Microsoft were one of the first to set themselves big, bold environmental goals, committing to become carbon negative, water positive, zero waste, and protect more land than they use by 2030. The last few years have seen major changes in the technology sector; new technologies hold promise for new innovations that can help get to the pace and scale needed to address the climate crisis, but implementing these technologies can have an environmental impact. While Microsoft is on track in some areas, it is falling behind in others.
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Communicating this effectively is a challenge in its own right. Catastrophizing the climate crisis can risk stifling action, while only focussing on the positives is tantamount to greenwashing. Microsoft’s 2024 Environmental Sustainability Report needed to celebrate the progress they are making whilst being transparent and honest about the challenges.
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","darkMode":false},{"type":"media-item","alignRight":false,"isAnimated":false,"fullWidth":false,"video":{"provider":"hosted","id":"/media/zzwebamj/3_ry24_microsoft-env-sus_collage_animation-1_1440x810.mp4","configuration":{"autoplay":true,"loop":true,"controls":false,"mute":true,"customAspectRatio":""},"poster":null,"customAspectRatio":"","customCursor":null},"mediaType":"video","darkMode":false,"darkModeHalf":false},{"type":"media-item","alignRight":false,"isAnimated":false,"fullWidth":false,"video":{"provider":"hosted","id":"/media/1vtkx5i0/4_ry24_microsoft-env-sus_ipad-1_1440x810.mp4","configuration":{"autoplay":true,"loop":true,"controls":false,"mute":true,"customAspectRatio":""},"poster":null,"customAspectRatio":"","customCursor":null},"mediaType":"video","darkMode":false,"darkModeHalf":false},{"type":"side-text","header":"Engaging audiences through visual storytelling","text":"We leaned into visual storytelling, throughout the report. External feedback has praised the consumable nature of the report. And highlighted the clear tone that is demonstrated across both the text and the visuals.
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Response to the report has acknowledged Microsoft’s overall emissions growth but noting Microsoft’s transparency, their ongoing commitment to their 2030 goals and celebrating the continued efforts to meet targets. Successfully communicating this nuance is a continual challenge, but one that this report has managed to achieve.
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