Microsoft 365’s New Feature Can Monitor Carbon Emissions for ‘Greener’ Operations

Microsoft seems to b serious about taking its oath towards 'greener' operations forward with new ways to help companies and organizations track their carbon emissions.

Microsoft Emissions Dashboard

Recently, Microsoft has made significant efforts to help companies track their emissions, a goal that is particularly important given its prevalence in almost all large organizations.

This new announcement from Microsoft was not the first to discuss its goal to reduce carbon emissions.

In a blog from 2020---the company stated that in 2030, it would be on track to become carbon negative. Then by 2050, Microsoft will have removed all the carbon either directly or indirectly from the environment since its founding in 1975.

Now earlier this year, Microsoft released its Emission Impact Dashboard.

Microsoft Cloud-based Emissions Impact Dashboards for Azure and Microsoft 365, powered by Power BI template apps and third-party-validated carbon accounting, help you measure and manage Microsoft Cloud-based emissions and carbon savings.

The said dashboard was once initially exclusive for Azure but now became extended into Microsoft 365 as well. However, this won't be the only update users can expect soon because it will be available for more apps in the future.

According to the company, "Organisations can use the Emissions Impact Dashboard for Microsoft 365 to quantify the greenhouse gas emissions associated with their organization's usage of Exchange Online, SharePoint, OneDrive for Business, and Microsoft Teams."

But how will Microsoft's Emission Impact Dashboard function?

As a first step, you can track your direct and indirect greenhouse gas emissions associated with your cloud usage.

Additionally, you can also calculate your emissions avoided over time through data center efficiency. Finally, you can share your findings, in CO2-equivalent metric tons, through cloud data export.

Microsoft hopes to provide a transparent view of your cloud usage's carbon footprint with its Emission Impact Dashboard.

"We're committed to becoming a carbon-negative, water-positive, and zero-waste company by 2030, and we intend to be transparent with our customers about our progress toward these goals," the company explained.

How can Technology Help Reduce Emissions?

As the use of the cloud increases, especially during pandemics, the environmental and ecological costs rise. But above all, data centers are among the most resource-intense facilities.

Microsoft promised that it would use technology to reduce its customers' carbon footprints to counter the environmental problem. Plus, allotting more funding aimed at accelerating the development of technologies to reduce carbon emission.

So far, Microsoft has it planned out in the next four years with its Climate Innovation Fund that will invest $1 billion in new technologies and expand access to capital for those seeking to solve this problem around the world.

However, Microsoft is not the only tech giant to reduce carbon emissions. Similarly, Amazon, Meta, Apple, and others have also committed to having 'greener' operations typically by 2030.

This article is owned by Tech Times

Written by Thea Felicity

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