The EU has set ambitious climate targets, aiming to be the first climate-neutral continent by 2050. Technological advancements, particularly in artificial intelligence (AI), are crucial for accelerating progress towards these goals.
In our latest #TechTalk, we sat down with Melanie Nakagawa, Microsoft’s Chief Sustainability Officer, to discuss how digital technologies, including AI, can help speed up the EU’s transition and to reflect on the progress made and the challenges ahead as we reach the midpoint towards achieving our own sustainability goals.
In the episode, Melanie explains that Microsoft’s commitment to being carbon negative, water positive, and zero waste by 2030 has already led to significant advancements in sustainability, including in Europe. One of the most notable achievements is in water replenishment and access. Microsoft has committed to providing water access to over 1.5 million people worldwide, and we are on track to replenish more water than we consume in key basins where we operate, like datacenters or campuses.
According to Melanie, another great area of progress is towards becoming a carbon negative business. That not only means reducing the amount of carbon Microsoft emits on an annual basis but also removing the rest. Since the start of its carbon removal program, Microsoft has scaled this market to nearly 30 million tonnes, with 22 million tonnes procured in the last fiscal year alone, which is more than in all previous years combined.
Amongst the biggest remaining challenges, Melanie highlights addressing the over 96% of emissions coming from the supply chain, including fuels, chips, and building materials, and working with partners to help accelerate their decarbonization efforts. For instance, the low-carbon steel facility Stegra exemplifies how European companies are contributing to this area, but more efforts are needed to help scale. Additionally, the acceleration of grid decarbonization in Europe is crucial for powering our operations with carbon-free energy.
Melanie commended the EU on the progress that has taken place on the way to achieving their targets but also pointed to the pivotal role that AI is playing in advancing these sustainability goals. For example, in Europe, AI is optimizing complex energy systems like transmission grids, enabling the integration of more clean energy. The German company E.ON uses AI for predictive maintenance, deploying drone technology to monitor 700,000 km of transmission lines. This innovation not only reduces emissions but also enhances reliability and service. Moreover, AI can help accelerate scientific discovery, significantly shortening timelines for research and development. This rapid progress is vital for achieving Europe’s ambitious environmental goals. “As we think about 2050,” she said, “we have to go faster, and we have to raise the ambition.”
Watch the full #TechTalk with Melanie Nakagawa here.