The American social media giant Facebook has announced that all of its operations have been driven entirely by renewable energy since 2020, achieving a target set by the company in 2018 to combat climate change.
The announcement was made ahead of Earth Day, an annual event on April 22, which focuses on environmental protection. The achievement demonstrates what tech companies are doing to mitigate their negative environmental impacts as they develop new devices and power data centers in the face of rising demand for tech products. Global environmental groups including Greenpeace have been putting pressure on businesses like Facebook to become more environmental conscious for years.
Net-zero emissions
Facebook also claimed to have achieved “net-zero emissions,” which it defines as “removing the same amount of greenhouse gas emissions from the atmosphere as we emit.”
According to the US Environmental Protection Agency, these emissions lead to pollution and a warmer climate. The social media platform said that it reduced its greenhouse gas emissions by 94 percent in the last three years, exceeding its target of 75 percent reduction. Some of the emissions Facebook reduced came from its data centers, offices, and other leased buildings.
Way ahead
Facebook still has a target to reach net-zero emissions by 2030 for the business activities needed to produce its products such as its video chat device Portal. Business travel and hardware manufacturing are two examples of these activities.
Facebook also said that it is involved in various collaborations to support Earth Day. Users of the social media platform will also be able to sign up for volunteer events such as cleaning up waste in a park or planting a tree through the network’s community help feature. The company also has a climate and science information center.
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