On Tuesday, Microsoft announced a series investments in 15 carbon offset projects in a wide range of countries all over the world.
Here’s a bit of context around these carbon offset investments from Chief Environmental Strategist Rob Bernard: “In 2012, in an effort to further our commitment to reducing Microsoft’s carbon impact, Microsoft pledged to become carbon neutral. To achieve our goal, we have implemented an internal carbon fee which we charge to business groups based on their output of carbon, primarily through electricity and air travel.”
During the fiscal year ended June 30, Microsoft invested in 15 carbon offset projects, including projects in India, Peru, Guatemala, Mongolia, China, Brazil, Kenya, Cambodia, Turkey and the U.S. Two of those projects, according to the Microsoft Green Blog, include:
· Brazil’s Acre state is home to some of the world’s most biodiverse habitats. Through our offset work, Microsoft is supporting a project which works with communities and local groups to provide alternative models of economic development which do not destroy the forest and protect the services that come from the ecosystem.
· At the base of Mt. Kenya in the center of the country, a project with small-hold farmers combines reforestation with community development activities, enabling households to improve access to food and create additional sources of income beyond subsistence farming. The members receive annual payments for each tree planted, and will receive increased income as the trees grow and sequester carbon. By helping farmers rethink their land management, the project not only reduces carbon but also helps farmers select trees that provide food, fuel wood from deadwood and small branch trimmings and medicines.
Head on over to the Microsoft Green Blog to learn more about some of the other carbon offset projects.
You might also be interested in:
· Move to the head of the class: Use OneNote to stay on top of notes, daily tasks
· Staff App Pick: Weather Flow
· Play two “Monsters University”-themed mini-games with this new Windows Phone app
Jeff Meisner
Microsoft News Center Staff