14 DAY TRIAL // With its focus on environmental sustainability Microsoft aims no less than to set the tone for additional companies to follow with their own efforts of becoming “greener.” The Redmond company is actively working to reduce the impact of its operations and products on the environment, committed to drive technology and software innovation that will ultimately end up improving the planet. The Microsoft Environment website is an online destination designed to offer an insight on the efforts made and the solutions available from the company for Green IT. In fact, the software giant has refreshed the website recently adding new information and enhancing the UX.
“This past week we re-launched the Microsoft Environment site with improved navigation, refined design, and more content. You can also check out our new Green IT section which provides information on how you can save energy, save money and save the environment. If you haven't checked out the site in a while I encourage you to visit and let us know what you think,” revealed Francois Ajenstat, Microsoft director of Environmental Sustainability.
The new Green IT section on Microsoft Environment offers companies a chance to “solve today’s environmental challenges and enable long-term sustainability with Microsoft Green IT solutions.” The company's premise is that saving energy will ultimately lead to cutting costs and will deliver a positive impact on the environment. Microsoft is emphasizing a range of solutions from virtualization to unified communications that can help companies become greener.
“The time to move toward sustainability is now. Concerns about the economy coupled with unpredictable energy prices are increasing pressure to bring operating costs down. Meanwhile, unprecedented public awareness of environmental issues means there's a "social dividend" to be gained by companies that go green, including being able to attract great talent,” the software giant said.
Microsoft itself is making company-wide efforts to cut down emissions per unit of revenue by no less than 30% by 2012 over 2007 levels. The initiative was revealed in an email Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer sent out to all company employees, according to Microsoft Chief Environmental Strategist Rob Bernard.