In just one year, we have seen a significant acceleration in AI adoption, opening new horizons for innovation, discovery, and solutions. This surge in AI isn't just about technological advancements. It's about fostering innovation, solving society's biggest challenges and harnessing the potential to change lives for the better. Microsoft's role and responsibility as a leader in AI is reflected in the company's commitment to ensuring broad access to Microsoft technologies that enable organizations and individuals to serve the public good.
We build and operate a global network of advanced data centers that enable this technology, and we recognize the important role our community plays in this ecosystem. We rely on an extensive network of local suppliers, officials, stakeholders and residents to plan, design, build and operate each facility. To these communities, we have a commitment to being a responsible neighbor and fostering digital innovation while contributing positively to the local economy and ecosystem. We recognize the importance of supporting our communities, and our data centers must be a resource that addresses local needs and priorities.
With that, we're excited to announce the Data Center Community Pledge, which builds on the deep partnerships we've formed with communities around the world. It's our promise that Microsoft's data centers will not only be the backbone of modern technology, but also a force for good in the communities they serve.
The Data Center Community Pledge focuses on three key areas:
Contributing to a sustainable future
We will design and operate our data centers to support society's climate goals and be carbon negative, water positive and zero waste by 2030.
Our sustainability efforts start with taking responsibility for the space in which we operate. We remain committed to achieving carbon negativity by 2030, and our data centers play a pivotal role in this comprehensive decarbonization strategy.
By 2025, we will source 100% renewable energy globally, significantly expanding and decarbonizing local power grids.
Our data center designs are more water efficient than traditional enterprise data centers, and by 2030 our plan is to replenish more water than we consume locally.
Another important aspect of our work is achieving zero waste. In 2020, we introduced the first Microsoft Circulation Center in Amsterdam, designed to reuse and repurpose servers and hardware in data centers. Since then we have built more than 10 recycling centers in key locations to help prevent waste from going to landfill, and by 2030 our plan is to achieve zero waste through a combination of waste reduction, reuse, recycling and composting. no see.
This pledge minimizes our dependence on local resources and ensures that our operations contribute positively to the local community.
Learn more about this task:
Promoting community prosperity and well-being
We will deliver significant local, economic, social and environmental benefits to the communities in which we operate.
Local residents know their community better than anyone else. That's why we work with local stakeholders to ensure data centers provide support in the form of training programs, grants and other initiatives tailored to local needs and priorities.
We work with local governments, businesses, schools and non-profits to create good-paying jobs and apprenticeship opportunities and provide essential digital skills training and STEM education for adults and children. Our goal is to provide community members with the future-ready skills they need for the digital age, so they are prepared for the opportunities of tomorrow.
We invest in initiatives to strengthen local sustainability. We invest in projects that restore sensitive watershed corridors, preserve trees, enhance native flora, and protect ecological habitats, providing benefits to surrounding ecosystems and respecting the natural beauty of the region.
Our data centers generate tax revenue and public infrastructure improvements that serve as a catalyst to improve the quality of life in these regions. This translates into new and improved social services like parks where families can come together, better-equipped schools to empower children's education, and well-maintained roads and digital infrastructure that connects us all.
Learn more about this task:
Operate responsibly as a good neighbor
We will work closely with the local community and operate in a way that respects the local environment.
We strive to be responsible neighbors in everything we do. We listen, learn, build relationships, and deliver on our commitments based on what matters locally. We will design our data centers with the environment and community in mind. From sustainable development practices and building materials to noise and light reduction measures, we will work with and support the environment and communities in which we are based.
We will partner with our neighbors and communities throughout our development and operations, while partnering with nonprofits and vendors who share our commitment to expanding opportunity for all.
Learn more about this task:
We approach this work to create positive change, improve the communities in which we operate, and make a significant contribution to digital transformation. Through our partnerships, we are shaping a future at the forefront of technology and deeply rooted in social responsibility and environmental sustainability.
Our investments not only benefit the countries in which we operate, but also embody our promise to be good neighbors. As we build a data center in your community, we're here for you all.