Earth Hour 2010

Microsoft Australia is again participating in Earth Hour, which is now one of the world’s biggest mass participation events. On Saturday March 27th from 8.30pm – 9.30pm we are turning off our lights in our Australian offices.  In addition to corporate involvement, we have also encouraged our staff to participate at home.

Earth Hour participation forms one part of our environment and sustainability program in Australia. We measure our CO2 footprint and continue to reach towards our global goal to reduce our carbon emissions per unit of revenue to at least 30 percent below 2007 levels by 2012. We have established a number of staff engagement programs, including re-use and recycling programs and an ‘active commute’ initiative.

Through the use of our technology, we have also been able to reduce our energy demands and support more sustainable business practices. For example, Microsoft’s unified communications and collaboration technology has reduced the need for business travel. In 2008 we shifted to the use of Live Meeting and Roundtable for our quarterly manager’s meeting. We saved $30,000 in travel costs, 130 days in returned productivity to the business and saved of 4 tonnes of CO2. And globally, the usage of unified communications has saved Microsoft $212 million every year.

In addition to “getting our house in order”, we are also promoting the role that technology can play as our partners and customers as they take their own steps towards greater sustainability.

For more information on Microsoft Australia’s Environment and Sustainability program, please visit our site.

Beth Worrall, Environment & Sustainability Lead

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