10 tech companies setting big goals to reduce climate change

Technology companies are challenging themselves to be part of the solution in fighting climate change, setting ambitious targets to reduce the carbon emissions produced by their organizations and supply chains.

Brands everywhere are embracing global environmental stewardship, turning to responsible innovation to address sustainability concerns while continuing to grow their businesses. At the all-digital CES® 2021, leaders from Procter & Gamble and Philips spoke about how sustainability is a moral and business imperative and how companies are making environmentally friendly changes.

Explore 10 other CES exhibiting companies that are setting big goals to reduce climate change and invest in a greener future.

Amazon

The Climate Pledge, cofounded by Amazon and Global Optimism in 2019, calls for net-zero carbon emissions by 2040. Companies, organizations or individuals can sign on, which commits them to

• Regularly measure and report greenhouse gas emissions.
• Implement strategies to eliminate carbon emissions.
• Neutralize remaining emissions with credible carbon offsets.

Among the pledge signatories, which represent more than 20 industries, are familiar faces at CES: Amazon, Best Buy, IBM, Microsoft, Mercedes-Benz, Philips, Schneider Electric, S4Capital, Unilever and Verizon.

AT&T

AT&T has committed to be carbon neutral across its global operations by 2035, and it sees six initiatives as the key to achieving that goal:

• Virtualization of many network functions.
• Transitioning to a low-emissions fleet.
• Accelerating energy efficiency and network optimization efforts.
• Expanding sustainable feature film and TV production.
• Supporting the renewable energy marketplace.
• Investing in carbon offsets. 

Bosch

Already having met its goal of having its 400 worldwide locations be climate neutral in 2020, Bosch is aiming higher: reduce emissions across its entire value chain by 15% by 2030.

To address these upstream and downstream emissions, Bosch will look at the following:

• Purchased goods and services, which Bosch identified as the largest carbon-emitting supplier groups.
• Transportation logistics, where they aim to reduce transport and optimize routes and capacity utilization.
• Product use, by increasing energy efficiency, shaping the product portfolio and transforming the energy sector.

Dell

Dell declared what it calls a moonshot goal for sustainability by 2030. The three-part goal constitutes the following:

• Reusing or recycling an equivalent product for every product a customer buys.
• All packaging being made from recycled or renewable material.
• More than half of product content being made from recycled or renewable material.

Facebook

In addition to continuing its commitment to net zero greenhouse gas emissions for global operators and running on 100% percent renewable energy, Facebook has committed to reaching net zero greenhouse gas emissions for its value chain in 2030.

To achieve its goal, Facebook is taking actions including

• Evaluating materials with lower carbon impacts.
• Designing products to be repairable and recyclable.
• Extending the lifespan of hardware.
• Ensuring responsible handling of product at the end of their lifecycle.
• Working with key suppliers to help them set and reach their own emission targets.

Google

Google’s vision for the feature is one that is carbon-free, and Google and Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai announced in 2020 that Google had eliminated its carbon legacy through purchasing carbon offsets.

Its next sustainability goal is running Google’s business on carbon-free energy everywhere, starting with their data centers and campuses. Outside its own business, Google is working toward achieving its carbon-free vision with a variety of initiatives:

• Helping enable 5 GW of new carbon-free energy through investment by 2030.
• Helping more than 500 cities reduce 1 gigaton of carbon emissions annually by 2030.
• Helping partners and organizations reduce their carbon usage and remove carbon from the atmosphere.
• Through tools and information, help 1 billion people make more sustainable choices by 2022.

General Motors (GM)

GM has announced plans to become carbon neutral in its owned products and operations by 2040, in addition to signing the Business Ambition Pledge for 1.5⁰C, created by the Science Based Targets initiative.

To reach its goal, GM aims to

• Decarbonize its portfolio by transition to zero-emissions vehicles, such as battery electric vehicles.
• Source renewable energy.
• Leverage minimal carbon offsets or credits.

IBM

Across its locations in more than 175 countries, IBM has committed to net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2030. 

IBM has identified near-term targets to measure progress and actions to reach its overall goal:

• Reduce greenhouse gas emissions across its operations.
• Use renewable energy for 90% of its energy consumption.
• Remove from the environment carbon emissions equal to or more than IBM’s residual emissions.

Intel

Intel is aiming to improve the sustainability of its global manufacturing practices, even as it increases is manufacturing capacity.

Intel has set a multipart 2030 goal:

• Net positive water use.
• 100% renewable power.
• Zero landfill waste.
• Additional absolute carbon emissions reductions.

Microsoft

Microsoft is upping the ante with its environmental goals, aiming to be carbon negative by 2030 and, by 2050, have removed from the environment all the carbon the company has emitted since it was founded.

Microsoft’s approach is guided by seven principles:

• Grounding in science and math.
• Taking responsibility for their carbon footprint.
• Investing in carbon reduction and removal technology.
• Empowering customers.
• Ensuring transparency.
• Advocating for carbon-related public policy initiatives.
• Enlisting their employees in advancing innovation.

With these bold commitments, the tech industry is paving the path for other companies, from global players to local manufacturers, to take real and urgent steps to reduce their carbon footprint and make their practices more sustainable for the environment.