Our commitment to sustainable development
Several Microsoft initiatives help advance progress on all 17 of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which address many of society's challenges.
The SDGs we focus on
In addition to complementing our mission, our contributions to the SDGs align with our company’s purpose–to create technology that benefits everyone on the planet, as well as the planet itself.
SDG 4: Quality Education
Microsoft empowers educational institutions, educators, and students to enable inclusive, engaging, and immersive learning. Through our philanthropic programs, we invest our resources and our voice to equip people, schools, teachers, and students with digital skills and computer science education.
SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
Microsoft employs more than 150,000 employees worldwide and is committed to providing skills training and economic opportunity in the communities where we operate – with a focus on equitable and inclusive growth spurred by access to technology.
SDG 13: Climate Action
The effects of global climate change threaten every country and population on Earth. Microsoft sees mitigating the harmful effects of climate change as one of the defining challenges of our time, and believes that technology has a major role to play in achieving our goals.
SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
Online safety, data security, privacy, and the spread of misinformation have emerged as critical threats to peace and prosperity across the world. As a global technology provider, Microsoft provides tools for strengthening and protecting the institutions that are the cornerstones of prosperous societies.
“The scale and size of the challenges the world faces today, like poverty, inequality, and climate change, require all of us to join forces…”
Brad Smith, President and Vice Chair, Microsoft Corporation
The SDGs we contribute toward
As a member of the global technology community, Microsoft is proud to contribute to the broader effort required to address societal challenges the following SDGs are seeking to tackle by 2030. Explore our work with each individual SDG.
Hear from our leaders
Brad Smith, President and Vice Chair, Microsoft Corporation
In September 2021, Mr. Smith became one of the United Nations SDG Advocates. The SDG Advocates use their considerable spheres of influence to reach new constituencies to act now and keep the promise of the Sustainable Development Goals for people and for the planet.
Microsoft’s Brad Smith remains one of the UN SDG Advocates
Appointed by UN Secretary-General António Guterres, Mr. Smith’s role as an SDG Advocate focuses on bridging the digital skills gap and setting bold goals focused on environmental sustainability.
Fred Humphries, CVP, US Government Affairs, Corporate, External and Legal Affairs, Microsoft Corporation
In his new role overseeing the Microsoft UN Affairs team, Mr. Humphries will focus on contributing to the UN community and building on multi-stakeholder initiatives necessary to achieve the SDGs.
Hear from Microsoft executives
Microsoft Philanthropies in action
Kate Behncken, Vice President, Microsoft Philanthropies
Environmental stewardship
Lucas Joppa, Former Chief Environmental Officer, Microsoft Corporation
Digital peace and strong institutions
Tom Burt, Corporate Vice President, Customer Security & Trust, Microsoft Corporation
Technology and corporate responsibility
Teresa Hutson, Vice President, Technology and Corporate Responsibility, Microsoft Corporation
Digitally empowering communities
Antony Cook, Corporate Vice President and Deputy General Counsel, Customer & Partner Solutions, Microsoft Corporation
Hear from our partners
Transforming the future
Dr. Kevin Frey, CEO, Generation Unlimited
Artificial intelligence for humanitarian action
Dr. Anshu Sharma, Cofounder, SEEDS
World Health Data Hub
Dr. Samira Asma, Assistant Director-General, Division of Data, Analytics and Delivery for Impact, World Health Organization
Digital equity for underserved communities
Bryan Kariuki, Board Member, Mawingu Networks
Bridging the digital divide
Linda Eddleman, CEO, The Trust for the Americas
Additional resources
Microsoft has been committed to reporting on the SDGs for several years. We are aware the SDGs represent a multi-year commitment for all stakeholders, with eight years remaining in the journey ahead. In dedicated white papers, we have also reflected on the links between the SDGs and our work in Africa, and the relevance of the SDGs to digital peace. Explore our previous SDG reports and white papers.
2021 Microsoft UN SDG Report
Read the 2021 report
2020 Microsoft UN SDG Report
Read the 2020 report
Digital Pathways: Presentation to the Africa Group of Ambassadors in Geneva
View the white paper
Digital Peace in Cyberspace: An Invisible Pillar for the UN SDGs
Read the white paper“We find inspiration in thinking about the SDGs (and the decade of action) as a historic calling to elevate societies and empower people around the world to reach new frontiers.”
Fred Humphries, CVP, US Government Affairs, Corporate, External, and Legal Affairs, Microsoft Corporation
Microsoft at the United Nations
Reports Hub
