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In 2020, Microsoft became the first major company to announce it would be carbon negative by 2030, meaning it would remove more carbon than it emits annually. By 2050, it aims to erase all carbon ever emitted since its founding in 1975.
Core initiatives:
- Investment in Climeworks’ direct air capture technology.
- Support for reforestation and soil carbon projects globally.
- Introduction of a carbon fee internally across business divisions to fund decarbonization efforts.
By 2023, Microsoft had contracted to remove 2.5 million metric tons of CO₂, making it a top corporate buyer of carbon removal services.
Strategic insight:
While most companies focus narrowly on emissions reduction, Microsoft’s dual commitment to reduction and removal sets a new high bar, pushing beyond net-zero towards climate repair.
Sources:
https://blogs.microsoft.com/blog/2020/01/16/microsoft-will-be-carbon-negative-by-2030/
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/sustainability/carbon
