Microsoft to roll out cloud-based sustainablity platform globally

Microsoft yesterday confirmed it will be rolling out its newly acquired CarbonSystems Enterprise Sustainability Platform (ESP) application throughout its global empire. The application is a software platform to help reduce emissions and energy bills, is cloud-based, and will help Microsoft track its performance environmentally.

CarbonSystems is an Australian based IT company and developed the system from a device used to read electricity smart meters. This has since been expanded to manage an entire sustainability plan for a company and has been snapped up by Microsoft as the tool it wants to use for its vast business. CarbonSystems already has around 110 customers signed up to the program according to their chief executive, David Solsky.

Microsoft has made it clear that it intends to improve its environmental credentials, and this will help assess the impact of their efforts and the payback period and efficiency of their investments. It has already said it intends to cut its emissions by 30 per cent by the end of the year, compared to 2007 levels, but this could mean new tougher targets could be put in place for a future period.

The ESP is expected to create a swift return on investment however, with efficiencies as well as the ability to automatically collect data for Carbon Disclosure Project reporting, meaning the project will pay for itself.

The IT industry is a growing source of carbon emissions, and market leaders like Microsoft need to be seen to show the way on reducing emissions within the industry. Google has also been involved in this process, with a move towards green energy and green data centres. Data centres are seen as a key growth area for carbon emissions, as more and more information is stored remotely and IT use continues to grow.

It is also an obvious area for IT companies to look to make savings. Reducing energy use through efficient technology can save huge amounts of money in energy bills