Microsoft's Lean, Green and Accountable Track to Going Carbon Neutral

One of Eastside's Largest Businesses, Microsoft, is taking a big step in Sustainable Business Practices this July by going Carbon Neutral!

I spoke with their Chief Environmental Strategist, Rob Bernard, online today.  He said, "The cost of carbon is to drive behavioral change."

Microsoft is putting an internal price on carbon and this is making carbon neutrality everyone's responsibility at Microsoft.  This includes data centers, software development labs, air travel and office buildings.  Not only will this "infuse" awareness, but it will also establish a discipline at scale across the business.  To support this program, they have the three pillars - Be lean, Be green and Be accountable.

How is it going so far?

"The real test will be 6 to 9 months from now, once it is all rolled out.  Then we will see how its being adopted", said Bernard.   He continued, "So far there are good signs - a keen interest from around the company."

Sustainability champions within the company play an important role in how this program is adopted.  Specifically they are helping to drive the reduction of energy use in buildings by 3-10%.  Bernard said, "The Champions are self-selected.  We were pleased with the number who have volunteered."  Communication with the Champions is done through newsletters, emails and meetings.

 Each quarter Microsoft hands out an "Environmental Action Award."  The most recent recipient of this award will be spotlighted soon on EcoEastside's Facebook page.

 Reporting carbon footprint and other sustainable practices, like waste diversion, is nothing new for Microsoft.  Bernard said, "It is important to get done, so we do it."  In the process they just happen to be pushing the envelope.  He described it as, "How technology can be leveraged to make better use of all resources."

 Other sustainable active programs include:

• Reduction Goals for waste - including a 63 to 80% diversion rate and 95% diversion rate in their dining facilities.  95%!  It is not surprise that Microsoft was one of the Washington State recipients of the 2012 WSRA Recycler of the Year.  Bellevue College and Bellevue School District also received this award for 2012.
• The smarter buildings pilot is predicted to save 1.5 million in 18 months. This takes part in the operations of the building.  "It is being done using technology", said Bernard.
• White Paper - The IT Efficiency Imperative.  
• Carbon Systems - Enterprise Systems Platform (ESP).  Microsoft has been carbon reporting through this carbon disclosure project platform for the last 7 years.  
• They have an internal open forum called MS Green.  This is a self selected email group of about 1000 employees and contractors that discuss mass transit, energy conservation, organic farming and more. 
• and more, check out the Microsoft Environment site here.

Will the three pillars be enough to drive a large corporation like Microsoft to Carbon Neutrality?

Be lean - is taking something of what we are all familiar with efficiency and adding a technology element to the mix -  where better to start then Microsoft?

Be green - Purchasing more renewable energy is going to get easier as more options are opening and the technology is advancing rapidly in this field too.

Be accountable - With an internal price on carbon being set, a quantifiable measure has been added to the picture.  It is a new variable not be taken lightly in daily operations.

 It is a track worth following in the coming months.  As they mention in their Carbon Neutral document, "This is a learning process, and we will evolve our approach over time based on results." Keep informed of this journey through the Microsoft Environment blog here.