud services.

Cloud Computing Helps Scientists Study Biosphere

Oct. 12, 2010

Project aids researchers in analyzing vast amounts of data without supercomputers.

Eye on Earth Monitors Air, Water

April 18, 2010

Cloud-based system gives Europeans regular updates on their air, water quality

Businesses Go Green with Microsoft Technology

April 18, 2010

Businesses reduce travel, get more from servers, connect virtually – all with Microsoft tools

Tips: Ten Things to Do Today for a Greener Tomorrow

April 18, 2010

Simple things people can do to reduce energy use, greenup their lives

Windows 7 Manager Discusses Energy-Efficiency Boost

Feb. 10, 2010

A conversation with the man who helped make Windows 7 more energy-efficient

Microsoft Delivers New Climate Change Tools

Dec. 14, 2009

Microsoft was active participant in COP15 environmental conference

Using the Power of IT to Drive Environmental Sustainability

Dec. 6, 2009

Rob Bernard, chief environmental strategist for Microsoft, outlines how technology can help solve big environmental problems

Microsoft to Shift Servers, Culture to New Green Lab

Sept. 14, 2009

Redmond Ridge, a new computer lab, provides Microsoft a place for testing greener technology