Case+Study+1+ +Microsoft+and+UN+Sustainable+Development+Goals+ +2021+report

Microsoft and the United Nations
Sustainable Development Goals
2021 Report
We support the Sustainable Development Goals

When your technology
changes the world,
you bear a responsibility
to help address the world
you have helped create.
Brad Smith, President and Vice-Chair, Microsoft Corporation
and
Carol Ann Browne, Chief of Staff and Executive Communications, Microsoft Corporation
in
Tools and Weapons: The Promise and Peril of the Digital Age
September 2019
(Updated: Paperback, September 2021)
Microsoft Sustainable Development Goals 2021 Report 1

Contents Section Two: The SDGs we contribute toward 35
Q&A: Dr. Anshu Sharma, Cofounder, SEEDS 36
Spotlight: New UN SDG Advocates 2021 3 SDG 1: No Poverty 38
Spotlight: Brad Smith appointed new SDG Advocate 4 SDG 2: Zero Hunger 41
Q&A: Dr. Samira Asma, Assistant Director-General, Division of Data,

Foreword 6
Analytics and Delivery for Impact, World Health Organization 44
Authors 8 SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being 47
Microsoft’s commitment to societal impact 9 Q&A: Bryan Kariuki, Board Member, Mawingu Networks 51
Our reflections on technology and innovation

SDG 5: Gender Equality 53
as a means of implementation 10
SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation 55
SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy 59
Q&A: Teresa Hutson, Vice President, Technology and

Corporate Responsibility, Microsoft Corporation 62
SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure 66
Section One: The SDGs we focus on 11 SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities 69
Q&A: Antony Cook, Corporate VP and Deputy General Counsel,

Q&A: Kate Behncken, Vice President, Microsoft Philanthropies 12
Customer & Partner Solutions, Microsoft Corporation 73
SDG 4: Quality Education 14 SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities 76
Q&A: Charlotte Petri Gornitzka, Deputy Executive Director,

Partnerships, United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) 17 79
SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth 19 SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production 82
Q&A: Lucas Joppa, Chief Environmental Officer,

SDG 14: Life Below Water 86
Microsoft Corporation 22
SDG 13: Climate Action 24 SDG 15: Life on Land 88
Q&A: Tom Burt, Corporate Vice President, Customer

Security & Trust, Microsoft Corporation 28 92
SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions 30 SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals 94
Microsoft Sustainable Development Goals Report 2021 2

Spotlight: New UN SDG Advocates 2021
Spotlight: New UN SDG

Advocates 2021
© UN Photo/Jean-Marc Ferré
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres
On 17 September 2021, United Advocates ahead of the 76th UN

Nations Secretary-General General Assembly. The Advocates
António Guterres appointed will champion the key issues of The SDG
Nobel Peace Prize laureate Kailash climate action, bridging the digital Advocates …
Satyarthi, STEM activist Valentina divide, gender equality, and the
Muñoz Rabanal, Microsoft promotion of children’s rights. reach new
President Brad Smith, and pop
“We are at a pivotal moment. The
constituencies to
superstars Blackpink as new
Sustainable Development Goals choices we make now could put act now and keep
us on a path towards breakdown
(SDG) Advocates.
and a future of perpetual crisis; or
the promise of the
Secretary-General Guterres, breakthrough to a greener and Sustainable
calling for immediate action safer world,” declared Guterres.
to protect our most precious “The SDG Advocates use their
Development
assets—from the oceans to outer considerable spheres of influence Goals
space—and to deliver on our to reach new constituencies to act
common aspirations—peace, now and keep the promise of the
for people and
global health, a livable planet— Sustainable Development Goals for the planet.
appointed these new SDG for people and for the planet.”
Source: UN SDG Advocates Press Statement, 17 September 2021 https://www.unsdgadvocates.org/news/un-secretary-general-appoints-four-new-sdg-advocates-1

Spotlight: Microsoft and UN SDG Advocates
Spotlight: Brad Smith appointed

new SDG Advocate
Brad Smith
President and Vice-Chair, Microsoft Corporation
On 17 September 2021, United “The scale and size of the

Nations Secretary-General challenges the world faces
António Guterres appointed today, like poverty, inequality, The scale and
Microsoft President Brad Smith as and climate change, require all
a new SDG Advocate. As company of us to join forces and develop size of the
president, Brad plays a key role in new solutions, many of which
challenges the
spearheading Microsoft’s work on can be enabled or accelerated
critical issues at the intersection of through digital technology. As world faces today,
technology and society, including we aspire to live our mission to
cybersecurity, environmental create opportunity for everyone,
like poverty,
sustainability, human rights, and everywhere, we look forward to inequality, and
philanthropy. partnering with governments,
industries, and civil society on the
climate change,
In his new role as SDG Advocate,
Mr. Smith will focus on bridging the
UN’s 17 SDGs by contributing our require all of us to
creativity, expertise, and know-
digital skills gap and will emphasize how to unleash the power of join forces ….
setting bold goals focused on digital technology.”
environmental sustainability:

Spotlight: Microsoft and UN SDG Advocates
Co-chaired by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo of Ghana
and Prime Minister Erna Solberg of Norway,
the United Nations Secretary-General’s SDG Advocates
are prominent citizens and world leaders who
mobilize action to deliver the SDGs by 2030.
Sustainable Development Goals Advocates, September 2021

President Nana Addo Dankwa Hindou Ibrahim, activist for Jeffrey Sachs, Director, The Earth
Akufo-Addo of Ghana (Co-chair) climate action and indigenous Institute, Columbia Climate School
rights
Prime Minister Erna Solberg of Kailash Satyarthi, Nobel Peace
Norway (Co-chair) Graça Machel, founder and Chair Prize laureate, founder of Kailash
of the Board, Graça Machel Trust Satyarthi Children’s Foundation
Her Majesty Queen Mathilde of
the Belgians Dia Mirza, actor, UN Environment Brad Smith, President, Microsoft
Programme Goodwill Ambassador Corporation
His Royal Highness Muhammadu
Sanusi II, Emir of Kano Valentina Muñoz Rabanal, STEM Forest Whitaker, founder and CEO,
activist Whitaker Peace & Development
Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Initiative, UNESCO Special Envoy
Nasser of Qatar Edward Ndopu, public intellectual, for Peace and Reconciliation
humanitarian, and founder of
Blackpink, K-pop girl group A Billion Reasons
Richard Curtis, screenwriter,
producer, and film director
In his new role as SDG Advocate, Mr. Smith will focus on

bridging the digital skills gap and will emphasize setting
bold goals focused on environmental sustainability.
Source: UN SDG Advocates Press Statement, 17 September 2021 https://www.unsdgadvocates.org/news/un-secretary-general-appoints-four-new-sdg-advocates-1

Foreword
Foreword
John Frank
Vice President, United Nations Affairs
Microsoft Corporation
Microsoft has participated in team to deepen our relationship

the Sustainable Development with the UN. In that time, we
Goals (SDGs) since 2015, when have been working to build
the United Nations (UN) created relationships and engage
the Global Goals as a blueprint to across the UN community on
mobilize efforts across all Member advancing the SDGs through Advancing our
States and stakeholder groups. multistakeholder collaborations. mission means
The SDGs set 17 universal goals
to achieve by 2030, ensuring
Fundamentally, the Global Goals contributing to a
are consistent with our company’s
that we take the bold steps
mission to empower every future that
necessary to tackle the most
person and every organization empowers
pressing challenges we face today,
on the planet to achieve
including poverty, inequality,
climate change, and universal
more. Microsoft’s partnerships everyone.
have provided support to the
healthcare.
Secretary-General’s plan for a
One and a half years ago, comprehensive UN response
Microsoft created its UN Affairs to the coronavirus pandemic to

Foreword
save lives, protect societies, and Office monitor human rights Microsoft is making to achieve the
recover better. Microsoft has developments around the world. 17 SDGs—typically by exercising
partnered with the World Health the power of digital technology.
We believe technology can be
Organization (WHO) to develop Notably, for this year’s report, you
a positive force in transforming
big data solutions that will greatly will also hear from Microsoft CELA
our world and people’s lives
increase the scientific capacity of executives and external partners
when it is developed and used in
WHO to address the coronavirus on the joint efforts we are making
trusted, responsible, and inclusive
pandemic and future health to fast-track progress on the SDGs.
ways. Advancing our mission
challenges.
means contributing to a future The Microsoft commitment to
We have increased digital that empowers everyone. That is addressing some of the biggest
inclusivity by promoting why we are putting technology challenges facing the future of
innovative, lower-cost solutions to in the hands of those who are society inspires me. Through
bring broadband access to rural addressing our most pressing innovation, investment, and
Africa; and partnered with UNICEF societal challenges—so they can partnership, we seek to advance
in developing the Learning have a greater impact. the SDGs and contribute to a
Passport to provide education for sustainable future that is truly
displaced and refugee children We have produced this Microsoft for everyone. I look forward to
and young people through a and the United Nations Sustainable building on these efforts with the
Development Goals 2021 Report
digital remote learning platform. UN community and to
This builds on longer-standing to share more information about contributing to multistakeholder
partnerships with the UN High that work with you. For the second initiatives necessary to achieve the
Commissioner for Human Rights year in a row, we aim to highlight SDGs.
on Rights View, which helps the some of the contributions that
For the second year in a row, we aim to

highlight some of the contributions that
Microsoft is making to achieve the 17 SDGs—
typically by exercising the power of
digital technology.

Authors
Jean-Yves Art Daniel Akinmade Emejulu

Senior Director Program Manager
Strategic Partnerships UN Affairs
Contributors
Alessandra Pistoia John Galligan
Ankur Patel John Hering
Amanda Craig Julian Wilmouth
Bonnie Lei Katie Bates
Britt Peemoller Katie Ross
Cameron Birge Keelan Shirkey
David Rhew Kelly Stumbaugh
Elizabeth Wilmott Lani Cossette
Eliza Roberts Liza Georgie
Fatema Kothari Luis Montero
Huizen Qian Lydia Carroon
Jen Herink Mario Canales
Jade Sepolen Marianne Philips
Janice Francisco Michele Burlington
Jenn Roth Rachel Azafrani
Jessica Rafuse Rebecca Hoskins
Joann Huang Sonali George
Corporate, External, & Legal Affairs (CELA)
Positioned in the Microsoft CELA department, the new United Nations Affairs team focuses on advancing
Microsoft partnerships with the United Nations and its agencies, building relationships with UN representatives,
identifying new opportunities for partnerships, building stronger connections between Microsoft and UN teams,
advocating for the UN’s priorities within Microsoft, and working across the company to support Microsoft teams
in their engagements and advocacy with the UN community.
© September 2021 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. This document is for informational purposes only. Microsoft makes no warranties, express or
implied, with respect to the information presented here.

Microsoft’s commitment to societal impact
Microsoft’s commitment
to societal impact
In addition to complementing our mission, our contributions to the SDGs align with our company’s purpose—to
create technology that benefits everyone on the planet, as well as the planet itself.
The world today is confronted by a historic health and economic crisis, persistent issues of systemic racial
injustice and inequity, and the devastating effects of climate change. Accelerated by the coronavirus pandemic,
rapid advances in technology are drastically reshaping how people live, work, and learn. We have seen years of
digital transformation happen in mere months. And while there is great potential for technology to help address
society’s biggest issues, the pace of this change is also raising new challenges and intensifying existing inequities
in our communities.
We are witnessing a drastically widened skills and employability gap; an intensified unmet demand for access
to broadband and the critical services it provides; and increased urgency to protect the planet and the
fundamental rights of everyone on it—including the 1 billion-plus people with disabilities. It is critical that we
apply technology and innovations to address these challenges without sacrificing core values like trust, privacy,
transparency, and inclusion.
That is why Microsoft is focused on four interconnected pillars to help ensure everyone can participate and
thrive in an increasingly digital economy:
1. Support inclusive 3. Commit to a with technology if people do

economic opportunity sustainable future not trust the technologies or
We believe economic opportunity the companies behind them.
We must address climate change
should be inclusive—for every That is why we take seriously our
for a more sustainable future.
country, every community, every responsibility to earn trust. Without
While the coronavirus pandemic is
business, and every person, it, progress is not possible. Every
the defining issue of the moment,
including the 1 billion-plus people day, we strive to earn the trust of
addressing the climate crisis is the
with disabilities. This starts with our customers, employees, the
defining issue of our generation.
increasing access to technology— communities we serve, and the
That is why we have outlined
particularly affordable broadband governments that represent them
ambitious goals and detailed
access—and the digital skills needed through a commitment to privacy,
plans to achieve them, including
to succeed in a changing economy. security, responsible AI, digital
to be carbon negative, zero
safety, and transparency.
waste, and water positive by 2030.
2. Protect fundamental And while our own actions are Now is the time for urgent action.
rights important, our most important Those who can do more, should.
The current global health and contribution will come from And we are. But the challenges
economic crises have laid bare enabling others to use technology facing people and the planet are
long-standing inequities in to create and achieve their own complex, and no single company,
our communities. That is why sustainability goals. sector, or country can solve them
we unequivocally support the alone. That is why we are committed
fundamental rights of people, 4. Earn trust to working across sectors to foster
from defending democracy, to We are optimistic about the partnerships and solutions that will
addressing systemic racial injustice benefits of technology, but also have a lasting impact, including our
and inequity, to protecting human clear-eyed about the challenges. work on the SDGs.
rights—both in our own ecosystem You cannot drive positive impact
and for people across the globe.

Our reflections
Our reflections on technology

and innovation as a means of
implementation
According to the report of the UN Secretary-General’s High-level Panel on Digital Cooperation, “Of the SDG’s
17 goals and 169 targets, not a single one is detached from the implications and potential of digital technology.
From ending extreme poverty to promoting inclusive economic growth and decent work, to reducing maternal
mortality, to achieving universal literacy and numeracy and doubling the productivity of small farmers—
progress is intertwined with the use of digital technology and new forms of digital cooperation.”1
For the next nine years, the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) represent a shared and
universal commitment to deliver on ambitious Global Goals for people and the planet. In 2015, when the United
Nations General Assembly adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, along with a set of 17 SDGs
and 169 associated targets, the UN recognized technology, innovation and capacity building, and data as some
of the essential “means of implementation” for delivering the 2030 Agenda.
The Microsoft mission—to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more—
aligns strongly with the UN global agenda for sustainable development from 2015 through 2030. We believe the
digital transformation of the global economy can make a difference and help address the challenges underlying
the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Partnerships will play a crucial role as vehicles for mobilizing and
sharing knowledge, expertise, technologies, and financial resources.
We share the position expressed in the High-level Panel’s report. Digital technology can play an instrumental
role in achieving many Global Goals, including ending poverty; combating inequalities; building peaceful, just,
and inclusive societies; protecting human rights and promoting gender equality; and ensuring the protection of
the planet and its natural resources in all countries—when it is used in trusted, responsible, and inclusive ways.
Accordingly, our commitment to the Global Goals is reflected in how we apply our technology, partnerships,
and resources to create empowerment opportunities and to serve the needs of communities around the globe.
Each of the Global Goals presents challenges bigger than any one organization—or even one sector of
society—can accomplish alone. With just nine years to go to deliver the SDGs, the UN Decade of Action is
underway—mobilizing more governments, civil society, and businesses and calling on all people to make the
Global Goals their own. Microsoft believes in its shared responsibility as a business and in its role in society
with a mission that focuses on empowering people. At Microsoft, we seek to apply the unique assets that a
technology company of our scope and scale has toward the global effort needed to achieve the SDGs.
In this paper, we focus on what we consider to be our unique contributions:

• Our programs supporting the SDGs, often through the application of Microsoft technologies,
products, and services
• Our partnerships to advance progress on topics in the sustainable development agenda
• Our support for initiatives aiming to empower communities around the world
1
“The Age of Digital Interdependence: Report of the UN Secretary-General’s High-level Panel on Digital Cooperation,” June 2019: page 9.
https://www.un.org/en/pdfs/DigitalCooperation-report-for%20web.pdf

Section One
Section One:
The SDGs we focus on
A number of Microsoft initiatives silver bullet; leaders across the and Economic Growth), SDG
are directly and indirectly public and private sectors must 13 (Climate Action), and SDG
advancing progress on all 17 also pair technology-enabled 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong
SDGs. In this paper, we first discuss initiatives with policies that benefit Institutions).
the four SDGs that we currently and enable all people.
This section offers information
focus on as a company. Then we
At Microsoft, we have also and links to relevant Microsoft
show how we are contributing
reflected on the four guiding programs, partnerships, and
to each of the other SDGs. Some
principles that our focus SDGs support initiatives to indicate
of our initiatives are contributing
center on: support inclusive how we are helping to address
to the sustainment of specific
economic opportunity, protect the four SDGs we are focused
targets; others are part of the
fundamental rights, commit to on as a company. We hope
broader effort required to address
a sustainable future, and earn these examples inform broader,
the societal challenge that the
trust. These pillars correspond additional contributions needed
relevant SDG is seeking to tackle.
most closely to the following four for the important work being
Although our unique strength lies
Global Goals: SDG 4 (Quality done to deliver the promise of the
in digital technologies, we also
Education), SDG 8 (Decent Work SDGs in its last nine-year stretch.
realize that technology is not a

Microsoft CELA Executive Interviews
Microsoft Philanthropies in action
Kate Behncken
Vice President
Microsoft Philanthropies
Microsoft Philanthropies has collectively and in partnership

been investing significant with governments to bring the
resources in Quality Education best practices from the private
(instrumental to SDG4) and sector and combine them with
initiatives that promote Decent the government’s ability to scale
Work and Economic Growth impact. We do this by leveraging
These issues
(instrumental to SDG8). What is public-private partnerships are too large for
the impact of those investments, between nonprofits and
not only in terms of the governments to tackle SDG 8. any one company,
beneficiaries, but also in terms For example, in Latin America, we government, or
of the potential contribution bring our digital skilling curriculum
of the private sector to SDGs, to our nonprofit partner, the industry to solve
which could be deemed the Trust for the Americas. The Trust
alone.
remit of national governments? trains government employees
in Colombia, Ecuador, and Brazil
Our approach, whenever and so that, together, we can reach
wherever possible, is to work millions of learners and scale our

collective impact. The Trust then number of Microsoft’s assets systemic issues to inform policy,
connects those skilled individuals (cash, technology, expertise, drive intervention, and save lives.
with jobs and livelihood employee engagement,
Microsoft also worked with
opportunities in each respective voice) and combine them with
UNICEF to improve the
country. The impact of this public- the experience, resources, and
security and infrastructure of
private partnership is innovation, influence of UN organizations
the technology used to track
connection to industry, and to create impact globally. We
and monitor the distribution
skilling at scale. think it’s critical to continue to
of vaccines from manufacture
evolve and look at new models
through delivery to the COVAX
that build on the strengths of all
The SDGs also call for public- facility, the worldwide COVID-19
stakeholders.
private partnerships to address vaccine access initiative. We
disaster recovery (SDG13.1), the joined other leading companies
needs of children (SDG16.2), In the context of the coronavirus on the Global Task Force on
and the protection of refugees pandemic, what can the private Pandemic Response, a public-
and displaced people (SDG10.7). sector do to contribute to early private partnership developed
What role can the private sector warning, risk reduction, or risk by the U.S. Chamber Foundation
play as a partner on these management of national and to provide a unified platform for
fronts? global health risks (SDG3.d)? businesses to mobilize and deliver
resources to assist pandemic
These issues are too large for One of the biggest challenges
response efforts in areas of the
any one company, government, we have in solving humanitarian
highest need around the world.
or industry to solve alone. It will issues, including global health,
This included a collaboration with
require that all of us work together is data fragmentation. Many
the U.S.-India Business Council
at new levels of scale. Microsoft organizations have a sliver of
to launch the COVID-19 Business
is working with the private sector, information, but we don’t have a
Response Portal, an information-
the United Nations, governments, way to develop a broad view that
sharing platform for US businesses
and other stakeholders to will help us design more effective
to offer essential in-kind products
help build the capacity of policy and response. Microsoft
and services needed by the
organizations across sectors to and Avanade are collaborating
Government of India. The portal
respond to humanitarian crises. with the World Health
monitored developments in India,
We help organizations leverage Organization to create the world’s
compiled a list of the most critical
technology to scale the work first comprehensive, end-to-end
supplies needed on the ground,
they do and reach more of the data solution for global health. As
and recommended nonprofits to
beneficiaries they serve. We also the “new home of health data,” the
direct cash donations, and is a
work alongside other private- Hub will transform data ingestion
model that can be reused in the
sector companies to share from multiple sources, providing a
future.
information on areas at risk and secure environment for countries
identify existing programs that to upload and validate their These are just a few examples
others may be able to leverage to data while leveraging the latest of how partnerships across the
mobilize more quickly when needs technology in predictive analytics public and private sectors can
arise. Our UNICEF partnership is and data visualization. This will foster solutions that can help
a good example of how we allow us not only to respond to solve some of the world’s biggest
can come together to bring a current crises, but also to identify challenges.

SDG 4: Quality Education
SDG 4:
Quality Education
Microsoft empowers education Our programs

institutions, educators, and
• Through Microsoft Philanthropies,
students to enable inclusive,
we are investing our resources
engaging, and immersive
and our voice to equip people,
learning. The world of education
schools, teachers, and students
is changing faster than ever—as
with digital skills and computer
are the skills that students will
science education. To achieve our
need to be life-ready by the
goal, we focus our investments
time they graduate. Target 4.4
in three core areas: bringing
aims to substantially increase
industry volunteers to schools
the number of youth and adults
in the United States, Canada,
who have relevant skills for
and Mexico to teach computer
decent employment, calling
science at the compulsory We are
special attention to technical
level; building the capacity of
skills and information and helping schools
nonprofit organizations and
communications technology
(ICT) employment training.
education providers to scale their transform
impact; supporting advocacy
Microsoft is working at all levels
and collective action to promote
learning ….
of education to transform for the
inclusion of computer science in
future and support this goal.
HIGHLIGHT
• The Learning Passport, a partnership between Microsoft and the United Nations Children’s Fund
(UNICEF), is a digital platform that facilitates learning opportunities for children and young people
affected by conflict and natural disasters, and which helps ensure continuity of education during
the coronavirus pandemic. As of September 2021, the Learning Passport is currently available in 11
countries: Bangladesh, Egypt, Honduras, Jordan, Kosovo, Laos, Lebanon, Puntland-Somalia, Timor-
Leste, Ukraine, and Zimbabwe.
• Microsoft is a founding member of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural
Organization (UNESCO) Global Education Coalition for the pandemic response. The coalition seeks
to facilitate inclusive learning opportunities for children and youths during this period of sudden and
unprecedented educational disruption.
formal education. From July 1, high schools primarily serving of students at middle and high
2020, through June 30, 2021, Black and African American schools around the world. In
we reached millions of students students. 2020, Microsoft expanded
and young people with quality our commitment to Code.org
• Microsoft Learn for Educators
digital skills experiences and by partnering to bring artificial
curates online learning paths
computer science education, intelligence and machine
and supporting instructor-
helping to ensure we prepare learning content to Code.org
led training materials into the
them to pursue today’s jobs curriculum and content.
classroom. Eligible educators
and tomorrow’s opportunities. • In partnership with CS4All and
and faculty members
Annually, in partnership with the Junior Reserve Officers’
at colleges, universities,
our grantees, we train more Training Corps (JROTC), we
community colleges,
than 150,000 teachers to teach help bring computer science
polytechnics, and secondary
computer science, equipping education to US Department of
schools can access Microsoft’s
them with the skills and resources Defense compulsory schools.
ready-to-teach curriculum
to reach millions of students with
and teaching materials aligned • We are helping schools
high-quality, inclusive computer
to industry-recognized transform learning, develop
science education.
Microsoft Certifications. These students’ skills for the future,
• Microsoft Philanthropies certifications augment a and create inclusive
manages the Technology student’s existing degree path environments that support
Education and Literacy in and validate the skills needed social and emotional learning.
Schools (TEALS) program that to be successful across various For example, Colégio Casa Mãe
connects classroom teachers technical careers. in Portugal brings together
with tech-industry volunteers the whole suite of Microsoft
• In response to the coronavirus
to create sustainable computer education solutions to develop
pandemic, Microsoft
science programs. Our free digital literacy, drive continuous
rapidly created an extensive
programs and support help learning, and build student
toolkit of materials and training
students develop science, knowledge and life skills.
opportunities for educators,
technology, engineering,
parents, and students to adopt • As part of the Microsoft Airband
and math (STEM) skills. In 2020,
remote and hybrid learning. Initiative, BLUETOWN, a Danish
as part of our commitment
to addressing racial inequity, internet service provider (ISP)
TEALS began an expansion Our partnerships operating in Ghana, is looking
into 13 states and the District to deliver accessible, locally
• Microsoft partners with relevant educational content,
of Columbia, with the goal, by
Code.org to bring computer digitized by eKitabu and hosted
2025, to bring computer science
science education to millions on the BLUETOWN local cloud.
education to an additional 620

• We are building on our work • The Dutch municipality of and outfits volunteers with
with Teach Access, an industry Hoorn, Microsoft, and ITPH the necessary tools to guide
collaboration to address Academy, working with Horizon students through coding
the critical need to enhance College, have partnered to projects.
students’ understanding of create a 16-week program
• Microsoft tools are enabling
digital accessibility, to support to retrain people currently
universities across the globe to
a cultural shift across the tech out of work. Microsoft is also
continue operating and offering
sector that will help create new partnering with Horizon
quality education—despite
technologies with the needs of College to expand the Microsoft
the coronavirus pandemic
people with disabilities in mind. Datacenter Academy.
shutdowns. For example,
• Microsoft has donated to world-leading Imperial College
Our support Kodcentrum, a nonprofit London quickly scaled up usage
that introduces Swedish of Microsoft Teams to deliver
• Microsoft is supporting
youths to computer science, lectures and to offer virtual
ministries of education in
programming, and digital common rooms for students
Bahrain, Azerbaijan, and across
skills free of charge. The funds and faculty.
the world to rapidly create
support middle-school teachers
remote and hybrid learning • The Science Center of Iowa
and educators in Staffanstorp
strategies utilizing Microsoft is creating an Innovation Lab
(10 schools), Gävle (25 schools),
Teams as a learning platform, for children, parents, and
and Sandviken (14 schools) with
and we are also deploying educators to use technology to
online training and webinars to
teacher training webinars foster creativity and problem
assist and inspire digital lessons
through Microsoft Global solving, thanks to a grant from
that align with the national
Training Partners to help ensure the Microsoft Community
curriculum. The donation also
that teachers are able to use Empowerment Fund.
supports online hackathons
technology tools effectively.
For more initiatives related to SDG 4, see our efforts to empower young women and girls and to
prepare them for careers in STEM fields (SDG 5), bring digital training to 25 million people worldwide
and provide professional skills to refugees and those new to the technology industry (SDG 8), extend
internet connectivity to underserved parts of the world (SDG 9), teach coding and technology skills to
underrepresented groups (SDG 10), use AI to preserve cultural heritage (SDG 11), and promote media
literacy to reduce the impact of misinformation (SDG 16).

Partner Interviews
Partnerships and scalable solutions
Charlotte Petri Gornitzka

Deputy Executive Director, Partnerships
United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF)
What has been the biggest crisis. And with partners like
surprise in your partnership Microsoft, we were able to directly
with Microsoft? benefit over 500,000 teachers
and facilitators in 11 countries,
As school closures from
and in turn millions more. When Partnerships …
coronavirus pandemic lockdowns
we combined UNICEF’s global
forced over a billion students from can leapfrog to
reach, scale, and unstoppable
their classrooms, UNICEF and
commitment to children and provide scalable
Microsoft expanded the existing
Microsoft’s technical expertise
Learning Passport, an online,
and cutting-edge resources, we
solutions when
mobile, and offline tech platform,
originally designed for displaced
realized that partnerships like they are needed
this, built on shared value, can
children and youth, in enabling
leapfrog to provide scalable the most.
children to learn remotely. Let us
solutions when they are needed
not forget that the coronavirus
the most.
pandemic is also a child rights

Partner Interviews
In the Sustainable Development Leveraging a company’s financial are impacted; identification of

Goals, Goal 17 calls for resources, technical expertise, bottlenecks; and the opportunity
revitalized partnerships to products, and services, like we to take proactive steps to address
achieve the SDGs. Is the private did with Microsoft, for example, these challenges.
sector fulfilling its potential as a helped us to also enhance existing
While children’s rights are part
contributor to SDGs? solutions. These include Primero,
of, and often key to, addressing
an open-source software platform
In UNICEF’s partnership with other sustainability issues
for humanitarian protection and
Microsoft, for example, we are such as human rights, decent
social-welfare workers, with the
focused on SDGs 4, 5, 8, 16, and work, gender, and diversity, the
goal of driving results for children.
17. We have been able to drive children’s rights dimensions are
But we also need a partner ’s
progress toward all of these goals, often missed without taking
influence, reach, and networks to
but there is still work to be done. a specific child rights lens to
advocate to other industry peers
UNICEF cannot do this work sustainability.
to invest substantial resources in
alone. Pioneering partnerships UNICEF’s work and partner with us
with the private sector can be that to tackle the most pressing needs
crucial difference. of the next decade.
In the 2030 Agenda for Leveraging

How should companies think
Sustainable Development,
about what truly counts as
a company’s
“financial resources, technology
development, and transfer, and “sustainable” when they report financial
capacity building” are listed as on the SDGs?
resources,
three means of implementation
There is a strong consensus
for the SDGs. Where is the
emerging that sustainability
technical
private sector falling short?
reporting is having and will expertise,
The private sector is a key player continue to have a significant
material impact on global products, and
to effectively achieve the SDGs
and the 2030 Agenda. In recent sustainable development. services … helped
years, its role has expanded from For UNICEF, however, it is
a traditional financial partner important that companies us to also
integrate children’s rights into
to a transformational partner enhance existing
by engaging with communities, Environmental, Social, and
governments, and other Governance (ESG) analysis— solutions.
stakeholders to foster sustainable allowing for more comprehensive
development. assessment of how children

SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
SDG 8:
Decent Work and Economic Growth
The UN recognizes the right on equitable and inclusive growth

to work as a fundamental human spurred by access to technology.
right. Promoting decent work
and economic opportunity is a Our programs
cornerstone for success to the
SDGs, and it is critical to achieving • The newly launched Microsoft
progress in alleviating poverty Career Connector service links
and in promoting health and job seekers, trained through
well-being. Target 8.2 recognizes our nonprofit skilling partners,
the importance of technological in tech and tech-enabled jobs
upgrading and innovation in the Microsoft ecosystem—
to achieve higher levels our partners, customers, and
of economic productivity. Microsoft itself. Annually, we
Microsoft employs more than • Microsoft Mentors trains support more than
150,000 employees worldwide and connects employees at
and is committed to providing
250 nonprofit
Microsoft with nonprofits
skills training and economic that are seeking volunteers, partners around
opportunity in the communities mentors, and connections to the world ….
where we operate—with a focus industry practitioners.

HIGHLIGHT
In June 2020, Microsoft launched an initiative to help 25 million people worldwide acquire the digital skills
needed in an economy impacted by the coronavirus pandemic—by the end of the year. Our goal is to
help those who have become unemployed due to the coronavirus pandemic and resulting economic crisis
acquire the skills they need to remain competitive in the job market. The initiative brings together every part
of our company, combining existing and new resources from LinkedIn, GitHub, and Microsoft. As of June
30, 2021, we have helped 45 million people gain these critical digital skills in an economy impacted by the
coronavirus pandemic.
This initiative is grounded in three areas of activity:

• The use of data to identify in-demand jobs and the skills needed to fill them
• Free access to learning paths and content to help people develop the skills that these positions require
• Low-cost certifications and free job-seeking tools to help people who develop these skills pursue new jobs
This digital skilling initiative builds on data and digital technology. It starts with data about jobs and
skills needed in the future from LinkedIn’s Economic Graph. Using LinkedIn’s unique data set, we have
identified 10 job types that are most in demand in today’s economy and are well positioned to grow in
the future. For each of these 10 jobs, the initiative provides free access to content in LinkedIn Learning,
and where applicable, Microsoft Learn and the GitHub Learning Lab, and it couples these with Microsoft
Certifications and LinkedIn job-seeking tools. In addition, Microsoft is backing the effort with $20 million
in cash grants to help nonprofit organizations worldwide assist the people who need it most. One-quarter
of this total—$5 million—will be provided in cash grants to community-based nonprofit organizations
that are led by and serve communities of color in the United States.
• In May 2019, Microsoft launched hyperscale datacenters in South including those with clearance,
the Africa Development Center Africa, promoting business with critical career skills required
(ADC), representing the first- innovation in the cloud.) for today’s growing technology
ever Microsoft engineering industry.
• The Microsoft 4Afrika Initiative
offices in Africa, with two
invests in startups, partners, • The Microsoft Leap
initial sites in Nairobi, Kenya,
small-to-medium enterprises, Apprenticeship Program recruits
and Lagos, Nigeria. The ADC
governments, and youth on and trains nontraditional talent
serves as a premier center
the African continent. Working for careers in the technology
of engineering for Microsoft,
with these groups, the initiative’s industry worldwide.
where world-class African talent
focus has been on delivering
can create innovative solutions • Microsoft required Devices
affordable access to the
fueled by artificial intelligence suppliers to follow Microsoft’s
internet, developing skilled
(AI) and machine learning to Social and Environment
workforces, and investing in
impact their communities in Accountability requirements to
local technology solutions.
areas that include healthcare, protect legally entitled labor
The initiative empowers those
agriculture, finance, and rights for all workers and to
with the right ideas to drive
human-centric automation. provide safe and secure working
economic development,
This builds on our strong environments. We continued
inclusive growth, and digital
partnerships to accelerate monitoring Devices suppliers’
transformation in Africa.
digital transformation in Africa due diligence in respect to labor
and to create sustained societal • Microsoft Software and Systems rights and safe and healthy
impact. (Earlier, in March Academy provides transitioning working environments.
2019, we opened Africa’s first service members and veterans,

Our partnerships delivering foundational, role- business-skills building and

based, and technical skills to job training.
• Microsoft is working with Grab to
seekers around the world.
train 1 million driver-partners and
their families in digital literacy and • We have a new partnership with Our support
technology-related employment the University of Washington
• In 2020, as a part of our
skills. Drivers can take digital on an interdisciplinary center
company-wide commitment
literacy training via the standard working to build research
to addressing racial inequity
Grab driver-partners app they technology and innovation
in the United States, Microsoft
already use and earn certificates models that will ultimately drive
is investing in and partnering
they can use to demonstrate more accessible technology
with 50 Black or African
their abilities, for example, and inclusive communities. In
American–led nonprofits who
during job applications. We also the United Kingdom, we are
offer skills development and
partnered with Generation to partnering with the nonprofit
economic opportunities to the
create a seven-month program in SeeAbility to research the
Black and African American
software development for Grab’s importance of accessible
community. This community-
driver-partners who want to pivot technologies needed for assisted
led program is designed
in their career. To date, more living environments and provide
by a steering committee
than 250,000 driver-partners first-line care workers with the
that includes external
have earned more than 550,000 digital skills to use them.
partners from the workforce,
certificates on the platform. • Working with Unilever and education, foundation, and
• The Global Skills Academy, a local internet service provider nonprofit sectors, as well as
partnership between UNESCO Mawingu in Kenya, Microsoft representation from many
and major corporations, Airband is supporting Microsoft stakeholders and
including Microsoft, aims connectivity for female internal teams.
to create opportunities for shopkeepers. Mawingu is
• Annually, we support more
digital upskilling and to enable providing Wi-Fi service that will
than 250 nonprofit partners in
free access to employability- help the shopkeepers increase
42 countries to provide more
oriented training materials for access to financial services,
than 2.5 million learners with in-
young people in the Middle East including affordable credit and
demand digital skills for jobs in the
and Africa. integration into value chains
21st-century economy. Nonprofit
and markets. In addition, the
• A partnership between organization partners include
project provides shopkeepers
Microsoft and the global Goodwill, NPower, Trust for the
with a digital platform for
nonprofit Generation is Americas, Simplon, and CARE.
For more initiatives related to SDG 8, see our efforts to promote quality education and digital skills
programs for young people worldwide with a focus on underserved populations (SDG 4), empower
young women and girls and prepare them for careers in STEM fields (SDG 5), invest in clean energy
and innovative sustainable technologies (SDGs 7 and 13), extend internet connectivity to underserved
parts of the world (SDG 9), teach coding and technology skills to underrepresented groups (SDG 10),
improve urban infrastructure through technology (SDG 11), use technology tools to support ocean
and land biodiversity and related economic activities (SDGs 14 and 15), and safeguard and strengthen
governments and public institutions (SDG 16).

Environmental stewardship
Lucas Joppa
Chief Environmental Officer
In January 2020, Microsoft expanded ambitions, Microsoft

announced a bold commitment believes we can play a significant
to be carbon negative by 2030 role in driving broader societal
and to remove the company’s transformation. But we can’t
historic emissions by 2050. solve the world’s environmental An
How do these goals highlight problems alone—the world environmentally
the potential impact of the depends on every organization
private sector in addressing driving change by setting and sustainable future
climate change? What are the meeting goals to achieve carbon
requires the
challenges and opportunities neutrality. By doing our part of
presented on the journey so far? that work now, Microsoft not only private sector to
can show what’s possible, but we
Global climate change is can also help make it easier for
take an integrated
accelerating, and the window others to follow in our footsteps. approach ….
to forestall the worst impacts And if we do that well, we can also
is closing. As evidenced by a show that sustainability is good
decade of action and our recently for business—that it’s

profitable and builds more to take an integrated approach the world. But it’s going to take
resilient businesses. that recognizes these challenges gigaton-scale carbon removal
are interrelated. At Microsoft, and a lot more buyers than just
our approach has been to make Microsoft to keep warming within
In 2020, amid the coronavirus
meaningful commitments across 1.5 degrees Celsius. The reality is
pandemic, Microsoft
these pillars and pursue advances that markets today are nascent
heightened its sustainability
in the key areas identified by and largely voluntary, and there
ambitions, culminating with
the SDGs. Along the way, we are isn’t nearly enough supply to meet
a set of commitments beyond
harnessing the passion of our growing demand. At Microsoft,
the carbon-negative-by-2030
employees and coming together we’re using our influence to push
goal. Microsoft also committed
with like-minded organizations the market to scale up, with the
to being water positive
to share best practices, co- goals of stimulating more fluidity
(supporting SDG6.4), zero
innovate, and help each other and bringing more high-quality
waste (supporting SDG12.5),
figure out how to achieve shared removal projects online while
and protecting more land than
commitments. Implementing making them affordable and
it uses by 2030 (supporting
a broad sustainability strategy cost-effective. At the same time,
SDG15.3). Do you think those
is ambitious, no doubt, but it’s we’re helping accelerate the
pillars of environmental
exactly what needs to be done if development of carbon reduction,
sustainability receive sufficient
we are going to achieve a climate- capture, and removal solutions
attention from the private
stable planet. through our Carbon Innovation
sector?
Fund. As the market grows, there’s
The answer is an unequivocal no. an obvious (and urgent) role for
How can Microsoft’s carbon
Each gets some attention on its the public sector to establish a
removal efforts contribute to
own depending on local priorities, credible, coordinated, international
the emissions removal market
but the natural resources that carbon accounting system with
and inform the global call
our society depends upon clear definitions and standards.
to integrate climate change
can’t be reduced to just a By sharing what we’ve learned
measures into national policies,
single dimension that needs about carbon removal, we can
strategies, and planning
attending, whether it’s carbon, help the private and public sectors
(SDG13.2)?
water, ecosystems, or climate. understand what’s needed to make
An environmentally sustainable Microsoft is currently the largest that market work.
future requires the private sector carbon removal customer in
Source: 2020 Environmental Sustainability Report: A Year of Action, Microsoft Corporation, 2021.

SDG 13: Climate Action
SDG 13:
Climate Action
The effects of global climate in target 13.3, which calls

change threaten every country for improved education and
and population on Earth. awareness on climate change
Microsoft sees mitigating the mitigation, adaptation, impact
harmful effects of climate change reduction, and early warning.
as one of the defining challenges
of our time. We are committed Our programs
to leveraging our resources • Over the past year, we invested
and expertise to reduce carbon $129 million across funds
output and promote clean and organizations innovating
energy innovation. We will use in carbon reduction, water
our voice and position as a management, and circular We believe
global technology company to economy through our $1 billion
advocate for target 13.2, which Climate Innovation Fund. that technology
calls for integrating climate
• Although deep carbon reduction has a major role
change measures into national
is our top priority, physically
policies, strategies, and planning. to play ….
removing carbon from the
We believe that technology
atmosphere will also be essential
has a major role to play

HIGHLIGHT
In January 2020, we announced an ambitious 10-year plan to reduce and ultimately remove the Microsoft
carbon footprint and extend our internal carbon tax to cover every part of our operations, including
Scope 3. This means that all Microsoft business divisions will be financially responsible for the carbon
emissions they create, including through value and supply chain activities—the largest source of
emissions and the most difficult to quantify. Distinctively, our internal carbon tax is not a “shadow fee”
that is calculated—but not charged. Our fee is paid by each division in our business based on its carbon
emissions, and the funds are used to pay for sustainability improvements.
We forecast that in our first year we reduced Microsoft’s carbon emissions by 6 percent, or roughly
730,000 metric tons, and we have purchased the removal of 1.3 million metric tons of carbon from 26
projects around the world. We are committed to transparency by subjecting the data in our annual
sustainability report to third-party review and to accountability by including progress on sustainability
goals as a factor in determining executive pay, starting with our next fiscal year.
to our ability to meet our net- Engie, WSP, and CDP, to help transition to a net zero global
negative target scale and time companies, and particularly economy. We recognize that
frame. In July 2020, we issued our suppliers, report their one company alone cannot
a Request for Proposals (RFP) greenhouse gas (GHG) solve the global carbon
to source our first carbon emissions, develop clean energy emissions challenge. To create
removals and purchased from strategies, and reduce their a multiplier effect on corporate
15 organizations from projects energy-related emissions. ambitions for climate change,
representing more than 1.3 the Transform to Net Zero
• We created a white paper on
million metric tons of carbon initiative intends to develop
how to reduce embodied
removal. We released a new and deliver research, guidance,
carbon through the selection
white paper to share our and implementable roadmaps
and procurement of low-carbon
learnings about what worked to enable all businesses to
products and the tracking and
and what did not, so that others achieve net zero emissions. The
reduction of carbon emissions
can accelerate their own carbon initiative will be led by founding
during construction.
removal. members, including A.P. Moller-
Maersk, Danone, Mercedes-
• Through new digital tools, we Our partnerships Benz AG, Microsoft, Natura
are assisting our customers
• We are partnering with &Co, Nike, Inc., Starbucks,
in decarbonizing their own
the International Finance Unilever, and Wipro, in addition
operations and infrastructure.
Corporation, a sister to Environmental Defense Fund
This was the motivation
organization to the World Bank, (EDF).
behind our announcement
of a new Microsoft solution— which will work with designated • Microsoft and NatWest Group
the Microsoft Cloud for Microsoft suppliers in emerging have joined forces to help UK
Sustainability—that will enable markets, starting in Asia, to businesses better understand
our customers around the world identify technical solutions their carbon footprint and
to record, report, and reduce reducing GHG emissions, create tailored action plans for
their emissions on their paths to provide implementation business to reduce their carbon
net zero. assistance, and offer financing emissions leveraging digital
solutions to help them make technologies.
• To help aid reporting
investments in more efficient
requirements in our Supplier • We are collaborating and
and low-carbon operations.
Code of Conduct, we released investing alongside multiple
a set of in-depth capacity- • We joined forces with eight energy operators and service
building tools and resources, companies to establish a new providers across geographies
developed in partnership with initiative for accelerating the as carbon capture and storage

continues to gain momentum, Fund to help them accelerate and • Southeast Asia Clean
thanks to strengthened climate scale their solutions, including: Energy Facility (SEACEF), to
commitments, increased accelerate deployment of
• NCX, formerly SilviaTerra,
government support, and large-scale and scalable
to help fund the creation
technology advancements. For clean energy projects and
of the largest forest carbon
example, Northern Lights is an businesses in emerging
project by acreage in the
industry-leading partnership markets. SEACEF aims to drive
continental United States and
with Equinor, Total, Shell, market adoption of existing
help make carbon market
Microsoft, and the Norwegian technologies in underfunded
participation more accessible
Government that has already markets, which also helps
to landowners of all sizes.
served as a best practice enable low-carbon economic
• Twelve, formerly Opus12, to
template for government and development in communities
help scale the reduction of
private industry collaboration hit hard by the effects of
emissions from supply chains
in other carbon capture and climate change.
and essential products across
storage hubs around the world.
a range of industries. • In partnership with Microsoft
• Through Microsoft’s purchase • Rheaply, to fund the AI for Earth, CarbonPlan is
of negative emissions development of carbon- developing an open-access
from Climeworks, we will related Rheaply feature data set and interactive, web-
permanently remove 1,400 updates to help companies based tool for analyzing US
metric tons of carbon, and measure carbon emissions forest carbon removal potential
through our Climate Innovation savings from reuse and fuel and permanence risks from fire,
Fund, we will provide funding the circular economy. drought, and insects. Using this
for a Climeworks first-of-a- • Congruent Ventures, an early- tool, we and other corporate
kind commercial-scale, fully stage venture capital firm, to buyers will be able to assess
renewable carbon capture and aid their efforts focused on prospective projects and design
mineralization plant in Iceland. decarbonization and climate more environmentally sound
across the energy, mobility, procurement practices.
• We have made several other
agriculture, and industrial
direct investments in companies
sectors.
through our Climate Innovation
For more initiatives related to SDG 13, see our efforts to employ technology to help farmers
grow more crops sustainably and to use water more efficiently (SDGs 2 and 6), replenish water in
water-stressed areas where we operate (SDG 6), invest in clean energy and innovative sustainable
technologies (SDG 7), reduce waste and perform life cycle assessments of our products’
environmental impacts (SDG 12), use technology tools to support ocean and land biodiversity and
related economic activities (SDGs 14 and 15), and develop partnerships for collective action (SDG 17).

14
ts of the
transition
050.
2030
By 2030, Microsoft will
Our progress to date
prioritize remove more carbon

sectors, than it emits.
r the next
abate
techniques
2012.
ment relied
emit
pacts of
rbon
Net Zero $50 million
carbon Became a founding member Invested $50 million in Energy
of Transform to Net Zero. Impact Partners.
1.3 million
Launched the Microsoft Sustainability
Calculator to provide transparency on
carbon to customers.
Secured 1.3 million metric tons of
carbon removal for FY21 from projects
via RFP. Named to the CDP A List for Climate
Change in 2020.
Scope 3 586,683
Extended internal carbon fee
to include Scope 3 emissions. Reduced emissions across all scopes
by 586,683 metric tons of CO2e in FY20.
Updated our Supplier Code

of Conduct to require a greenhouse
ased Target gas emission disclosure.
2019.

Digital peace and strong institutions
Tom Burt
Corporate Vice President, Customer Security & Trust
The SDGs call for stakeholders of weak cybersecurity. We

to strengthen relevant national need to increase the cost of
institutions, including through criminal and terrorist pursuits by
international cooperation, and building cybersecurity capacity
building capacities at all levels, and fostering international
in particular in developing cooperation. Microsoft is
We need to
countries, for preventing committed to helping to build
violence and combating capacity across countries and enhance our
terrorism and crime (SDG16.a). communities. We’re a founding
How does this challenge apply supporter of and active
public-private
to cyberspace? contributor to the Global Forum partnerships in
on Cyber Expertise (GFCE),
Criminals and terrorists leverage composed of more than 115 key areas ….
cyberspace along with purely multistakeholder partners, as well
physical domains. While some as the CyberPeace Institute, an
actors apply sophisticated independent non-governmental
techniques, others take advantage organization (NGO) that seeks to

reduce harms from cyberattacks cybersecurity is growing; over services, and we recognize the
on people’s lives worldwide. 1,200 organizations have now opportunity and responsibility
In parallel, we also work with signed the Paris Call for Trust we have to support victims
international institutions, such and Security in Cyberspace. This of cyberattacks and help
as the Organization of American past spring, states in the United strengthen the security of global
States (OAS) and the International Nations Open-Ended Working infrastructure. In the wake of
Telecommunication Union (ITU), Group (OEWG) on cybersecurity attacks that compromised the
to develop cybersecurity best- reaffirmed that international law supply chain of SolarWinds,
practice guidance. We’ve been and norms for state behavior apply we established a public
a partner and contributor to to cyberspace and recognized resource center to share threat
the ITU’s Guide to Developing a that critical infrastructure like intelligence, Indicators of
National Cybersecurity Strategy, healthcare facilities should be off- Compromise, and guidance to
and we encourage policymakers limits to cyberattacks. Around the help the international community
to reference a forthcoming world, governments are seeking conduct investigations, harden
updated version, to be released input as they define practices to infrastructure, and recover.
in 2021. improve security. Investments in Along with our partners, we
capacity building and ongoing invested in the founding of the
cooperation will be key to ensuring CyberPeace Institute, which
From attacks on the global
that international commitments aims to assist victims
healthcare sector during the
and national efforts are effective of cyberattacks and foster societal
coronavirus pandemic to the
and long-lasting. We urge states resiliency through its CyberPeace
SolarWinds cyberattack, nation-
to build on the outcomes of the Builders program. The program,
state cyberattacks are causing
OEWG by continuing to hold launched in July, is envisioned
significant damage, and
inclusive dialogue, and we support to be the first global network of
ransomware attacks continue
proposals at the UN to facilitate cybersecurity volunteers from the
to proliferate. What steps must
multistakeholder cooperation private sector working to protect
be taken to accelerate the work
on cybersecurity in upcoming civilian-critical NGO services
underway by the private sector
deliberations. in sectors like healthcare, food
and government to address our
supply, and energy. Microsoft also
collective cybersecurity?
actively seeks to help strengthen
What steps is Microsoft taking
We need to enhance our public- the security of individuals,
to better defend people and
private partnerships in key areas, institutions, and infrastructure
institutions who are victims of
defining and holding actors that are particularly vulnerable
cyberattacks? How is Microsoft
accountable for inappropriate to sophisticated cyberattacks,
contributing to the deterrence
behavior, implementing best including electoral systems,
of cyberattacks that threaten
practices for technology security political parties and campaigns,
the critical infrastructure within
and operational risk management, healthcare workers, journalists,
the SDGs?
and improving collaboration and human rights defenders,
on incident response. Global Microsoft is deeply invested in through our ElectionGuard and
multistakeholder support the security of our products and AccountGuard programs.
for public-private action on

SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
SDG 16:
Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
Peace, justice, and strong responsible use and regulation

institutions are the cornerstones of technology. When used
of prosperous societies. responsibly and inclusively, we
Technology provides new tools believe that technology can
for strengthening and protecting play a special role in increasing
these institutions. But it also the accountability and
brings new risks—online safety, transparency of institutions
data security, privacy, and the (target 16.6), ensuring inclusive
spread of misinformation, for and responsive decision-
example, have emerged as critical making (target 16.7), and
threats to peace and prosperity ensuring public access to
across the world. Microsoft is information (target 16.10). In
taking on its responsibility as a addition, new tools built with New tools
global technology provider— technology may provide novel
from building innovative solutions for providing legal
built with
tools to secure institutions, to identity (target 16.9), ending technology may
working in partnership with exploitation and trafficking
provide novel
companies, governments, and of children (target 16.2), and
international organizations to reducing illicit financial and solutions ….
develop frameworks for the arms flows (target 16.4).

HIGHLIGHT
To increase trust in democratic processes and enhance election integrity, Microsoft has developed an
open-source software toolkit, ElectionGuard, that will be incorporated in Hart InterCivic’s voting systems.
ElectionGuard provides election officials and individual voters the ability to confirm votes have not been
altered, suppressed, or tampered with. It also allows external monitors the opportunity to check that all
votes have been correctly tallied to produce an accurate count and confirm that the election outcome has
not been altered.
Our programs • Microsoft’s Journalism Initiative PhotoDNA to assist in the

works to combat disinformation, detection, disruption, and
• The Microsoft Defending reporting of millions of child
expand news distribution,
Democracy Program focuses exploitation images.
and pilot a community-based
on addressing cybersecurity
program to provide journalists • Microsoft continues to provide
and disinformation threats
and newsrooms with new tools, support for the Vera Institute of
to democracies everywhere.
technology, and capacity in Justice Arrest Trends dashboard,
The program includes efforts
order to expand reach and which brings together
to improve campaign and
efficiency for local news outlets. disparately located and difficult-
election security, in addition to
the security of organizations • We continued the supplier to-analyze data on various law-
and institutions that underpin antitrafficking measures found enforcement-related indicators
democracy. in the Microsoft Supplier to help generate dialogue
Code of Conduct, continued about the role of policing,
• Microsoft has undertaken a and promote opportunities
auditing supplier programs
range of initiatives aimed at for alternative responses that
and management systems,
countering disinformation address the root causes of
while also increasing supplier
online. We developed the crime and strengthen police/
reporting transparency.
Microsoft Video Authenticator, community relations.
which uses AI to identify
synthetic media (deepfakes). Our partnerships • The USC Sol Price Center
Another tool allows producers for Social Innovation, with
• For the US 2020 presidential
to tag content with a hash support from Microsoft,
elections, Microsoft’s Defending
certificate that verifies its completed improvements to
Democracy Program worked
authenticity, and this certificate the Neighborhood Data for
in partnership across Microsoft
could be accessible to an end- Social Change (NDSC) platform,
to coordinate and improve
user via a browser extension. including a migration to the
the cyber-resilience of our
Microsoft cloud. The NDSC
election-related customers and
platform is a free, publicly
partners. This work included
available resource for civic
the development of an Election
actors to learn about their
Situation Room, cybersecurity
Microsoft is incident response, and training
communities.
taking on its of campaign and election • In 2019, Microsoft began

officials. working with the Public
responsibility as a Defender Association to
• PhotoDNA, a technology
improve efficiencies and
global technology developed in partnership with
capacities for the Law
Microsoft and Dartmouth
provider …. College, aids in finding and
Enforcement Assisted Diversion
(LEAD) program in Seattle-
removing known images of
King County by creating an
child exploitation. Organizations
interagency data system to
around the world use

improve both operational • In order to increase media United Kingdom, and the
efficiencies and evaluation literacy among US voters ahead United States to have access to
capacities. Today, we support of the 2020 election, Microsoft NewsGuard’s ratings.
the LEAD Proof of Concept partnered with the University
• Microsoft AccountGuard
Project, a three-year initiative of Washington, Sensity, and
is a service available at no
to advance system reforms and USA Today to develop two
charge to existing customers
reduce racial disparities across online interactive quizzes to
that provides unified threat
the United States by increasing help people sort disinformation
detection and notification. The
program visibility, sustainability, from genuine facts and gain
service, which was originally
and impact in a diverse set awareness of the impact of
created for political campaigns,
of jurisdictions implementing fabricated or untrue media
has been expanded to election
the LEAD model around the content on democracy.
officials, political parties,
country.
• Through a partnership with the political consultants, think
• The Center for Court Innovation BBC, the Canadian Broadcasting tanks, democracy advocacy
works to create a fair, effective, Corporation and Radio-Canada, organizations, human rights
and humane justice system by and the New York Times, organizations, and the
performing original research Microsoft launched Project healthcare industry, and is
and helping to launch reforms Origin, a media authentication currently active in 32 countries,
around the world. Microsoft and provenance technology. protecting more than 2.4 million
provides diversion-focused This project aims to develop accounts around the world.
technical assistance to the technology that can help assure
• Microsoft played a leading role
Center for Court Innovation and readers that media has come
in the launch of the Coalition
the Alternatives to Incarceration from a trusted source, proves its
for Content Provenance and
Initiative in Los Angeles to help authenticity, and confirms that it
Authenticity (C2PA), a technical-
generate learnings for creating was not altered.
standards body, to guide the
equitable diversion programs
• We have partnered with the AI development of tools that verify
across the United States.
Foundation, a dual commercial the source and authenticity of
• Microsoft supports the and nonprofit enterprise based media.
National Institute for Criminal in San Francisco, on their Reality
• Microsoft is working with Report
Justice Reform, Advance Defender 2020 (RD 2020)
for America to place emerging
Peace, and the Center for initiative, to operationalize
journalists into local newsrooms
American Progress in their Microsoft Video Authenticator,
across the country to report
work developing the National a tool for synthetic media
on under-covered issues,
Offices of Violence Prevention detection. This tool is available
build capacity, and provide
Network with a group of to organizations involved in the
technology and training in five
national experts, advocates, democratic process, including
local newsrooms.
and practitioners. This work news outlets and political
is designed to redefine and campaigns.
expand the definition of public
safety beyond policing, to help
• Microsoft has expanded its We are
partnership with NewsGuard, a
reduce the emphasis on law
company that evaluates online working to create
enforcement, and to maintain
credibility with those at the
news sources based on nine safe, secure, and
principles of journalistic integrity
highest risk of violence.
and that provides information ethical digital
• We are working to create safe, to enable people to learn more
identification
secure, and ethical digital about the source of their online
identification systems for the content. Microsoft is supporting systems for the
future, as a member of the users of Microsoft Edge and
Technical Advisory Council for over 800 million library patrons
future ….
the ID2020 Alliance. in France, Germany, Italy, the

• Through a partnership with behavior in cyberspace. Amid for governments to create a

Davis Wright Tremaine, the the pandemic, the CPI launched comprehensive national plan
Reporters Committee for its operational capacities, for cybersecurity, and we
Freedom of the Press, and the focusing on the unique have been a key partner in
John S. and James L. Knight vulnerabilities of hospitals developing an updated version
Foundation, Microsoft piloted and healthcare groups and of the guide.
the Protecting Journalists Pro highlighting the impact of
• Microsoft provided support
Bono Program to work with increasing attacks against them.
to the Internet Governance
reporters and small news
• In August 2021, following the Forum Dynamic Coalition on
organizations to help them
White House cybersecurity Standards, Security and Safety
defend their legal rights and
summit, Microsoft CEO to help global implementation
deliver quality journalism.
Satya Nadella confirmed of cybersecurity standards to
• Microsoft partnered with that Microsoft will invest $20 advance the resiliency of the
Business for Social Responsibility billion to advance our security online environment and IoT
(BSR) to publish the white paper solutions over the next five devices.
Responsible Business Decision- years and $150 million to help
• Microsoft has provided support
Making Before, During, and US Government agencies
to the Alliance of Democracies
After Public Health Emergencies: upgrade protections, as well
Foundation to develop the
A Rights-Based Approach to as expand our cybersecurity
Global Alliance of Democracy
Technology and Data Use. The training partnerships.
Resilience to strengthen
paper sets out the key elements
• Microsoft is one of the founding democratic processes and
of a human rights-based
signatories and a lead supporter institutions around the world.
approach to the use of data and
of the Cybersecurity Tech
technology solutions during • Microsoft joined a White
Accord, the largest industry
public health emergencies in House-facilitated funder
commitment to cybersecurity
today’s and tomorrow’s digital collaborative to strengthen
principles, which includes more
era, with a focus on the role of and scale community-led
than 150 signatory companies
business and impacts on privacy. interventions in 16 jurisdictions.
from across the tech industry
The collaborative focuses
and around the world. The
on community violence
Our support coalition works collaboratively
interventions (CVI) in these
to be the industry’s voice on
• Microsoft worked in partnership areas. This effort will support
peace and security online and
with Mastercard and the both proven and new strategies
pursues initiatives that improve
Hewlett Foundation, along with that reduce violence and
the cybersecurity ecosystem.
other key partners, to establish strengthen community-based
This includes advancing security
and support the CyberPeace infrastructure to enhance public
best practices by industry and
Institute (CPI), an independent safety for children, families, and
partnering with governments
NGO based in Geneva and communities.
and civil society groups to
launched in 2019. The CPI has a
promote expectations for
unique mandate to address the
responsible behavior by states For more initiatives
harms caused by the escalating
and other actors. related to SDG 16, see
conflict in cyberspace through
our partnerships created
direct assistance and advocacy • Microsoft is a contributor to and
to empower institutions
work, as well as by promoting supporter of the ITU’s National
across the other SDGs.
accountability for responsible Cybersecurity Strategy Guide

Overview Carbon Water Waste Ecosystems Appendix 11
2020 Progress
In 2020, we announced our four commitments that
$30M
Ecosystems Zero waste Water positive Carbon negative
700+ $10M 500MW

will guide our sustainability work for the next decade.
While we have much to do, we have already begun
to see progress. Grew the AI for Earth Invested $10 million in
PPA with Sol Systems will
advance clean energy and
grantee community the Emerald Technology
environmental justice.
to over 700 grantees in Ventures’ Global Water
over 100 countries. Invested $30 million in Impact Fund to support
Closed Loop Partners’ innovative technologies
Carbon Build the funds to help build a
Water positive Zero waste for water conservation, Zero waste
60K
negative Planetary circular economy.
by 2030 by 2030 access, and quality.
by 2030 Computer
In FY20, diverted over

60 000 metric tons of
$129M 10PB
Carbon negative Zero waste Carbon, water, and waste Ecosystems Zero waste waste from landfills.
1.3M 10,500 90% Water positive
Secured 1.3 million

metric tons of carbon
removal via projects
from RFP process
Over 10,500 employees
engaged in Ecochallenges
to reduce personal
waste footprints. Invested $129 million across funds On-boarded 10 petabytes of
Circular Centers, piloted
this year, can contribute to
increased reuse of servers
by 90 per cent by 2025.
7X
Increased our
for FY21. and organizations innovating in environmental and Earth observation replenishment project
carbon reduction, water management, data to Azure that is now freely available portfolio by nearly 700
and circular economy. for the conservation community. percent from FY19.
Carbon negative Carbon negative Zero waste Carbon negative Water positive Carbon negative Water positive
21M First
Top suppliers reduced Delivered first tool to
Zero 586,683
Achieved Zero Waste Reduced emissions across
1.5M 100% 20
Launched water All suppliers must report To date, funded nearly
their collective footprint provide CO2 transparency Certification of datacenters all scopes by 586,683 accessibility work to their GHG emissions 20 replenishment
by 21 million metric tons for cloud via the Microsoft in Dublin, Ireland and metric tons CO2e in FY20. provide 1.5 million people through updated Supplier projects in six states
CO2e as reported by CDP. Sustainability Calculator. Boydton, Virginia. access to safe drinking Code of Conduct. and two countries.
water and sanitation.

Section Two
Section Two:
The SDGs we contribute toward
In the first section, we covered four initiatives are contributing to the Microsoft, some of our programs,
of the 17 Global Goals that Microsoft attainment of specific targets, while partnerships, and the support
is focused on as a company. This others are part of the broader effort we extend to various initiatives
section of the paper provides required to address the societal supplement the collective efforts
examples of efforts Microsoft is challenges that the relevant SDG is needed to advance progress on
making to contribute toward the seeking to tackle. the SDGs. We hope that other
other 13 SDGs. We are proud of the partners and stakeholders will join
To deliver on the SDGs by
contributions we are making on in helping the world achieve the
2030, governments, business,
these issues, as a member of the SDGs and will provide additional
civil society, and all concerned
global technology community, but approaches, information, and
stakeholders must promote
remain humbled by the scale of resources necessary to advance
and scale collective efforts on
challenges that we all face to meet progress on the SDGs ahead of
sustainable development. At
the Global Goals. A number of our 2030.

Partner Interviews
Artificial intelligence for

humanitarian action
Dr. Anshu Sharma

Cofounder
SEEDS
What has been the biggest will be challenges of acceptance,

surprise in your partnership/ and that we will need to do a lot
collaboration with Microsoft? of explaining for frontline workers
and local decision-makers to
The hunger for efficiency in help them understand what AI
disaster warnings and the ease Sustainability
for Humanitarian Action means
with which communities and local is about the
and how AI can improve disaster
governments have accepted, warnings and thus save lives
and in fact welcomed, a highly and assets. The understanding,
future.
tech-based solution was very however, came instantly, almost as
surprising for us, and pleasantly though the world was desperately
so. We had assumed that there waiting for such a solution!

Partner Interviews
In the Sustainable Development where the private sector will are getting reduced in some
Goals, Goal 17 calls for naturally excel. When it comes to areas, and growth trajectories
revitalized partnerships to technology transfer and capacity are taking unprecedented
achieve the SDGs; is the private building, the landscape is rather courses, thus making load
sector fulfilling its potential as a fuzzy. “Transfer resources and projections extremely
contributor to SDGs? technology to whom?” and “Build challenging. Recent experiences
whose capacity?” are questions of the coronavirus pandemic,
The role of the private sector that still plague the third aspect increased heat waves, more
in sustainable development of this commitment. Traditionally, severe tropical cyclones, freak
has always been recognized, tech-transfer and capacity- urban floods, and civil
though often seen with a limited building efforts have focused strife in vulnerable societies
scope. Social responsibility on governments alone. AI for also make us realize that the
almost grew out of philanthropy, Humanitarian Action has shown world needs to be far better
and has had a tinge of charity that for the SDGs to have impact prepared for shocks and
inherent in its construct. Recent on the last mile, technology and stresses. In order to truly count
developments have, however, capacity building also need to focus as sustainable, our efforts need
raised the bar significantly, and on this territory. Working with local to focus on sharpening our
responsible business is emerging actors, including local governments, anticipation capacities even in
as a thoughtful corporate aid agencies, community-based an unpredictable future, and
strategy. Microsoft’s AI4Good
organizations, and communities the resolve to invest in building
suite is a leading example of
themselves is critical for building resilience at all levels, but at the
responsible business. Microsoft
capacities that will make a level of communities the most.
Power Apps and Azure services difference on the frontlines.
are core technology businesses,
but the AI for Humanitarian
Action initiative is demonstrating How should companies think
how these are going to make the about what truly counts as
“sustainable” when they report
world safer and more sustainable, Recent
like no conventional approach on the SDGs?
can. The users are in the domains developments
Sustainability is about the future. It
of government, civil society, have … raised the
is about anticipating and planning
academia, and even vulnerable
for scenarios in a world that is
communities. bar significantly,
changing like never before. A
world where future projections and responsible
In the 2030 Agenda for can no longer be based on past
Sustainable Development, trends because climate change
business is
“financial resources, technology and economic growth patterns emerging as
development, and transfer, and have altered the planning
capacity building” are listed as paradigms that we are used to a thoughtful
three means of implementation working with. In such a context, corporate
for the SDGs. Where is the companies also need a new lens
private sector falling short? for looking at sustainability, as strategy.
opposed to the carrying-capacity-
Financial resources and technology
based conventional approach.
development are two areas
Carrying capacities themselves

SDG 1: No Poverty
SDG 1:
No Poverty
For a substantial part of related extreme events and

the world, the benefits of the other economic, social, and
Fourth Industrial Revolution’s environmental shocks and
technological advances are disasters. Microsoft is working
elusive and remain out of reach. to provide technologies, skills,
Target 1.4 aims to ensure that all and resources and to promote
men and women, in particular approaches that have lasting
the poor and the vulnerable, impacts and that remove barriers
have equal rights to economic to access, so more people can
resources, in addition to access experience the transformative
to basic services, ownership benefits of the digital economy.
and control over land and other Microsoft is
forms of property, inheritance, Our programs working to provide
natural resources, appropriate
new technology, and financial • In fiscal year 2021, Microsoft technologies,
Philanthropies provided $2.5
services by 2030. Target 1.5 aims skills, and
to build resilience and reduce billion in technology grants
exposure among the poor and discounts to some 400,000 resources ….
and vulnerable to climate- nonprofits—50,000 more than

SDG 1: No Poverty
HIGHLIGHT
TechSpark is a Microsoft initiative to spark new economic opportunities and job creation in rural and
smaller communities through local partnerships. TechSpark focuses on five program areas: digital
transformation, digital skills and computer science education, career pathways, rural broadband, and
support for nonprofits. The initiative focuses our resources and deep partnership on specific communities
in seven US states—Mississippi, North Dakota, Texas, Virginia, Washington, Wyoming, and Wisconsin—
and the city of Juarez, Mexico. Through extensive partnerships with local government, businesses,
education institutions, and nonprofits, TechSpark has launched projects aimed at improving economic
opportunity, job creation, or supporting the local start-up ecosystem, including the Grand Farm (Fargo,
ND), Title Town Tech (Green Bay, WI), Bridge Accelerator (El Paso, TX, and Juarez, Mexico), the SOVA
Innovation Hub (South Boston, VA), and iLumina (Quincy, WA). Annually, our TechSpark program brings
more than $50 million in economic impact and thousands of jobs to the communities that we serve.
last year. Of that total, Microsoft • Microsoft is committed to in Latin America and the
provided $2 billion exclusively paying its employees at least Caribbean.
in cloud grants and discounts to the applicable minimum
• Microsoft and Mastercard
over 225,000 nonprofits. wage, including people with
Center for Inclusive Growth are
disabilities. We have added
• AI for Humanitarian Action is a partnering globally to build
language in our Supplier Code
Microsoft program harnessing in-demand jobs for those most
of Conduct to reconfirm the
the power of AI to focus on in need and provide equitable
obligation to our suppliers to
four priorities—helping the access to capital and inclusive
pay the applicable minimum
world recover from disasters, economic opportunity to help
wage to everyone as well.
addressing the needs of women advance the digital economy.
and children, protecting
• We awarded grants and
refugees and displaced people, Our partnerships
provided data science
and promoting respect for
• The Partnership for Central assistance to our close
human rights. The program
America is a coalition of private- partner SEEDS to support
works with selected NGOs,
sector organizations established its emergency response and
universities, and humanitarian
in response to a call from the preparedness outreach to
organizations through financial
Biden administration for private- communities across India,
grants, technology investments,
sector and social enterprises including their household-risk
and partnerships that combine
to make new commitments identification model that is now
our AI and data science
to support local economic being adapted to also identify
expertise with their domain
opportunity to help address the earthquake and heatwave risks
knowledge. The program
root cause of migration from the for low-resiliency families.
has invested in 57 projects in
Northern Triangle.
more than 19 countries to help • In Guatemala, New Sun Road,
organizations better harness • Partnerships for Economic a Microsoft Airband partner
the power of AI to better enable Opportunities Through based out of California and
humanitarian response. Technology in the Americas focused on access to clean
(POETA) is a nonprofit energy, is deploying internet-
• Microsoft continued ensuring
partnered with Microsoft enabled digital community hubs
Devices suppliers cover workers’
to train underserved to help address and combat
social insurance and contractual
groups in technology, life climate-driven poverty. In
and legal requirements for
skills, employability, and collaboration with the United
payment of compensation via
entrepreneurship in more than States Agency for International
an assurance program.
200 centers across 19 countries Development (USAID), the

SDG 1: No Poverty
hubs will serve as technological our data science team and the better assist their criminal
centers in unelectrified Indian health authorities to investigations.
communities to enable access develop a height estimation
• Microsoft created an AI model
to the internet and digital skills model for children under five, a
able to identify types of
education. critical measure to help assess
weapons from audio in videos
child malnutrition. Microsoft
recorded from the Syrian
Our support is now working with the
conflict, in support of Benetech’s
organization to test the model
engagement with Syrian
• The MySkills4Africa and in Namibia and work toward
community organizations.
MySkills4Asia programs invite generalizing its application.
Microsoft employees from all • Through grants, partner
• A Microsoft data scientist
over the world to contribute support, and data scientist
developed a model with the
their time, talent, and deep engagement, Microsoft
Carter Center on Azure to
expertise to help build a developed a case management
use AI to identify and classify
prosperous, promising future platform to assist the Turkish
armed-conflict incidents from
for Africa and Asia by working Red Crescent in refugee-family
their internal news feed.
with new businesses, students, reunification, which supports
NGOs, and Microsoft partners • Microsoft assisted the case managers through AI facial
across both continents. Investigative Team to Promote recognition on consensually
Accountability for Crimes submitted photographs of
• The German nonprofit
Committed by Da’esh/ISIL family members.
Welthungerhilfe worked with
(UNITAD) in utilizing AI to
For more initiatives related to SDG 1, see our efforts to promote quality education and digital skills
programs for young people worldwide with a focus on underserved populations (SDG 4), empower
young women and girls and prepare them for careers in STEM fields (SDG 5), invest in clean energy
and innovative sustainable technologies (SDGs 7 and 13), promote decent work and economic
growth (SDG 8), extend internet connectivity to underserved parts of the world (SDG 9), teach
coding and technology skills to underrepresented groups (SDG 10), improve urban infrastructure
through technology (SDG 11), use technology tools to support ocean and land biodiversity and
related economic activities (SDGs 14 and 15), and safeguard and strengthen governments and public
institutions (SDG 16).

SDG 2: Zero Hunger
SDG 2:
Zero Hunger
In a world with finite arable by a growing population also

land and a population that is leaves many vulnerable to shocks
expected to grow from 7.7 billion and food insecurity. Target
to nearly 10 billion by 2050,2 2.4 calls for sustainable food
farmers around the world face production systems and resilient
the urgent question of how agricultural practices that increase
to sustainably feed a global productivity and production,
population. As the population and that strengthen capacity for
expands and diets change, adaptation to climate change,
farmers will need to increase food extreme weather, drought,
production by about 70 percent. flooding, and other disasters, and
The question is: How? Finding the that progressively improve land We believe
right answers is one of humanity’s and soil quality. We believe digital
most pressing issues. The growing technologies and AI can be part
digital
strain on food resources caused of the solution. technologies ...
can be part of the
² “Growing at a slower pace, world population is expected to reach 9.7 billion in 2050 and could peak at
solution.
nearly 11 billion around 2100.” UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs, June 17, 2019.
https://www.un.org/development/desa/en/news/population/world-population-prospects-2019.html

SDG 2: Zero Hunger
HIGHLIGHT
Microsoft Azure FarmBeats harnesses data and AI to help farmers cut costs, increase yields, and
sustainably grow crops that are more resilient to climate change. FarmBeats collects data from multiple
sources, such as sensors, drones, satellites, and tractors, and feeds it into cloud-based AI models that
provide a detailed picture of conditions on the farm. This empowers farmers to efficiently use natural
resources—for example, water for precision irrigation that is guided by the generated intelligence. Since
most farms have little or no internet access, FarmBeats transmits data using various forms of fixed wireless
technologies—to an edge device at the farm and onto the cloud with Microsoft Azure.
Our programs machine learning and advanced on more than 30 years of climate
analytics. data, combined with real-time
• Land O’Lakes and Microsoft
weather information, and then
announced a multiyear • Microsoft partnered with
uses sophisticated forecasting
strategic alliance to pioneer Emerging Prairies in Fargo,
models powered by Microsoft
new innovations in agriculture North Dakota, on the Grand
Azure AI to determine the
and to enhance the supply Farm, a world-class ecosystem
optimal time to plant, the ideal
chain, expand sustainability focused on advanced
sowing depth, how much farm
practices for farmers and the technologies in agriculture.
manure to apply, and more. That
food system, and close the rural Working with dozens of
information is then shared with
broadband gap. As one of the regional and national partners,
farmers through text messages
nation’s largest farmer-owned the Grand Farm combines
that they receive on a basic
cooperatives, with 150 million a growing test site for ag-
feature phone.
acres of productive cropland tech experimentation with an
in its network, Land O’Lakes Emerging Digital Academy • SunCulture, a grantee through
is deeply connected to rural focused on robotics and coding the Microsoft Airband Initiative,
America and has a unique to advance ag skills, alongside has developed a solar-powered
understanding of farmers’ an innovation platform that irrigation system that allows
needs and the communities entices venture funding, growers in Kenya to use
where they and their families research, and the acceleration water more efficiently and
live and work. Combined of ag-focused startups. effectively. Farmers are able to
with trusted Microsoft cloud use SunCulture’s technology
• Microsoft is working with the
technologies and AI capabilities, to increase production, grow
nonprofit International Crop
the companies will deliver higher-value crops, and
Research Institute for Semi-
solutions that help farmers’ ultimately reduce labor and
Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) to enable
profit potential and adoption increase economic growth.
farmers to take advantage of
of sustainable agricultural the power of AI to increase According to the UN Food and
practices. yields. Last year, ICRISAT Agriculture Organization (FAO),
received a Microsoft AI for Earth increasing production is only part
Our partnerships grant to support continued of the answer to the problem
development of AI solutions we face in feeding the world’s
• Microsoft is working with the
that focus on sustainable growing population. Almost as
Ministry of Agriculture for
agriculture in developing parts important is to reduce the amount
the Republic of Indonesia to
of the world. of food that is wasted every year.3
empower smallholder farms
On the waste front, AI can play a
with solutions to help increase • Microsoft and ICRISAT developed
significant role. It can contribute
profitability and efficiency using the AI Sowing App, which draws
3
The UN Food and Agriculture Organization estimates that one-third of all food produced for human consumption—1.3 billion tons—is wasted annually.
http://www.fao.org/climate-change/our-work/areas-of-work/food-loss-and-waste/en/

SDG 2: Zero Hunger
to ensuring that highly perishable town in Australia. Designed • ACM has also implemented
foods, such as milk, make it from to handle 200 million liters of a sophisticated temperature
the farm to the processing plant milk, the facility uses a state- monitoring system that
quickly and safely. of-the-art information system uses sensors and Microsoft
built on Microsoft Dynamics 365 technologies, including Azure
• A pioneering, AI-based
and Azure Cognitive Services and SQL, to detect temperature
operations management system
to automate the process of fluctuations in storage tanks and
is improving efficiency, ensuring
pumping milk from tanker trucks, sending alerts to farmers
safety, and lowering costs for a
trucks to silos—monitoring and drivers. If the system senses
brand-new milk processing and
quality and creating a rich data an electrical failure on a farm,
manufacturing facility operated
trail so the milk can be tracked for example, it can automatically
by Australian Consolidated
from the farm to the store. dispatch trucks to collect the
Milk (ACM) in Girgarre, a small
milk before it spoils.
For more initiatives related to SDG 2, see our efforts to replenish water in water-stressed areas
where we operate and to help farmers use water more efficiently (SDG 6), promote decent work and
economic growth for the digital age (SDG 8), extend internet and electricity to rural areas around the
world (SDG 9), protect ocean resources from illegal fishing (SDG 14), and improve agricultural yields
through technology and big data (SDG 15).

Partner Interviews
World Health Data Hub
Dr. Samira Asma

Assistant Director-General, Division of Data, Analytics and Delivery for Impact
World Health Organization
What has been the biggest have joined forces to meet these
surprise in your partnership data challenges and ensure we
with Microsoft? are better prepared for future
outbreaks. The result of this
Even before the coronavirus collaboration is the World Health
pandemic, the world needed
more timely, reliable, actionable,
Data Hub—the new “home of Sustainability
the world’s health data.” The
and accessible data to make Hub is a realization of Dr. Tedros’ requires
swift decisions. The pandemic transformative vision for WHO
has both underscored this need embedded
to be a global leader in health
and highlighted the urgency of knowledge and
data and analytics technology. As
working together to strengthen an interactive digital platform, it
the global data architecture, will provide easy access to view
expertise.
fill data gaps, and resolve and download health data along
fragmentation. In response, with powerful visualization tools
WHO and technology partners to better understand trends,
such as Microsoft and Avanade patterns, and connections. It

Partner Interviews
also allows countries to securely income to sex, age, geographic pandemic has exacerbated them
upload and review their data and location, ethnicity, and more. even further. Moreover, recent
fulfills WHO’s commitment to Sustainable capacity building primary data is still lacking for
provide complete, transparent, in low-resource settings will be many SDG indicators, hindering
and open data as a public good. critical to reduce these inequalities our ability to accurately monitor
and ensure health for all. The progress. With 67 of the 231 SDG
This monumental effort would
private sector has an important indicators relying on a functional
not have been possible without
role to play in filling these gaps civil registration and vital statistics
public-private partnerships like
by investing in areas like training system, how can we reliably meet
the one between WHO and
and infrastructure. In terms of the SDGs when we cannot even
Microsoft. The biggest surprise
SDG 3, it also has potential for count the number of deaths in a
from our partnership has been
greater support in areas such country?
the alignment of comparative
as public health surveillance,
strengths to begin developing The private sector has access to
precision medicine, patient care,
the World Health Data Hub. With unique resources and technology
and translating health data into
the convening power of WHO that are critical to fill these gaps
effective policy design.
and the cutting-edge tools and and reduce inequalities—for
technology from Microsoft, we’ve The private sector is an important example, by addressing the
been able to go farther and contributor to achieving all SDGs growing digital divide. Investing in
faster than ever before. Above and, as WHO’s partnership with the weakest areas highlighted by
all, the strongest aspect of this Microsoft has shown, can have SCORE and similar assessments
partnership is that it is built on great impact when working with would be a huge step towards
shared values—mutual trust, a shared purpose and objectives. improving the quality and
respect, and accountability for There is always more to be done timeliness of data at the collection
results. and we will face many challenges point.
to get back on track to 2030, but
However, it’s not just about
if we come together as a global
In the Sustainable Development funding. Sustainability requires
community, then we can better
Goals, Goal 17 calls for embedded knowledge and
tackle these challenges head-on.
revitalized partnerships to expertise. While funding can help
achieve the SDGs. Is the private address immediate shortfalls,
sector fulfilling its potential as a In the 2030 Agenda for technology development and
contributor to SDGs? Sustainable Development, transfer are equally important.
“financial resources, technology Implementing systems like the
There are 17 integrated SDGs development, and transfer, and World Health Data Hub will
that must be met by 2030, capacity building” are listed as require IT infrastructure, training,
but without accurate health three means of implementation and ongoing technical support for
data it’s hard to tell how we’re for the SDGs. Where is the which the private sector plays a
doing. The coronavirus pandemic private sector falling short? key role.
has underscored the impact of
health on all SDGs, and SDG 17.5 WHO’s recent assessment of The coronavirus pandemic
specifically calls for investment in health information systems has underscored the need for
least-developed countries (LDCs). capacity in 133 countries found efficient, multilateral cooperation
These LDCs and Small Island that only 40 percent of deaths that is responsive to unique
Developing States (SIDS) are at worldwide are registered and country needs and reflects
greatest risk of falling behind only 27 percent of countries have their specific priorities. The
without significant capacity sustainable capacity to survey private sector has already made
building and infrastructure. public health threats (SCORE for significant contributions, but we
Health Data Technical Package). still have a long way to go and
The coronavirus pandemic has
These data gaps and inequalities WHO welcomes all new ideas and
shown that inequalities persist
are stark, and the coronavirus opportunities to collaborate with
across all stratifiers—from
speed and scale.

Partner Interviews
How should companies think and outdated tools. With modern and country capacity building that
about what truly counts as technology and digital solutions will accelerate progress towards
“sustainable” when they report at our disposal, we have a the SDGs.
on the SDGs? collective responsibility to make
Sustainability is ultimately about
sure that data is accessible as a
Every data point is a person. A the ability to assess impact and
global public good while also
place. An event. It tells a story measure progress over time.
ensuring the privacy of individual
about what is happening in the As we continue to develop and
information.
lives and livelihoods of people. deploy the World Health Data
When we talk about sustainability, Every country should have Hub and other key initiatives,
this means that data is both self-reliant data and health our takeaway message is that
representative of and used by the information systems to guide data cannot affect us all unless it
people for whom it is collected. strategic policy dialogue and reflects us all.
best serve the needs of their
A guiding question at WHO has populations. We live in an
always been, “Is anyone being left interconnected world, and data
behind?” Our work centers around systems must reflect that and not We have a
improving data availability, quality,
and timeliness to help answer this
operate in isolation. collective
question. And as mentioned, we As Dr. Tedros often says, we responsibility to
continue to uncover many gaps cannot make progress unless
that require urgent investment we can measure progress. As make sure that
and capacity building. part of WHO’s transformation data is accessible
agenda, the Division of Data,
Sustainability also means Analytics and Delivery for Impact as a global public
responding to country priorities was established to improve
and needs. For instance, the good while also
measurement, focus on results
coronavirus pandemic has and deliver impact. Since its ensuring the
highlighted not only the inability creation, and amid historic
to report data in low-resource challenges, the Division has
privacy of
settings, but also that, even in
high-resource settings, health
worked with partners to build individual
a strong foundation for data
systems continue to face and health information systems information.
challenges with fragmentation strengthening, data governance,

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being
SDG 3:
Good Health and Well-Being
The coronavirus pandemic in line with target 3.8. Similarly,

continues to be an unprecedented target 3.d calls for strengthened
global health challenge. Microsoft capacity of all countries, in
remains focused on providing particular developing countries,
digital technologies and support for early warning, risk reduction,
to help people around the world and management of national and
access better healthcare. The global health risks—another area
pandemic has demonstrated where digital technologies can
the vital nature of technology in play an important role.
today’s healthcare landscape,
especially in times of crisis. We Our programs
believe that its importance will We are
• We are focusing our efforts in
only grow over time. Digital focusing our
technologies and tools have five specific areas where we
been critical for expanding think data, analysis, and the efforts in
access to quality essential skills of our data scientists can five specific
healthcare services and access have the biggest impact, and
to safe, effective, quality, and we are immediately dedicating areas ….
affordable essential medicines, $20 million to this specific

HIGHLIGHT
On January 30, 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the coronavirus disease
(COVID‑19) outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). By March 11, 2020,
WHO declared that it had evolved into a pandemic. The coronavirus pandemic has underscored
the need for efficient, multilateral cooperation to accelerate the progress toward global health
goals, deploying the innovation and expertise that public-private partnership provides. In response,
Microsoft and Avanade are collaborating with WHO and other partners to create the world’s first
comprehensive, end-to-end data solution for global health. The World Health Data Hub will provide an
interactive digital platform and trusted source for all global health data, fulfilling WHO’s commitment to
provide health data as a public good and ensure that every citizen in every country has a chance for a
healthier life.
effort, as part of the larger • With the help of Microsoft • We mobilized the AI for Health
Microsoft commitment to Services Disaster Response program to support those
contribute to the coronavirus experts, UNICEF has been focused on the front lines of
response efforts. working to enhance and coronavirus research. We have
improve the security and awarded more than 150 grants
• In May 2021, Microsoft mobilized
infrastructure of the COVAX to coronavirus research projects
resources to support the
information hub, which helps around the world.
coronavirus response in India.
provide key stakeholders
Microsoft became one of the • Microsoft, along with a
across the COVAX facility—
founding members of the Global consortium of public and
including governments, key
Task Force on Pandemic Response, private partners, came together
partners, and other interested
which will focus first on India, and to address vaccination within
parties—with immediate and
then other countries devastated underserved communities as
up-to-date information on
by the pandemic. As technology well as to create a framework
COVAX allocations and delivery.
plays a critical role in responding that will serve future vaccination/
Microsoft experts also work
to the pandemic, we are ensuring health efforts, so the ongoing
alongside UNICEF to track and
that every commercial and health needs of the underserved
monitor the distribution of
government organization in are not forgotten. This model of
vaccines from manufacturers
India has free access to the full public-private partnerships has
through to local market
capabilities of Microsoft Teams proven to be very successful by
delivery, increasing efficiencies
as they respond to the crisis. combining trusted organizations
and sharing real-time data with
Microsoft Philanthropies has also embedded within these
key stakeholders to help them
joined with other organizations communities with technology
make critical decisions, and
to purchase ventilators, oxygen and national/international
thus enabling a more cohesive
concentration devices, and other partners who have the resources
process in support of the
needed medical supplies for India. to assist. The overall goal is
COVAX facility.
to deliver vaccinations and
• Since the pandemic was
• More than 1,300 Microsoft essential health services to the
declared, the Microsoft Services
employees volunteered to help underserved, vulnerable, and
Disaster Response program
the city of Seattle operate the those with low access to care.
has completed 117 coronavirus
largest civilian-run vaccination
pandemic relief efforts that • Microsoft continues to
site in the nation. From April to
have been requested by support Folding@home, a
June 2021, 1.5 million residents
countries, states, regions, and global organization that is
were vaccinated, making Seattle
not-for-profit organizations researching SARS-CoV-2
the most vaccinated major city
across the globe. proteins that could help with
in the United States.
designing therapeutics.

• The Azure Health Bot service is • Microsoft and Teladoc Solo public health teams, and
a solution that uses AI to help announced a partnership partners across the globe to
the Centers for Disease Control to create a unified practice achieve greater health equity
and Prevention (CDC) and other experience for clinicians. This for the communities that they
frontline organizations respond collaboration will combine serve. Specifically, Microsoft
to patient inquiries, freeing up the Teladoc Solo platform is focused on improvements
doctors, nurses, administrators, and Microsoft Teams, which in vaccine equity, AI for health
and other healthcare will simplify the way health equity, and decreasing the
professionals to provide critical organizations and clinicians digital divide, including through
care to those who need it. work by streamlining partnerships with the HLTH
the technological and Foundation on health equity
• Microsoft’s Vaccine
administrative processes and on health system resilience.
Management program
associated with providing virtual
empowers community • We empower organizations
care.
members, frontline workers, tackling some of the toughest
and leadership to roll out • Broad Institute and Verily challenges in global health
comprehensive vaccination partnered with Microsoft to through the AI for Health
programs quickly and securely. deliver advanced technology, program. AI for Health is a
industry expertise, and scale $60 million, five-year
• We share good practices with
to help researchers interpret philanthropic program from
Microsoft suppliers to prevent
an unprecedented amount of Microsoft, created to empower
and minimize the impact of
biomedical data and derive nonprofits, researchers, and
the coronavirus pandemic on
insights to advance the organizations.
supply chain workers. And
treatment of human diseases.
we are driving suppliers to • At Johns Hopkins Medicine
improve their health and safety • Microsoft Airband Initiative (JHM) in Baltimore, scientists
management to minimize partner Mawingu Networks and physicians are collecting
the causes of hazards in the is working in Laikipia County, and tapping vast amounts
working environment. Kenya, to provide connectivity of data from clinical care,
to unserved rural health clinics. genomics—even wearable
Our partnerships Working with local government, devices—to better predict
Mawingu is deploying disease progression and to
• After a successful two- infrastructure to help health clinics pinpoint individual treatments,
year partnership, Microsoft utilize videoconferencing tools supported by Microsoft
announced the acquisition that connect rural clinics with Azure and analytics tools. The
of Nuance, which will enable larger hospitals in Nairobi and to hospital announced a five-year
clinicians with advanced ensure rural patients are provided partnership with Microsoft that
decision-making capabilities the highest quality of care. will support new discoveries as
while allowing for better part of JHM’s inHealth precision
connections with patients, medicine initiative.
Our support
through the use of advanced
• To improve public health and
AI and ambient clinical • Microsoft is committed to
sanitation, Thailand’s Ministry of
intelligence. working closely with customers,
Public Health takes advantage

of Microsoft AI and Cognitive through a mobile app. Using government agencies to identify
Services to capture, track, and Microsoft technologies, like public health risks and disease
share data on public restrooms machine learning and computer hotspots and to mitigate the risk
(a breeding ground for diseases, visualization, the app helps of epidemics.
if not kept in optimal condition)
For more initiatives related to SDG 3, see our efforts to support clean water and sanitation by
safeguarding the world’s water resources (SDG 6), provide complimentary connectivity to quarantine
centers in India (SDG 9), install smart water meters in hospitals in South Africa (SDG 11), and halt
cyberattacks targeting the healthcare sector during the coronavirus pandemic (SDG 17).

Partner Interviews
Digital equity for underserved

communities
Bryan Kariuki
Board Member
Mawingu Networks
What has been the biggest has enabled us to explore

surprise in your partnership different technologies and scale
with Microsoft? our networks across the country.
Using the tools available to us Companies
As an internet service provider across the Microsoft portfolio, we
working with rural communities in are having to think
can provide last-mile access to the
Kenya, the largest issue we face is more creatively
most underserved communities
one of inequality, both in terms of at an affordable price point. In
access to economic opportunities addition, we have been able to
about what true
and access to public participation collaborate to focus our efforts sustainability
and services. It is critically on marginalized communities like
important that we get everyone in women and girls, providing not means ....
Kenya access to the internet, and just connectivity, but digital equity.
our partnership with Microsoft

Partner Interviews
In the Sustainable Development In the 2030 Agenda for How should companies think
Goals, Goal 17 calls for Sustainable Development, about what truly counts as
revitalized partnerships to “financial resources, technology “sustainable” when they report
achieve the SDGs; is the private development, and transfer, and on the SDGs?
sector fulfilling its potential as a capacity building” are listed as
Companies are having to think
contributor to SDGs? three means of implementation
more creatively about what
for the SDGs. Where is the
The private sector is critically true sustainability means, and
private sector falling short?
important to sustainable also about how to embed
development, with partnership A key role of the private sector sustainability into their practices.
being an essential component when looking at implementation In a world where consumers are
of this work. In recent years of the SDGs is to enable local increasingly demanding greater
we have seen a shift toward partners who have strong responsibility, Microsoft’s mission
increased collaboration between community ties and an of empowering every person
public and private partners and understanding of local needs and and organization on the planet
a strong focus on sustainable the local landscape. Without a to do more remains critical. In
and scalable business models. core focus on capacity building to partnership both Microsoft and
Because of the resources available enable technology development Mawingu recognize that, to live
from organizations like Microsoft and use, as well as to catalyze that mission, ubiquitous access
and the private sector ’s focus on financial resources, growth will not both to internet and to energy is
expediency and innovation, we be truly sustainable. By placing critical. In addition, as a company,
have access to collaboration and a strong focus on collaboration we know that tools created to
tools that we otherwise would and partnership, not only can promote digital inclusion are key,
not. We are finding new ways, we achieve results connecting allowing connectivity to provide
every day, that the internet can be the unconnected, but also we value to everyone globally.
made more valuable, and we are can think more holistically about
working with Microsoft to move internet access and digital equity.
from a philanthropic model to a Using local partners and working
commercially viable approach to with the public sector enables
last-mile connectivity. private-sector partners to create
tools that have tangible value and
promote inclusion globally.
Without a core focus on capacity building to

enable technology development and use, as well
as to catalyze financial resources, growth will not
be truly sustainable.

SDG 5: Gender Equality
SDG 5:
Gender Equality
Gender equality is a foundational aimed at ensuring women’s full

goal that is critical to the success and effective participation in
of all the SDGs. Countless studies leadership at all levels of decision-
have shown that organizations making in political, economic,
across the public and private sector and social life. Microsoft also
with greater gender diversity are contributes to target 5.b, which
more innovative, successful, and calls for enabling technology,
adaptive. At the same time, the in particular information and
coronavirus pandemic presents communications technology, to
new challenges, including promote the empowerment of
increased risk of violence against women.
women and girls, job losses, Microsoft
and the caretaking burden that Our programs believes that
has fallen disproportionately on
women. Microsoft is committed • Microsoft publishes free STEM technology can
resources, such as the Action
to advancing gender equality empower
in our company and in the Guide toolkit, to help educators
communities where we operate, and parents inspire girls and close everyone ….
in line with target 5.5, which is the gender gap in STEM fields.

SDG 5: Gender Equality
HIGHLIGHT
In July 2021, in addition to our engagement at the 2021 UN Generation Equality Forum (GEF), a global
gathering for gender equality convened by UN Women, Microsoft signed on to serve as one of the
leaders of the GEF’s Technology and Innovation Action Coalition, which focuses on gender equity in the
access, use, and design of technology and innovation. Embracing our unique position, we have sought
opportunities to work with our growing network of UN stakeholders and build on existing efforts to bridge
the digital divide by addressing these issues in the specific context of gender equality. We also announced
a new collective commitment, spearheaded by Microsoft, aimed at addressing disparities in the quality,
availability, and use of gender-related data. While data plays an increasingly important role in our lives,
access to quality data on gender has lagged. This includes data that can be disaggregated by gender,
data that utilizes gender as a primary marker, and data that reflects different lived experiences related to
gender. Incorporating standards articulated by Data2X among others.
• The Microsoft DigiGirlz program • Through targeted skilling efforts, digital development services.
gives high-school girls the we help women access careers Since women’s empowerment
chance to participate in hands- in in-demand fields. We partner is key to sustainable community
on computer and technology with CyberShikshaa, a nonprofit development, Microsoft and
workshops, learn about careers in India, and Junior Achievement USAID focus their collaboration
in technology, and connect with in South Korea to help women on creating sustainable and
Microsoft employees. returning to work to train for gender-equitable connectivity
careers in cybersecurity. offerings. Projects are being
• Microsoft publishes detailed data
deployed with six participating
on gender representation and • Our strategic partnership with the
Airband partners across the
pay within Microsoft, providing National Center for Women &
globe, including: New Sun
insight into the progress and Information Technology (NCWIT)
Road (Guatemala), Bluetown
work that needs to be done to Aspirations in Computing
(Ghana), AirJaldi (India), AndiTel
achieve full gender equality at the program has empowered more
(Colombia), Mawingu (Kenya),
company. than 13,000 high-school girls
and M-KOPA (Kenya).
to participate in the field of
• We are helping other companies
computer science.
reach the UN’s gender diversity
Our support
goals by 2030 by showcasing • Codess is a community for female
revolutionary products, like coders initiated by Microsoft and • Microsoft has been a
DEInamics, as part of our established to explore ways to strong supporter of the
#BuildFor2030 campaign. promote gender diversity in the TECHNOLOchicas program,
engineering field. both through financial support
• We required our Devices
and internal engagement.
suppliers and their factories to • With Microsoft’s support, CARE
implement nondiscrimination launched its dashboard for their
policies and ensure equal global Woman’s Empowerment
opportunities for vulnerable program, allowing managers For more initiatives related
groups, including women, in and users to learn how women to SDG 5, see our efforts to
hiring and employment. respondents globally have been promote quality education
impacted by the coronavirus and digital skills programs
pandemic. for young people
Our partnerships
worldwide, with a focus on
• We partner with women-centered • Launched in August 2020,
underserved populations
ProMujer working to advance the USAID/Microsoft Airband
(SDG 4), and to teach
equality in Latin America, Initiative is a public-private
coding and technology
including financial inclusion, partnership that seeks to
skills to underrepresented
entrepreneurship, and health, bring internet access to more
women around the world, groups (SDG 10).
enabling digital transformation
and opportunities for digital expanding women’s economic
inclusion of the women they serve. opportunities and enabling

SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
SDG 6:
Clean Water and Sanitation
Billions of people worldwide strategies. Microsoft is committed

still lack access to clean water and to increasing our own water
basic sanitation. The coronavirus efficiencies, replenishing water in
pandemic has put this issue in the stressed areas where we operate,
spotlight, since effective hygiene and playing a role in encouraging
and sanitation are critical to responsible water resource
stopping the spread of pathogens. management.
Looking forward, based on
current trends, more than half of Our programs
the world’s population could be
living in water-stressed areas by • Microsoft is a founding
2050—dramatically heightening member of the Water Resilience
the risk of water insecurity, Coalition, launched in 2020 By 2030
conflict, and suffering. To address as an initiative of the United Microsoft will
water scarcity, target 6.4 calls for Nations Global Compact CEO
Water Mandate. The coalition replenish more
a substantial increase in water-use
efficiency across all sectors by has grown to 20 industry- water than it
2030, in addition to sustainable leading corporations, all of
consumes ....
water withdrawal and replacement whom have pledged to work

HIGHLIGHT
In September 2020, we announced that by 2030 Microsoft will be water positive, meaning that we
will replenish more water than we use. We are tackling our water consumption in two ways: reducing
our water use intensity—or the water we use per megawatt of energy used for our operations—and
replenishing water in the water-stressed regions where we operate. This means that by 2030 Microsoft will
replenish more water than it consumes on a global basis.
Our reduction in water use intensity and our replenishment commitments address the key issue of water
availability, which is the amount of water that can be used to meet demand. However, that is only part of
the challenge. Equally important is the issue of accessibility, which is the supply of safe drinking water and
sanitation. That is why we are partnering with non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to ensure that
more than 1.5 million people gain access to clean drinking and sanitation water. Together with Water.org,
a leading global nonprofit focused on underserved communities, we have helped empower an estimated
160,000 people with access to safe water or sanitation, which has accounted for 500 million liters of net
positive water impact in the first year.
collectively on availability, where it operates. Currently, terms. The Smart Water

quality, and accessibility issues we have water restoration Navigator helps companies
in water-stressed locations. The projects underway in Arizona, reduce their water usage at a
Coalition is working together California, Nevada, North facility level. Both tools are free
to identify priority basins for Dakota, Washington State, and of charge.
collective action in 2021 and Wyoming, in the United States,
• We worked with community
to set targets for improving and in Chennai and Karnataka,
organizations and partners to
conditions in those basins. in India.
establish over 20 water projects
• Microsoft’s Climate Innovation • We are innovating in water around the world—including
Fund invested $10 million collection, treatment, reuse, several projects alongside
in the Emerald Technology and water use intensity at our our new sustainable datacenter
Ventures $100 million Global campuses and datacenters region in Arizona.
Impact Fund, whose investors across the globe. For example,
• Microsoft works with a number
also include Temasek, Ecolab, Microsoft has pioneered an
of nonprofits to restore
and SKion Water. The fund industry standard for water
waterways and increase water
will partner with early- to conservation in corporate
efficiency, including Bonneville
expansion-stage companies facilities by developing the
Environmental Foundation,
from around the world, driving first net zero water campus, in
to support projects that will
innovation and its adoption Silicon Valley, California.
increase flows and habitat
in water technologies. It will
conditions for migrating fish,
focus on pressing challenges, Our partnerships remove fish passage barriers,
including conserving water
and test new irrigation
resources, improving water • The Water Risk Monetizer
techniques that can improve
efficiency and quality, avoiding and Smart Water Navigator
the quality and quantity of fruit,
carbon emissions in water are powerful tools developed
while using less water.
treatment, and adapting to by Ecolab in partnership
climate change. This fund is one with Microsoft and S&P • Water is the primary means
of few solely focused on water Trucost. The Water Risk through which climate change
strategy. Monetizer provides will be experienced. As such, we
actionable information to help need governments to address
• Microsoft made a commitment,
organizations understand climate and water challenges in
by 2030, to replenish water
water-related risks and a more integrated way. One way
in the water-stressed areas
quantify them in financial to do this is through the long-

term goals that countries set works with governments and Justice and Accountability is a
as part of their national climate companies around the world California nonprofit focused
plans or Intended Nationally to better understand the on land use and transportation
Determined Contributions impact of water availability in underserved communities.
(INDCs) under the Paris and accessibility. One of the It is working to address the
Agreement. We began this work challenges it addresses is challenge of drinking-water
by joining WaterEurope, the water risk and scarcity in urban availability in California’s Central
leading association in Europe communities where data is Valley. About 1.5 million people
focused on technology and still often analog, printed and in the region rely on private
innovation aspects of water, and stored in stacks. domestic wells for drinking
by supporting the creation of water, and many of these wells
• As part of our water-
the Common European Green often fail during drought or due
replenishment strategy,
Deal data space. to groundwater management
Microsoft has teamed up
issues.
• By working with Microsoft, with the Freshwater Trust,
first with its Airband Initiative a nonprofit that protects • Microsoft and Schneider Electric
and now with AI for Earth, and restores freshwater (SE) have co-innovated on
SunCulture has been building ecosystems, and Upstream Azure to develop solutions to
an Internet of Things solution Tech, a company that develops improve water and wastewater
using local sensors and cloud- technological solutions for management along the water
based machine learning water conservation, who have cycle through smart water
models to produce detailed developed a tool called the technology and services
recommendations for farm BasinScout Platform. It uses for optimized water and
management based on weather satellite data, data about crop waste operations, water and
predictions, soil conditions, growth and farming practices, energy, safety, and enterprise
and pest levels. SunCulture was and applies machine learning sustainability. SE provides
founded to help African farmers to assess field-level agricultural energy and automation digital
by improving their productivity practices and their impact solutions for efficiency and
through solar-powered on water resources at scale, sustainability, combining world-
irrigation and by providing including scenarios about how leading energy technologies,
guidance on more efficient to be more water-efficient real-time automation, software,
precision agriculture methods. and cost-efficient. This helps and services into integration
These outcomes required conserve and protect the water solutions. Recent work from
gathering more information basins that are main sources of this co-innovation has helped
on the needs of their specific the public’s water supply. restore the water quality of the
farm. With access to irrigation, Bogotá River with the expansion
• With the support of our
financing, and reliable, real- of the Salitre II wastewater
AI for Earth program, the
time recommendations on how treatment plant. Working with
Leadership Counsel is using
best to manage their farms, the the Bogotá Colombia Water
Microsoft Azure resources
farmers can improve their lives treatment plant, the largest in
to host and deploy machine
and be better positioned to Colombia and under execution
learning models to predict
help feed the world. by Aqualia, new digital
domestic well failure resulting
technologies are making the
• Vector Center has developed a from groundwater changes
plant more efficient. The Bogotá
platform called the Perception and resulting drinking-
River is polluted, and this is
Reality Engine on Microsoft water shortages. They are
threatening the environment
Azure to collect, correlate, and providing that information
and health of the 8 million
analyze data and produce an to local agencies so they can
inhabitants of Bogotá. The
overall picture of real-time use it to prevent well failure
wastewater treatment plant
events, which better monitor and improve water resource
is an important part of the
and forestall the threat of management and planning.
remediation efforts.
water scarcity. Vector Center The Leadership Counsel for

• Grundfos utilizes Microsoft heat losses by 20 percent, which has made the region
to support their business which means iGRID on Azure sustainable using local
transformation in digital will be reducing the energy resources, including advanced
and water solutions with usage in our cities, improving treated recycled water, to
the expected outcomes of the longevity of our existing replenish groundwater supplies.
improving customer satisfaction, networks, and lowering the
• In Puerto Rico, New Sun Road
increasing innovation, costs to the everyday citizen.
and VPNet, a local internet
and achieving operational
• Seequent is a New Zealand– service provider and Airband
excellence. Grundfos is a
based Microsoft customer and partner, are providing off-grid
global water technology
partner. They rely on Azure energy systems to enable water
company headquartered in
to drive their geospatial and pumping, management, and
Bjerringbro, Denmark. They
geoscience work, including internet access. These systems
pioneer solutions to the world’s
important work to address will serve as the anchor for
water and climate challenges
water quality and quantity more reliable energy, water, and
to improve quality of life for
with the Water Replenishment internet access through hotspots
people. Two ambitious water
District (WRD), the largest and community-relevant
goals are to provide safely
groundwater agency in the state digital skilling resources in rural
managed drinking water to
of California. WRD’s service communities on the island.
300 million people in need and
area covers a 420-square-
save 50 billion cubic meters
mile region of southern Los
of consumable freshwater by For more initiatives related
Angeles County and accounts
2030, which is why significant to SDG 6, see our efforts
for approximately half of the
innovation is occurring. To to employ technology to
region’s water supply. The WRD
provide water also means to help farmers use water
is using Seequent’s Leapfrog
reduce the amount of energy more efficiently (SDG 2),
Works to create 3D models
needed to heat our cities— install smart water meters
of the local water basins,
enter the Grundfos iGRID in hospitals in South Africa
creating better understanding
system built on Azure. Azure (SDG 11), and use AI to track
of groundwater flow and
services, such as the IoT Hub, destructive algae blooms
identifying contamination.
are utilized by iGRID to optimize in Guatemala’s Lake Atitlán
These models are helping
heat distribution in cities to save (SDG 14).
WRD maintain their Water
energy.Carbon
Overview Grundfos
Water can reduce
Waste Ecosystems Appendix 33
Independence Now Program,
Our approach (continued)
We will work with
Our water Driving collective action
We will partner with others to drive companies around the
commitments collective action, which begins with
world to drive innovation
With the latest scientific joining the Water Resilience Coalition
data on water scarcity in

as part of the United Nations Global and adoption of water
Compact CEO Water Mandate.
mind, we expanded our technologies.
efforts in 2020, setting a
new commitment to be Investing in the future of water
We will work with companies around
water positive by 2030.
the world to drive innovation and
adoption of water technologies.
Digitizing water data

We will use our technology to
generate actionable insights, increase
awareness of water issues, and
optimize water replenishment.
Becoming water positive Influencing policy

by 2030 We will use our voice at the local,
We will reduce the water intensity of national, and global levels to increase
our direct operations, replenish in water access and availability, improve
water-stressed regions where we work, quality, and ensure the integration of
and enable access to 1.5 million people. water into climate strategies.
1.5M
Empowering our customers
and partners
We are developing solutions to help
customers and partners understand
water-related risks. We will enable access to
water to 1.5 million people
in seven countries by 2030.

SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
SDG 7:
Affordable and Clean Energy
To avoid the worst effects solutions and new technologies

of climate change, the global that show promise for delivering
economy must transition a huge clean energy for a sustainable
portion of its energy supply from future. By sharing our findings
fossil fuels to renewable energy and supporting partners in the
sources. Target 7.2 calls for private and public sectors, we
substantially increasing the share aim to support target 7.a, which
of renewable energy in the global calls for enhanced international
energy mix by 2030. At the same cooperation to facilitate access
time, providing reliable power to to clean energy research and
underserved parts of the world technology.
is critical to driving economic
development and to building a Our programs
Microsoft has
pathway out of poverty. Microsoft set ambitious
• Since 2012, Microsoft has
has set ambitious goals to goals to eliminate
eliminate its carbon footprint and charged its business divisions
a fee for emissions associated
its carbon
transition to renewable energy
sources to power its operations. with energy consumption footprint ….
We also invest in innovative from the use of datacenters,

HIGHLIGHT
As one of the largest purchasers of renewable energy in the world, we are well on our way to reaching
our goal of 100 percent renewable energy by 2025. We began purchasing renewable energy via long-
term power purchase agreements (PPAs) in 2013 to match our electricity consumption at our datacenters,
buildings, and campuses worldwide, steadily signing more deals in subsequent years. Over the past year,
Microsoft has signed new PPAs for approximately 5.8 gigawatts of renewable energy across 10 countries
around the globe. This procurement brings our operating and contracted renewable energy projects to
7.8 gigawatts globally.
At Microsoft we have a long-term vision that we refer to as 100/100/0—that on all the world’s grids, 100
percent of electrons, 100 percent of the time, are generated from zero carbon sources. We call this a vision
because we alone cannot control the outcome. Like other users, our datacenters and our offices around
the world simply plug into the local grid, consuming energy from a vast pool of electrons generated
from near and far, from a wide variety of sources. So while we cannot control how our energy is made,
we can influence the way that we purchase our energy. That is why Microsoft recently announced its
own 100/100/0 commitment—one that acknowledges the limits on our ability to control global grid
infrastructure, but which maximizes our influence on it. By 2030, Microsoft will have 100 percent of our
electricity consumption, 100 percent of the time, matched by zero carbon energy purchases.
labs, and offices. We took • Our new Silicon Valley campus capacity and reducing demand
this step to hold our business is designated Zero Carbon on the grid, and although
divisions financially responsible Ready, and we are continuing datacenter backup generators
for reducing their carbon to finalize documentation for have historically run on diesel
emissions. In 2019, we doubled our Puget Sound campus. This fuel, we are exploring ways
this fee to $15 per metric ton demonstrates progress on our to run more of those same
on all carbon emissions. The commitment to pursue Zero generators on less-carbon-
carbon tax increases incentivize Carbon Certification from the intensive fuels or hydrogen fuel
our business divisions, International Living Future cells.
operations, and suppliers to Institute, showcasing that zero
• Microsoft ensures that all our
take responsibility for emissions. carbon designs are achievable
products meet or exceed
The fee is used in part to today.
voluntary energy efficiency
cover the costs to offset those
• We recently unveiled our standards, including Energy Star.
emissions through renewable
Redmond, Washington, We continually strive to improve
energy investments.
campus Thermal Energy Center, the energy-saving features of
• We are enabling more granular a state-of-the-art, all-electric our hardware product portfolio
measurement with data called central utility system that to help our customers save
Locational Marginal Emissions leverages vast geothermal wells energy.
(LMEs), which considers the to use the deep earth’s constant
condition of the power grid temperature to efficiently heat Our partnerships
at the time and location and cool new buildings via zero
that the clean energy was carbon electricity. • Supporting our goal of 100
produced. We partnered with percent renewable energy
• We are redesigning our
REsurety to create an LME tool by 2025, we have executed
datacenters for energy
on Azure that calculates the over 35 new power purchase
efficiency. Grid-interactive
decarbonization impact of our agreements across the globe:
uninterruptible power source
renewable energy supply with • With Volt Energy, a national
(UPS) batteries in Microsoft
greater accuracy, beginning African American–owned
datacenters store energy at up
first with a pilot in the Electric solar development company,
to 90-percent efficiency, adding
Reliability Council of Texas. we have contracted a

250-megawatt portfolio of energy-matching solution with 10 million pounds of carbon

solar projects, the intent our partner Vattenfall, which emissions per year and benefit
of which is to create new we will use to monitor energy low-income residents, who
opportunities for under- use and zero carbon energy stand to see a 10-percent
resourced communities and matching for our Swedish reduction in electricity costs.
to help pursue diversity in the datacenters. Building on this,
• We joined 20 organizations
renewable energy industry. we recently announced a new
to launch Solar Hands-On
24/7 pilot in the Netherlands
• Our 500MW PPA with Sol Instructional Network of
with energy provider Eneco and
Systems is a first-of-its-kind Excellence (SHINE), a public-
FlexiDAO, a technology supplier,
initiative, tying the purchasing private partnership to prepare
which will match one of our
of renewable energy to Virginia and its citizens to
Amsterdam datacenter ’s hourly
environmental justice and realize maximum employment,
energy consumption with Dutch
equity in under-resourced community development, and
offshore windfarm Borssele.
communities. This partnership economic benefits from the
Microsoft will be a flagship
prioritizes projects in under- solar power market.
customer of FlexiDAO’s 24/7
resourced communities,
solution, which will allow us and • M-KOPA, a Microsoft Airband
where we work with local
other Eneco customers access Initiative partner, is the largest
leaders and minority- and
to FlexiDAO’s 24/7 renewable provider of solar home systems
women-owned businesses.
energy-matching tools at scale. globally, connecting over
The partnership provides
750,000 homes and ultimately
at least $50 million for • We partnered with SSE
delivering affordable clean
community-led grants and Airtricity in Ireland to install
energy to more than 3.75
investments that promote and manage internet-
million people.
educational programs, job connected solar panels, via
and career training, and Azure IoT to Microsoft Azure. • New Sun Road, a Microsoft
programs that support Software tools aggregate and Airband Initiative partner
access to clean energy and analyze real-time data on the focused on access to clean
energy efficiency. It also energy generated, allowing energy, is developing data-
ensures that community optimization and reduction driven IoT technology solutions
benefits are realized through of the carbon footprint of for solar-based power systems
accountability measures that electricity grids. that reduce operating costs and
include third-party evaluators increase control and visibility.
• The Community Solar Program
who quantify and document These technologies optimize
in Chicago, a partnership
social and environmental the operation and management
between Microsoft and
outcomes of the initiative. of off-grid solar microgrids,
Common Energy, supports
ultimately driving down cost
• In 2020, we announced clean energy and environmental
and increasing reliability.
the availability of the first justice. Upon completion, the
commercial, 24/7, hourly project will prevent more than
For more initiatives related to SDG 7, see our efforts to develop solar-powered irrigation systems in
Kenya (SDG 6), extend internet and electricity to rural areas around the world (SDG 9), and achieve
carbon negativity while reducing the environmental footprint of our operations, products, and
services (SDG 13).

Technology and corporate responsibility
Teresa Hutson
Vice President, Technology and Corporate Responsibility
The pandemic forced many The coronavirus pandemic has

essential activities online, laid bare the fact that even in
including those related to the the best of times many people in
SDGs: Quality Education (key rural and other under-connected We focused
to SDG4), Decent Work and communities do not have access
Economic Growth (key to SDG8), to distance learning, telemedicine, our efforts to
and access to public information e-commerce, and other solutions augment our
(key to SDG16.10).  As a necessary for modern life. Early
consequence, technology on in the pandemic, we focused existing programs
companies played an important our efforts to augment our
and policy efforts
role in the pursuit of those goals existing programs and policy
during the pandemic. Do you efforts with a view to keeping with a view to
think this change will outlast the people connected and leaning
pandemic and the private sector into opportunities to provide
keeping people
will thus continue to play a role connectivity in areas lacking connected ....
to advance these sustainability internet access.
goals?

We mobilized our partners to the broadband gap in rural areas. The SDGs set 2030 as
maintain connectivity to customers We brought together private- the timeline to empower
economically impacted by the sector capital investment in new and promote the
crisis. As a result, people were technologies and rural broadband social, economic, and political
able to move to remote work deployments, with public- inclusion of all, irrespective
and learning, while also staying sector financial and regulatory of age, sex, disability, race,
connected to critical information support. Through the Microsoft ethnicity, origin, religion,
online during the pandemic (as Airband Initiative, we partner or economic or other status
an example, healthcare guidance with internet and energy access (SDG10.2). According to the
and census reporting). We also providers, telecom equipment indicators, this will be measured
supported the deployment makers, nonprofits, and local by the proportion of people
of hundreds of public Wi-Fi entrepreneurs to advance digital living below 50 percent of
hotspots and connectivity to equity—access to affordable median income in those
critical institutions like health clinics internet, affordable devices, and categories. How is Microsoft
through the efforts of our partners digital skills—as a foundation for contributing to this Global
around the world. Some of these empowerment and digital Goal?
projects are also augmented transformation across the world. 
Microsoft believes that we
through coordination with
This is not an initiative that we cannot empower every person
local officials and funding from
do on our own, and Microsoft on the planet to achieve more
development institutions.
is not itself becoming a direct if disparities in fundamental
Public-private partnerships like connectivity provider. We do this societal systems continue to
these that allow for creativity, by partnering with a network of negatively impact an individual’s
while operating with a sense of people all working on the same ability to thrive. Because of this,
urgency, and a holistic focus on goal—connecting people and we have been collaborating with
connectivity and its meaningful bringing with that connectivity partners and working within
benefits lead to solutions that the opportunity for a better neighborhoods and communities
are sustainable and scalable for life. We have come a long way to launch and scale a set of
the long term. We are confident since 2017, and our commitment actions and programs that we
these partnerships and the to work to ensure ubiquitous believe are meaningful to catalyze
outcomes they drive will outlast access to broadband is stronger equitable and inclusive change.
the pandemic. than ever. To close the digital
Closing the disability
divide once and for all, we need
divide. Microsoft plans to double
to act to connect the world
In 2015, the SDGs committed down on our accessibility work
quickly. Through our work and
to significantly increase and help close the “disability
our engagement, we hope to
access to information and divide” with a new five-
not just connect people, but also
communications technology year commitment to create
to provide a blueprint for other
and strive to provide universal and open doors to bigger
public-sector and private-sector
and affordable access to the opportunities for people with
entities to think about connectivity
internet in the least-developed disabilities. This initiative focuses
as a core part of their investments
countries by 2020. How is on three priorities: spurring
in health, gender equity,
Microsoft contributing to this the development of more
water, energy, or any other core
intention? Access, adoption, accessible technology across
area of sustainable development.
application? our industry and the economy;
using this technology to create
In 2017, Microsoft launched
opportunities for more people
the Airband Initiative to eliminate

with disabilities to enter the In 2020, amid heightened racial Strengthening our communities.
workforce; and building a tensions around the world, Justice reform: Through a five-
workplace that is more inclusive Microsoft announced a Racial year, $50 million sustained
for people with disabilities. Equity Initiative to expand on effort, we are working alongside
pre-existing efforts. What is the communities to advance a more
Investing in skills development
progress made so far on those equitable justice system, with
and higher education. As part of
commitments? a specific focus on policing,
our global skills initiative, we are
alternatives to incarceration, and
providing grants to community- Watching the events of 2020 unfold prosecutorial reforms. We aim to
based nonprofit organizations led and listening to insights from our decrease the number of persons
by and serving Black and African employees, we made a series of entering the justice system
American communities aiming five-year commitments in three key unnecessarily or unfairly, reduce
to equip more people with the areas: increasing representation disparities within the system,
digital skills needed for the jobs and our culture of inclusion within and help create safe, thriving
of the 21st century. We are also Microsoft; engaging our financial communities.
expanding computer science and ecosystem to extend the vision for
data science curricula for Black societal change; and strengthening Broadband: To support
and African American students our communities. participation in the digital
in high schools and universities, economy, we are expanding our
Representation and
through our Technology Microsoft Airband Initiative to
inclusion. Our goal is to
Education and Literacy in Schools eight US cities where Black and
double the number of leaders at
(TEALS) program and continued African American communities
the company who are Black or
partnerships with Historically face some of the largest
African American and Hispanic
Black Colleges and Universities broadband gaps. We are working
and Latinx. For Black and African
(HBCUs). with internet service providers
American people managers and other partners to deliver
Advancing racial equity (below director level), we are affordable broadband, and we
internally and externally. We 64 percent of the way to our 2025 are collaborating on programs
are committed to addressing commitment. that provide access to affordable
racial injustice and inequity by
Engaging our financial devices and champion digital skills
making a holistic response to
ecosystem. We have realized initiatives.
a systemic challenge through
three areas of effort: increasing growth in our Black-owned Skills and education: As part of
and African American–owned
representation and our culture our global skills initiative, we are
supplier base and have received
of inclusion within Microsoft; providing grants to community-
positive feedback on the supplier
engaging our financial ecosystem based nonprofit organizations led
experience. We have more than
to extend the vision for societal by and serving Black and African
doubled the percentage share of
change; and strengthening American communities aiming to
transaction volumes with Black–
our communities using data, equip more people with the digital
owned and African American–
technology, and partnership to skills needed for the jobs of the
owned financial institutions. In
improve the lives of Black and 21st century. We will also provide
addition, we have increased our
African American individuals in access to computer science
deposits with Black–owned and
the United States. for Black and African American
African American–owned Minority students in high schools through
Closing the digital divide via Owned Depository Institutions, our TEALS program and will
connectivity. We are working to enabling increased funds into continue to partner with HBCUs
close the digital divide through local communities. to expand computer science and
our Airband Initiative.
data science curricula.

Nonprofits: By rapidly scaling sector must continue to work with and media coalitions rethink what
our Nonprofit Tech Acceleration the public sector and civil society sustainable business models
(NTA) initiative, we are expanding not only to defend democratic look like, and ensuring Microsoft
technology support for institutions, but also to build them employees and customers
community-based nonprofits back up. Cyber and disinformation have access to information and
providing critical human and threats to democracy continue resources needed to advance key
social services to the Black and while trust in key institutions erodes civic issues.
African American community. NTA at an alarming rate. The protection
provides nonprofit grantees with of and trust in these institutions
cloud technology, training, and is critical to ensuring resilience of
support to ensure they can be our democratic societies. We are
The private
successful with modern solutions. nonpartisan in our efforts working
to support democracies globally sector must
and lead by example. Microsoft’s
Based on Microsoft’s work
commitment to this area falls under
continue to work
to protect and expand
access to the benefits and
three workstreams: securing key with the public
institutions from cyber-enabled
opportunities technology can
threats, preserving and protecting sector and civil
bring, how does Microsoft
contribute to the Global
journalism, and civic engagement. society not only to
Our technology-driven approach
Goal of ensuring responsive, defend democratic
includes providing free services
inclusive, participatory, and
and tools to these communities,
representative decision-making institutions, but
such as AccountGuard (more than
at all levels (SDG16.7)?
500 enrollments in 30+ countries) also to build them
Threats to democratic institutions and ElectionGuard (currently US
focused with international pilots
back up.
have shifted in the wake of the
US 2020 elections. The private planned), helping local newsrooms

SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
SDG 9: Industry, Innovation

and Infrastructure
The economic and social with the aim of providing

ramifications of the coronavirus universal and affordable
pandemic have significantly access to the internet in
impacted those who do not have least-developed countries. In
reliable access to high-speed addition to increased connectivity,
internet and connectivity—the Microsoft supports a range
now-famous “digital divide.” We of infrastructure projects that
have entered a time when access will strengthen economies and
to broadband connectivity is a local communities. Target 9.b
prerequisite for full participation recognizes the importance
in modern life. It is indispensable of domestic technology
for distance learning and development, research, and
Broadband
telemedicine, and it is essential for innovation in developing
business and e-commerce. Target countries, and target 9.5 calls connectivity is a
9.c calls for a significant increase for upgrading technological prerequisite for
in access to information and capabilities in all sectors to
communications technology, increase productivity. full participation
in modern life.

HIGHLIGHT
In line with our vision for human-centric connectivity, Microsoft launched the Airband Initiative in 2017
to eliminate the broadband gap in rural areas. We brought together private-sector capital investment in
new technologies and rural broadband deployments, with public-sector financial and regulatory support.
Through the Airband Initiative, we partner with internet and energy access providers, telecom equipment
makers, nonprofits, and local entrepreneurs to advance digital equity—access to affordable internet,
affordable devices, and digital skills—as a platform for empowerment and digital transformation across
the world. This is not an initiative that we do on our own, and Microsoft is not itself becoming a direct
connectivity provider. We do this by partnering with a network of people all working on the same goal—
connecting people and bringing with that connectivity the opportunity for a better life.
Airband is active in Argentina, Bolivia, Colombia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, El Salvador, Ghana,
Guatemala, Honduras, India, Kenya, Mexico, Nigeria, Paraguay, and South Africa. Airband partners make
use of a multi-technology and multi-frequency portfolio to connect the unconnected and determine
technology choices based on the use case. We have come a long way since 2017, and our commitment to
work to ensure ubiquitous access to broadband is stronger than ever. To close the digital divide once and
for all, we need to act to connect the world quickly. Through our work and our engagement, we hope to
not just connect people, but provide a blueprint for other public and private-sector entities to think about
connectivity as a core part of their investments in health, gender equity, water, energy, or any other core
area of sustainable development.
Our programs the broadband gap during • New Sun Road, another
the coronavirus pandemic, Microsoft Airband partner,
• Microsoft has a continuous
including the construction provides electricity, internet
commitment to innovation
of hundreds of public Wi-Fi access, and education in remote
and energy efficiency in
hotspots to provide community environments, helping to alleviate
our datacenter operations,
services, such as distance the effects of climate change and
which provides a model
learning, telemedicine, telework, global energy poverty.
for developing sustainable
filing critical forms (like
infrastructure. • Mawingu Networks provides
unemployment applications),
affordable internet connectivity
• The Microsoft Airband Initiative and other necessary online
to help communities in rural
advances broadband access activity.
Kenya gain access to online
and adoption as a platform for
public services and digital
human-centric connectivity, Our partnerships economic opportunities in
empowerment, and digital
partnership with Microsoft
transformation across the world. • Our partnership with
4Afrika.
Cal.net extends broadband
• By July 2022, within the United connectivity and digital • Italian coffee company Lavazza,
States, Microsoft Airband inclusion programming for energy and agricultural
partners are projected to rural and tribal communities innovator ALO&Partners,
cover at least 3 million people in the Central Valley and rural and the Colombian nonprofit
who do not have broadband Northern California. MAKAIA teamed up to connect
access in rural areas. Globally,
rural, coffee-growing areas of
Airband partners are projected • With a mix of technologies,
Colombia through the Microsoft
to extend internet connectivity AirJaldi, a Microsoft Airband
Airband initiative. They delivered
to at least 40 million unserved partner, created a series of
internet access via TV white
people by July 2022. hybrid networks to provide
space technology and have
affordable and reliable internet
• The Microsoft Airband Initiative already connected two schools
to some of India’s most
and its partners have taken and five farms.
underserved regions.
various steps to address

• In April 2020, Microsoft decisions, improve efficiency, also investing in essential

launched the Open Data and even help tackle some assets that will make data
Campaign to help organizations of the world’s most pressing sharing easier, including the
of all sizes realize the benefits of societal challenges. As a necessary tools, frameworks,
data and the new technologies starting point, we set out the and templates. In April 2021, we
it powers. The campaign reflects principles that guide how reported on the progress of the
our strong belief that everyone we approach sharing data Open Data Campaign one year
can benefit from opening, and committed to developing into the journey.
sharing, and collaborating 20 new collaborations built
around data to make better around shared data. We are
DEFINING HUMAN-CENTERED CONNECTIVITY

Access Ensuring the availability of affordable
connectvity and devices
Readiness Building digital literacy and skills
Applications Enabling individuals to receive the benefits
of basic human services, like education,
healthcare, and economic development
For more initiatives related to SDG 9, see our efforts to invest in clean energy and innovative
sustainable technologies and next-generation datacenters (SDGs 7 and 13), improve urban
infrastructure through technology (SDG 11), safeguard and strengthen governments and public
institutions (SDG 16), and promote partnerships to increase innovation (SDG 17).

SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
SDG 10:
Reduced Inequalities
This goal works in direct and discrimination based on age,

harmony with our mission to sex, disability, ethnicity, origin,
empower every person and religion, economic status, or
every organization on the other status. We recognize that
planet to achieve more. Too words matter more than actions
many people around the world and that we must do more to
still face structural inequalities promote economic and social
that create barriers to finding equality at all levels of society.
quality employment, equitable By taking comprehensive
treatment, and a feeling of safety action across underserved
in their communities. The recent and underrepresented
protests in the United States communities, we can make
highlight the systemic racism and meaningful progress toward
persistent injustice that many reducing inequality in line We recognize
Black and African Americans with target 10.3. This includes
that words
face. These issues are one piece eliminating discriminatory
of a larger pattern of exclusion laws, policies, and practices matter more than
and discrimination that plagues and promoting appropriate
every part of the world. Target legislation, policies, and actions
actions ….
10.2 calls for an end to exclusion in this regard.

HIGHLIGHT
In June 2020, we strengthened our commitments to address racial injustice and inequity for the Black
and African American community in the United States. Additionally, in the next five years, we will
take important steps to address the needs of other communities, including the Hispanic and Latinx
communities, across the company. We are focused on three sustained, multiyear efforts:
• Increasing our representation and culture of inclusion. We will build on our diversity and inclusion
(D&I) reporting and momentum from the past five years by adding an additional $150 million of D&I
investment. By 2025, we will also double the number of Black and African American managers, senior
individual contributors, and senior leaders we employ in the United States.
• In October 2020, we published our first Disability Representation report, disclosing that 6.1 percent of
US employees have self-identified as having a disability. We will now expand the survey to 45 additional
countries, reaching 90 percent of our employees.
• Engaging our ecosystem. We will use our balance sheet and engagement with suppliers and partners
to extend the vision for societal change throughout our ecosystem, creating new opportunities for
them and the communities they serve. For instance, Microsoft will double the number of Black and
African American–owned approved suppliers over the next three years and will spend an incremental
$500 million with those existing and new suppliers. We will also use our own banking needs to grow
our portfolio investment activity with Black and African American–owned financial institutions, and we
will establish a $50 million investment fund focused on supporting Black and African American–owned
small businesses.
• Strengthening our communities. We are using data, technology, and partnership to help address
racial injustice and inequities in Black and African American communities in the United States and to
improve the safety and well-being of our employees and their communities. Our commitments include:
1) Working to accelerate progress towards a more equitable justice system. 2) Helping students and
adults develop the skills needed to succeed in the digital economy. 3) Expanding access to affordable
broadband, devices, and digital skills. 4) Empowering the digital transformation of nonprofits that
support and are led by people of color. We are committed to working towards long-term systemic
change and sharing progress on our commitments to strengthen our communities.
Our programs • Accessibility is a core company to tech professionals through

value—one that we embed Office, Xbox, and Windows
• Through our grant program,
in every one of our product accessibility and assistive
AI for Accessibility, Microsoft is
lines. We provide resources technology.
working to harness the power
on hearing, vision, mobility,
of AI and innovation to amplify • Microsoft provides free
speech, mental health, and
human capability for people tools, like the Accessibility
neurodiversity. Through
with disabilities—all over the Checker for content creators
the Microsoft Accessibility
world. Projects include Seeing and Accessibility Insights for
Evolution Model, we share our
AI, a free app that narrates the developers, to help others serve
lessons and best practices with
world around you, designed communities with disabilities.
other organizations working
for the blind and low-vision • We are furthering steps
to achieve accessibility and
community, and Microsoft in our ongoing cultural
disability inclusion.
Translator, which helps improve transformation, ranging from
the accuracy of real-time • The Disability Answer Desk is a
diverse and inclusive hiring
captions for people with dedicated support team within
to developing and retaining
hearing loss or deafness. Microsoft that provides help to
talent, to holding ourselves
customers with disabilities and
accountable, including through

our publicly shared Microsoft • Microsoft TechSoup Courses offers low-cost broadband
Diversity and Inclusion Report provide expert-led tech training service in partnership with
and data disclosure, which we for nonprofits and libraries. public and affordable housing
update annually. Some 50,000 nonprofit staff communities. Together with
members to date have benefited the Housing Authority of the
• We are innovating new
from TechSoup training. City of Los Angeles (HACLA),
approaches to recruiting
Starry connected residents to
people with disabilities through • We worked to narrow the
free broadband in five HACLA
our Inclusive Hiring program. digital skills gap for youth with
communities in Watts and
The Microsoft Autism Hiring disabilities by helping Junior
Central Alameda.
Program is one example. Achievement Korea train
educators to teach digital skills • In the Cleveland metropolitan
• The Microsoft Justice Reform
to 15,000 students in South area in the United States,
Initiative manages more than 28
Korea for the 2019–2020 school only 31 percent of Black and
strategic partnerships designed
year. African American households
to advance and accelerate racial
have broadband, according to
equity in the justice system • The i.c.stars program trains low-
American Community Survey
with a focus on enhancing income adults in skills needed
data. But through a diverse
transparency and accountability for technology-based careers,
collaboration that included
through data and improving simultaneously preparing them
Microsoft Airband and PCs for
policy and practice. for a future of community
People, more than a thousand
leadership. Microsoft partnered
East Cleveland families
Our partnerships with i.c.stars to customize
gained access to affordable
a cybersecurity curriculum,
• Microsoft continues to be a broadband, low-cost devices,
equipping new cohorts with the
leading funder and board and digital skilling resources.
competencies and confidence
member of Code.org, which This partnership provided key
to jump-start a career in this
works across the country to learnings on how an extensive
field.
prioritize diversity in computer group of stakeholders—state
• As part of our commitment and local offices, corporate
science classrooms. In 2019,
to drive racial equity, the supporters, and community-
45 percent of students in
Microsoft Airband Initiative based agencies—can come
Code.org’s K–12 classes were
builds partnerships with together to make a greater,
female and 48 percent were
internet service providers, faster, more relevant, and more
minorities.
device refurbishers, community lasting impact.
• Microsoft is a founding organizations, government
member of the Partnership for offices, and others to expand
Global LGBTI Equality (PGLE),
Our support
digital equity—access to
a coalition of organizations affordable internet, affordable • In 2017, Microsoft announced
committed to leveraging devices, and digital skills—in that we would stand up for
their individual and collective eight cities across the United Microsoft Dreamers and other
advocacy to accelerate lesbian, States that have some of the Deferred Action for Childhood
gay, bi, trans, and intersex largest gaps in access and Arrivals (DACA) program
(LGBTI) equality and inclusion adoption for racial and ethnic recipients by representing
globally. The Partnership minorities, particularly for the them in court and litigating on
is supported by the United African American community. their behalf. This case brought
Nations Office of the High us to the Supreme Court of
• During the 2020–2021 school
Commissioner for Human the United States, which in
year, we provided financial
Rights (OHCHR) and is operated June 2020 ruled in favor of
and logistical support for
in collaboration with the World the Dreamers and against
Starry, an internet service
Economic Forum. the rescission of the DACA
provider in Los Angeles that
program.

• Microsoft supports the • Microsoft was recently awarded • Microsoft joined the Second
OHCHR Standards of Conduct a Level 1 Broad-Based Black Chance Business Coalition,
for Business on Tackling Economic Empowerment which is a cross-sector
Discrimination against LGBTI (B-BBEE) rating for its coalition of private companies
people. operations in South Africa, that promote the benefits of
reflecting years of focused hiring formerly incarcerated
• We are working to expand
investment and commitment to individuals and will offer best-
the benefits of technology for
supporting Black workers and practices sharing opportunities
people with disabilities through
Black-owned businesses. for employers.
public policy advocacy and
community engagement.
For more initiatives related to SDG 10, see our efforts to leverage our balance sheet and technology
for humanitarian purposes, invest in local workforces in developing regions, and obtain a Level 1
B-BBEE rating in South Africa (SDG 1), promote quality education and digital skills programs for
young people worldwide with a focus on underserved populations (SDG 4), empower young women
and girls and prepare them for careers in STEM fields, while increasing transparency around our
internal gender diversity efforts (SDG 5), extend internet connectivity to underserved parts of the
world (SDG 9), and safeguard and strengthen governments and public institutions (SDG 16).

Digitally empowering communities
Antony Cook
Corporate Vice President and Deputy General Counsel, Customer & Partner Solutions
Antony Cook on providing Agenda. How is Microsoft

technology benefits to working to bring benefits of
stakeholders at a regional level. technology, innovation and
capacity building, and data
The United Nations 2030 to its customers, partners,
Agenda for Sustainable
To truly have
governments, and communities
Development (2030 Agenda) at a multiregional level? human-centric
adopted a far-reaching and
people-centered set of universal My role at Microsoft is leading an connectivity
goals and targets. To achieve international team of more than
requires placing
the universal dimension of 350 legal, policy, and corporate
these goals in the next nine affairs professionals who work at the community at
years, the UN mentioned the intersection of technology,
law, and public policy. Every day,
the center ….
technology, innovation and
capacity building, and data in more than 100 countries, my
as some of the key means of team is helping our customers,
implementation for the 2030 communities, and government

partners realize a more innovative seeing how essential affordable • Microsoft announced its
and inclusive economic and reliable connectivity was Berdayakan Ekonomi Digital
future through policy insights, to help realize an innovative Indonesia initiative, which marks
partnership investments, and and inclusive economic future. a significant commitment to
helping organizations adapt to a It’s therefore unsurprising that advancing growth and digital
changing technology landscape. Africa has been so influential in transformation for Indonesia, its
guiding our connectivity strategy vibrant developer and startup
For me this work is very personal.
approach worldwide; this includes ecosystem, enterprises, and the
Before moving recently to the
the Microsoft Airband Initiative, a public sector.
United States to manage our
commitment to connect 40 million
international team, I have had Central & Eastern Europe (CEE)
people outside the United States
the fortune of spending the last
by July 2022. • Baltics: To support the
17 years living and working in
learning of modern knowledge,
the Asia Pacific and Middle East What this experience also tells us
Microsoft is implementing the
& Africa regions. In that time, is that connectivity is just the start,
Baltic Digital Skills Development
I have seen the impact of our and that access to broadband
Program. The program was
work first-hand, marveling at the can be a catalyst for so many
developed and launched by
advances that our technology areas of need: financial inclusion,
Microsoft in October 2020 in
has created in countries large and distance education, telemedicine,
cooperation with the Innovation
small, developed and developing, and precision agricultural to
Centre of the University of
and been inspired by what local name a few. It’s why we partner
Latvia LUMIC, the ISM University
innovators have done to expand with social entrepreneurs and
of Management and Economics
the reach and exploit the potential nonprofits to expand access not
in Vilnius, and the Estonian
of these technologies. only to broadband, but also to
Business School in Tallinn, and
training for the skills which are so
But, as compelling as these has thus far made it possible
important in the digital economy.
advances might be, this same for 70 participants to receive
In Africa alone, Microsoft has 16
experience has also taught me internships in 15 different
active projects covering 4 million
that there are some things we companies across the region.
people, with the aim to reach 6.5
cannot take for granted, the Moreover, we will invest an
million by July 2022.
most fundamental of which is additional $200,000 from the
access to affordable and reliable Below are specific initiatives that Emerging Markets Skilling
connectivity. Perhaps there is no Microsoft is taking on a regional program, where in partnership
better example of the importance basis. with a Latvian NGO, we aim to
of connectivity than in Africa, skill and provide internships for
where internet access remains out up to 3,000 people.
Asia Pacific (APAC)
of reach for more than half of the • Greece: As part of the
population. I spent many years • Microsoft announced its
GRforGrowth Program, which
travelling across the continent and “Bersama Malaysia” (Together
primarily refers to Microsoft’s
with Malaysia) initiative, which
DC Region investment in
marks a significant commitment
Greece, at the beginning of 2021
to empowering Malaysia’s
we launched an aspirational
inclusive digital economy and
project to train more than
We cannot take advancing the nation’s digital
100,000 people within five
transformation across the
for granted … private and public sectors.
years—until end of 2025.
More specifically, we initiated a
access to affordable Microsoft announces plans to
skilling project with the Greek
establish its first datacenter
and reliable region in Malaysia as part of
Government for public-sector
employees through which we
“Bersama Malaysia” initiative
connectivity. have already delivered 500
to support inclusive economic
training courses and accredited
growth.

438 certificates on Azure • Poland: There are as many than 4 million people in LATAM
and Office fundamentals. as 105,000 trained cloud currently excluded from the
Furthermore, together with professionals one year after the digital economy. This initiative
Regeneration—Greece’s largest announcement of Microsoft’s is in partnership with nonprofit
and most multistakeholder investment in the development partners at the regional level,
paid placement and training of the Polish Digital Valley. That’s like the Trust for the Americas
program—we are working on 12 new specialists every hour and EIDOs, with local execution
implementing a project to reskill and 9,000 cloud experts per in partnership with governments
1,000 beneficiaries within 2021. month. The commitment made and local organizations. The
Our goal is to achieve at least a by Microsoft last year, training progressive skilling goes from soft
50-percent employability rate. 150,000 people in five years, skills to technical skills, including
is being implemented three productivity and role-based
• Slovakia: Healthcare is one
times faster than estimated. skilling linked to real employment
of the key industries with
Digital competences are on the opportunities. Also, we support
full potential to benefit from
agenda of the most important sustainability initiatives, like
modern technology and
industry meetings—for 72 PrevisIA in Brazil, to detect illegal
innovation, and Microsoft
percent of participants in the deforestation and fires using
cooperates with many
survey “BARRIERS and TRENDS,” satellite images and AI.
hospitals on various artificial
digital competency is the
intelligence (AI) projects, such Middle East & Africa (MEA)
greatest challenge of digital
as Transforming Healthcare:
transformation. • In Africa, internet access
Enhance Oncological Patient
remains out of reach for more
Journey SK. Slovakia lags Latin America (LATAM)
than half of the population, with
behind developed
• Microsoft´s commitment to only 46.2 percent connected to
Europe in almost all
covering 8 million unconnected the internet in 2020.4 Through
monitored parameters of
people in LATAM with affordable the Microsoft Airband Initiative,
oncology diagnosis—from early
internet access as part of a we partner with internet and
diagnosis to the availability of
worldwide commitment to energy access providers to
innovative treatment. The total
connect 40 million (outside the catalyze the creation of digital
time from the first presentation
United States) by July 2022 is equity platforms. This includes
of the patient to the general
a bold ambition that not only access to broadband, skilling
practitioner to the start
strives to find sustainable and opportunities, and, in some
of treatment averages 160-
economical ways to access this cases, access to devices.
plus days. This results in high
essential service, but also aims Microsoft currently has 16 active
overall mortality. The Ministry
to provide added value to end projects in Africa covering 4
of Healthcare and their ICT
users through financial inclusion, million people, and we aim to
service provider organization,
access to remote education, reach 6.5 million by July 2022.
NCZI, developed the
telemedicine, and deployment of Key partners include Bluetown
nationwide eHealth
precision agricultural solutions, in Ghana, where Microsoft
system. Microsoft is recognized
among others. To truly have supported the creation of a
here as the key cloud
human-centric connectivity digital platform to address
provider and partner for
requires placing the community national educational needs
digital transformation
at the center of the solution and for youth in underserved
projects, they are discussing
co-creating with the community communities,5 and Mawingu
different activities in the field
a tailor-made solution that will Networks in Kenya, which
of healthcare with us, and we
be sustainable. At the same provides access to rural
are specifically helping them
time, Microsoft aims to provide communities and focuses on
to shape this project with a
progressive upskilling training empowering female owners of
possible extension to AI.
in the next five years to more small shops in rural areas.6
4
Africa Internet Users, 2021 Population and Facebook Statistics (internetworldstats.com). For more Antony Cook, see page 79.

SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
SDG 11:
Sustainable Cities and Communities
Today, more than half of the safeguarding the world’s

world’s population lives in cities. cultural and natural heritage
Millions more are expected to (target 11.4), and reducing the
move to cities in the near future. environmental impacts of cities
Metropolitan areas contribute (target 11.6).
about 60 percent of global
gross domestic product (GDP), Our programs
yet they also account for about
70 percent of global carbon • Innovative Microsoft solutions
emissions. Creating the systems based on technologies,
and infrastructure for sustainable including the Internet of Things
cities in an era of rapid growth (IoT) and artificial intelligence,
will be key to managing some of are delivering a new generation
More than
the world’s greatest challenges in of governmental and public-
the coming decades. Microsoft sector services for smart cities. half of the world’s
believes that technology can • Microsoft AI for Cultural population lives
support the aims of SDG 11, Heritage leverages the power
such as improving inclusive of AI to empower people and in cities.
urban planning (target 11.3), organizations dedicated to the

HIGHLIGHT
Microsoft has opened smart cities hubs around the United States to develop uses for new technologies,
aid startups, and train the workforce of the future. In 2019, we opened our second and third Smart Cities
Technology hubs, in Syracuse, New York, and Charlotte, North Carolina. In August 2020, we expanded our
partnership with the city of Houston, Texas, which focuses on innovating in big data, artificial intelligence,
and the digital economy. Microsoft also brings to Houston “Accelerate,” a new program designed to
address economic recovery through skilling underserved communities and reskilling the many Americans
impacted by the coronavirus pandemic.
preservation and enrichment of • Breeze Technologies Telecom to deploy IoT-

cultural heritage. Our projects aims to deliver hyperlocal connected light posts through
include a collaboration with comprehensive and accurate Microsoft Azure. The resulting
the Nigerian Government to air-quality data from public and system allows for improved
help protect Nigeria’s rich private data sources and low- control, lower energy costs,
cultural heritage, as Microsoft cost sensors that feed AI and better citywide lighting, and a
will look to deploy artificial machine learning services on 2,723-ton reduction in annual
intelligence tools to preserve Microsoft Azure. carbon emissions.
and revive Nigeria’s three major
• To better inform policy decisions • The Siemens MindSphere City
indigenous languages: Hausa,
for reducing the urban heat Graph uses Azure Digital Twins
Yoruba, and Igbo.
island effect, a joint team led by to build digital models of entire
• Microsoft is collaborating with the World Resources Institute is environments within an urban
the Hellenic Republic’s Ministry using machine learning resources space and showcases them in a
of Culture and Sports to digitally provided by Microsoft AI for live execution environment with
preserve the Ancient City of Earth to map changes in urban integration of real-time data.
Olympia using AI and other surface reflectivity over time.
• Bentley Systems and Microsoft
technologies. An immersive,
• Vector Center works with have expanded their strategic
3D presentation will bring the
governments and companies alliance to accelerate
monuments and artifacts to
around the world to better infrastructure Digital Twin
life and offer people around
understand the impact of water innovations. The companies
the world the opportunity to
availability and accessibility. One are focused on advancing
experience them as they were
of the challenges it addresses is infrastructure for smart city
nearly 3,000 years ago. The
water risk and scarcity in urban urban planning and smart
project has been approved
communities where data is construction. The alliance
by the Central Archaeological
still often analog, printed and combines Microsoft’s Azure IoT
Council (KAS).
stored in stacks. It is digitizing Digital Twins and Azure Maps
data and has developed a with the Bentley Systems iTwins
Our partnerships platform called the Perception platform, enabling engineers,
Reality Engine on Microsoft architects, constructors, and
• The Smart Cities for All Toolkit,
Azure to collect, correlate, city planners to work within
which we developed in
and analyze data and produce a comprehensive city-scale
partnership with G3ict, helps
an overall picture of what’s digital twin, empowering better
city and agency leaders gauge
happening in real time, to decision-making, optimizing
the level of progress and
better see how to forestall the operational efficiency,
commitment to information and
threat of when water may not reducing costs, and improving
communications technology (ICT)
be available. collaboration.
accessibility and digital inclusion
as part of being a smarter city. • The Spanish city of Gandia • Aspern Smart City Research
partnered with Wellness has been honored at the IDC

2020 Smart Cities and stay connected. They have since inclusive and transparent. As
Communities Europe and Central seen a significant increase in part of our membership in the
Asia Awards in the Resilient collaboration across the city’s World Economic Forum Smart
Infrastructure category, made departments. Cities Alliance, we contributed to
possible by MindSphere City recommendations that cities can
• Ghent, a port city in northwest
Graph, based on Azure Digital use to create accessibility and
Belgium, has created CityBot,
Twins. The award is the first of privacy policies that will benefit
an efficient communication
its kind recognizing technology- their citizens.
and information system. This
enabled, groundbreaking, and
Azure AI–based chatbot keeps • Australia’s first Indigital Schools
innovative projects that deliver
citizens informed about public Minecraft Education Challenge
citizen-centric outcomes.
information, with transparency brought traditional stories to
• The town of Cary, North Carolina, and multilanguage support. The life through mixed reality and
is building an innovative flood city is now able to deliver secure Minecraft Education. Students
prediction system leveraging services and innovation to enable across the nation participated
Microsoft Azure IoT and SAS communication and information in the Challenge, exploring the
Analytics for IoT. sharing across multiple areas or question, “How might we build
departments. Ghent has been sustainable schools, cities, towns
• Through a partnership with the
able to greatly reduce the time or communities in 2030 using
Gift of the Givers NGO and the
it takes for its citizens to learn of Indigenous science, technology,
Western Cape Government
and comply with new policies engineering, arts and math
Department of Health, we are
and relevant information, which (STEAM)?” Developed by Indigital
installing smart water meters in
is critical during the coronavirus and supported by Microsoft,
hospitals across the Western Cape
pandemic. the Telstra Foundation, and the
province of South Africa.
National Centre of Indigenous
• The city of Zurich commissioned
• Malaysia’s Mass Rapid Transit Excellence (NCIE) and National
EWZ, its sustainable energy
Corporation is leveraging Library, the Challenge builds
and communications service
Microsoft Azure to design and respect for and recognition of
department, to create a network
build the newest extension to its the unique place Australia’s first
of IoT applications for the city’s
Greater Kuala Lumpur regional peoples have in their country.
diverse digital needs related
rail line, resulting in fewer
to the environment, mobility, • The Healthy Country AI
errors and design conflicts and
transportation, and other partnership in Kakadu National
improving collaboration efficiency
urban planning challenges. Park is a pioneering program
by 35 percent.
Their Smart City Zurich strategy that mixes responsible AI
• The city of Westminster, serving uses IoT network sensors and and science with Indigenous
the heart of London, was Microsoft Azure to gather data knowledge to solve complex
able to quickly pivot during related to the city’s growth and environmental management
the coronavirus pandemic by infrastructure. The city can now problems and care for animal
deploying Microsoft cloud quickly analyze data and generate species and habitats. The
solutions across its operations insights, all while keeping data partnership is part of the
to enable employees to work secure and ensuring privacy Australian government’s
from home and citizens to access regulatory compliance. National Environmental Science
services remotely. Additionally, Program through its Northern
• Microsoft is working toward
they provided all staff with Australia Environmental
making smart cities more
Microsoft Surface devices to Resources Hub.
For more initiatives related to SDG 11, see our efforts to invest in clean energy and innovative
sustainable technologies (SDGs 7 and 13), achieve carbon negativity while reducing the
environmental footprint of our operations, products, and services (SDG 13), and safeguard and
strengthen governments and public institutions (SDG 16).

I have had the great opportunity and development is our new

to see the work of MSR from my development centers in Nairobi,
time working in India and China, Kenya, and Lagos, Nigeria. The
two of the major labs for MSR. centers opened in 2019 and are
The partnerships these labs staffed by engineers from across
have fostered with universities the continent, creating solutions
and research institutions over for regional and global impact,
decades have encouraged leveraging technologies like AI,
innovative research, advanced machine learning, and mixed
education, and promoted reality innovation. A key initiative
academic collaboration. One within the centers is the Microsoft
example of these partnerships Africa Research Institute (MARI),
is the work of MSR India, who which brings together researchers,
is conducting research in engineers, designers, and the
technologies that can empower community to drive productivity in
underserved communities three specific areas: work, health,
around the world through and society.
the Technology for Emerging
Below are specific initiatives that
Markets (TEM) group. This work
Microsoft is taking on a regional
has led to high-impact projects
basis.
such as 99DOTS and Digital
Green that have “graduated” into
Asia Pacific (APAC)
independent organizations that
are achieving global scale and • Microsoft Research (MSR)
impact. Asia, our fundamental
regional research arm and
On the other side of the world, largest outside of the United
the Microsoft Research Advanced States, conducts both basic
Technology Lab (ATL) in Rio and applied research in areas
de Janeiro has been helping central to our long-term
business accelerators in Brazil strategy and future computing
support technology-based vision: natural user interface,
startups with high potential for intelligent multimedia, AI,
international expansion. These cloud and edge computing,
initiatives generate over 100 direct big data and knowledge
jobs, which include researchers, mining, and computer
developers, and entrepreneurs. science fundamentals. MSR
But these employment Asia cooperates with many
opportunities are only the universities and research
start, as the impact multiplies institutions in the Asia Pacific
throughout the value chain, region to foster innovative
ultimately impacting thousands of research and advanced
professionals. education, and to promote
academic collaboration.
Another example of where we
are encouraging innovation • Since its inception in 2005,
and investing in research Microsoft Research India
5
Microsoft on the Issues, “Microsoft steps up commitment to increased connectivity in sub-Saharan Africa,” October 2019.
https://news.microsoft.com/en-xm/2019/10/08/microsoft-steps-up-commitment-to-increased-connectivity-in-sub-saharan-africa/
6
Microsoft on the Issues, “Empowering Kenya and the World with high-speed, low-cost Internet,” July 2015.
https://news.microsoft.com/features/empowering-kenya-and-the-world-with-high-speed-low-cost-internet

data sets using advanced cloud conserve water and use it for
services, making prevention hops in the most sustainable
strategies less costly and more way possible. Internet of
I have seen the effective. Things (IoT) sensors will be
impact of our work applied on the farms together
• Greece: Following Brad
with Agritecture (consultant
Smith’s visit in Greece back
first-hand, company), which will allow
in February 2020, Microsoft
Asahi to monitor changes in
marveling at the entered a cultural sponsorship
soil and use water in a more
agreement with the Greek
advances that our Ministry of Culture & Sports
sustainable manner. The Asahi
project is a game changer for
technology has to provide a digital recreation
sustainable hops production in
of the ancient Olympia site
created in through the development of
the Saaz region.
countries large 1) an augmented reality (AR) • Poland: Energy transformation

mobile app; 2) a 3D interactive in Poland is a huge challenge
and small .... website; and 3) a mixed on multiple levels—it impacts
reality experience (HoLo). the economy and harms society
Development of all three digital (very poor air quality). Microsoft
experiences (web, mobile app, Poland is engaging in growing
has conducted research in HoloLens installation) is steadily an ecosystem that could
technologies that can empower progressing, and we are closely support twin transformation—
underserved communities collaborating with the Greek going digital to go green.
around the world through Ministry of Culture to finalize Projects range from typical
the Technology for Emerging accuracy of the monuments business digital transformation
Markets (TEM) group. This work along with various technical of energy-sector companies,
has led to high-impact projects details regarding web hosting. CSR activities to support female
such as 99DOTS and Digital The project is expected to leadership in the energy sector,
Green that have “graduated” launch by the end of September supporting local communities
into independent organizations 2021. with AI smog forecasting and
that are achieving global scale prevention tools, and creating
• Czech Republic: One of our
and impact, as well as projects a digital alliance of energy-
flagship projects encouraging
such as FarmBeats, that have sector companies under the
innovation and even
transitioned into new businesses Microsoft Energy Core initiative
contributing to sustainability
for Microsoft. and comprehensive upskilling
(AI for Earth) involves beer
and reskilling projects for the
Central & Eastern Europe (CEE) producer Asahi in the Czech
industry.
Republic. We aim to scale this
• Latvia: Microsoft is project across CEE in the future. • Romania: Microsoft Romania
collaborating with the Latvian The Asahi project drives efforts partnered with Regina Maria,
government on a data project in sustainable hop farming. As the largest private healthcare
that will help detect gastric droughts in the Saaz region provider in Romania, to
cancer in its early stages, thus worsen due to climate change, launch the European Nursing
enabling early treatment. Led the economic and cultural Academy—a one-of-a-kind
by the University of Latvia—one value of hops is threatened. skilling program to deliver
of Europe’s leading clinical Microsoft software solutions opportunities to 700 graduates
centers—the project aspires to will empower farmers with and train over 4,500 future
create an open and transparent a deeper understanding of nurses within the next five years.
data sharing platform under the droughts and how they As the leading technology
the GAIA-X framework that can adapt to and mitigate them. provider on the project,
will run across Europe. It will As part of the program, farmers Microsoft has embedded
draw information from diverse will be educated on how to technological solutions (AR,

HoloLens 2, AI) into the medical startups with high potential induce innovation and progress.
curriculum of the academy to for international expansion. In 2019, Microsoft opened its
digitally upgrade the training of These initiatives generate over first development centers in
future nurses. 100 direct jobs, which include Africa, with two initial sites in
researchers, developers, Nairobi, Kenya, and Lagos,
Latin America (LATAM) and entrepreneurs. As the Nigeria.7 The centers are
• In 2012, a Microsoft Research main objective is to promote staffed by engineers from
Advanced Technology Lab innovation, these opportunities across the continent who
(ATL) in Rio de Janeiro opened, multiply throughout the value are creating solutions for
together with a development chain, impacting thousands of regional and global impact
center for Bing and numerous professionals. by leveraging technologies
initiatives promoting innovation like AI, machine learning, and
Middle East & Africa (MEA)
in Brazil. ATL Brazil combines mixed reality innovation. A key
local capacity for technological • In the three decades since initiative within the centers is
innovation and advanced Microsoft entered the African the Microsoft Africa Research
engineering with expertise continent, the company Institute (MARI), which brings
in applied research from has made investments in together researchers, engineers,
Microsoft and its partners the technology ecosystem, designers, and the community
to expand production of including in cloud infrastructure, to drive productivity in three
national origin. Related development centers, skilling, areas: work, health, and society.
initiatives include the creation and capacity-building
of a business accelerator initiatives, and has established
For more Antony Cook, see page 92.
focused on supporting partnerships with governments
Brazilian technology-based to implement policies which
The company has made investments in the technology

ecosystem, including in cloud infrastructure, development
centers, skilling, and capacity-building initiatives, and has
established partnerships with governments to implement
policies which induce innovation and progress.
7
Microsoft on the Issues, “Furthering our investment in Africa: Microsoft opens first Africa Development Centre in Kenya and Nigeria,” May 2019.
https://news.microsoft.com/en-xm/features/furthering-our-investment-in-africa-microsoft-opens-first-africa-development-centre-in-kenya-and-nigeria/
8
Microsoft on the Issues, “Microsoft Africa Research Institute to be co-located with the Africa Development Centre in Nairobi,” July 2020.
https://news.microsoft.com/en-xm/2020/07/30/microsoft-africa-research-institute-to-be-co-located-with-the-africa-development-centre-in-nairobi/

SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
SDG 12: Responsible

Consumption and Production
Humanity’s current consumption consumption and production.

and production patterns are Relatedly, target 12.5 seeks
unsustainable in the long run. to substantially reduce waste
It is estimated that if the global generation through prevention,
population reaches 9.6 billion reduction, recycling, and reuse.
people by 2050, it will require
nearly three planets’ worth of Our programs
natural resources to sustain our
current consumption patterns. In • Through our $1 billion Climate
order to achieve success on SDG Innovation Fund, we have
12, we will not only have to use directly invested in several
less and waste less, but we will companies to help them
accelerate and scale their Our goals
also have to fundamentally rethink
production systems to create a solutions, including: include a minimum
truly circular economy. Target • Rheaply, to fund the of 50% recycled
12.a calls for the strengthening development of carbon-
of scientific and technological related Rheaply feature
content in all
capacities to move toward updates to help companies packaging ….
more sustainable patterns of measure carbon emissions

HIGHLIGHT
Microsoft is committed to achieving zero waste in its operations, packaging, and products by 2030.
Our focus on waste reduction initiatives began in 2008, when our facilities implemented single-stream
recycling and composting across our Puget Sound offices and dining services. Microsoft’s Puget Sound
campus, our largest, accounts for nearly half of our global facilities floor area and has been zero waste
certified since 2016. We also achieved zero waste certification at our datacenters in Dublin, Ireland;
Boydton, Virginia; San Antonio, Texas; and Columbia, Washington.
We are committed to diverting at least 90 percent of our solid waste away from landfills and incinerators.
In FY20, we diverted more than 60,000 metric tons of the solid waste from our campuses and datacenters.
As we continue to grow, we will achieve at a minimum 75-percent diversion of construction and
demolition waste for all projects. Some of our largest campus projects to date have shown exemplary
performance in this area. Our campus modernization project in Puget Sound is currently demonstrating a
95-percent diversion rate as we continue our construction process.
Given the number of components coming through our datacenters, in 2020 we committed to reuse
90 percent of cloud hardware by 2025 and launched our new Microsoft Cloud Responsible Packaging
Goals for 2025. The packaging goals guide our work on IT asset transportation packaging at our
datacenters. Our goals include a minimum of 50-percent recycled content in all packaging, with
100 percent of all cloud packaging being reusable, recyclable, or compostable, and an elimination of
single-use plastics in packaging. We set new a target to reach 100-percent recyclable Surface devices
by 2030. Our product packaging was, on average, 93-percent recyclable against our commitment of
100-percent recyclable packaging by 2030, and it was also 95-percent plastic-free. Our goal is to eliminate
single-use plastic packaging by 2025. In FY21, we began deployment of FSC-certified sustainably forested
paper and fiber packaging material. Wider transition is currently underway across our entire packaging
portfolio. In 2021, we are integrating our new innovations, technologies, and learnings from our most
recyclable products to the rest of our products.
We will continue to identify opportunities within our consumer devices to transition to circular models and
utilize recyclable and renewable materials. We recently introduced a variety of new Xbox Wireless Controllers
built using post-consumer recycled (PCR) materials, and we are increasing the PCR plastic content in Surface
computers and power supply units. We will continue to partner with our suppliers to run feasibility tests to
determine if recovered ocean plastics can be processed and used in Microsoft products.
savings from reuse and fuel datacenters. We recently both for ourselves and for our
the circular economy. launched our first Circular customers. Using machine
Center in Amsterdam, with learning, we will process servers
• Closed Loop Partners, to help
plans to bring new Circular and hardware that are being
accelerate the infrastructure,
Centers to Boydton, Dublin, decommissioned onsite. We
innovation, and business
Chicago, and Singapore in the will sort the pieces that can be
models for supply chain
coming fiscal year. We expect reused and repurposed by us
digitization, e-waste collection,
the Microsoft Circular Centers or our customers, and those
food waste reduction, and
to increase the reuse of our that can be sold. We will use
recycling industry products to
servers and components by up our learnings about reuse,
build a more circular economy
to 90 percent by 2025. disassembly, reassembly, and
at scale.
recycling with design and supply
• We are investing to digitize
• We are building first-of-their- chain teams to help improve
waste data across the company
kind Microsoft Circular Centers the sustainability of future
to identify opportunities to
to reuse and repurpose generations of equipment.
improve waste data collection,
servers and hardware in our

• Microsoft performs life cycle • We recognize that our • With the help of Microsoft Azure
assessments to calculate the employees are our biggest asset and Microsoft partner Ombori,
environmental impact of our in advancing innovation in our H&M Group reimagined its
hardware products, identifying journey to zero waste, and we garment recycling program in the
the key stages when the largest have created opportunities to United States, with new “smart”
environmental impacts take place enable them to contribute to recycle bins, launched in 2020
so the impacts can be minimized. our efforts, while reinforcing with the goal to save 5 million
the principle that individual pounds of clothing from landfills.
• Through our eco profiles, we
action leads to collective impact.
publish data on our greenhouse • We are partnering with suppliers
For example, Ecochallenges
gas emissions, primary energy to see how plastic waste
provide our employees with the
consumption, and material recovered from our oceans,
opportunity to learn and practice
composition for our products. waterways, and beaches can be
habits that support them on their
processed and used in consumer
• To identify and prioritize areas of personal zero waste journey:
products.
sourcing risk, we have expanded
• Our LinkedIn Ecochallenge
our mapping of key raw materials • We collaborated with Ellen
lasted three weeks in honor
to better understand the origins MacArthur Foundation network
of Earth Day 2020. More than
of those raw materials and the members to develop Circular
2,000 employees participated,
conditions under which they are Business to Business Transport
resulting in 7,500 plastic bottles
extracted and processed. Packaging Solutions.
not sent to landfill, nearly 250
• All eligible Microsoft devices trees planted, and almost • We maintained an independent
are registered to the Electronic 220,000 pounds of carbon Grievance Hotline to provide
Product Environmental saved. workers with a forum to ask
Assessment Tool (EPEAT), an questions and report issues with
• The Microsoft Ecochallenge
environmental-performance directly contracted suppliers in
lasted 19 days in November
rating program. our supply chain.
2020. Nearly 8,500 employees
• We have certified the activities participated, resulting in nearly
associated with the design of 20,000 plastic containers not For more initiatives related
our devices, manufacturing, sent to landfill and almost 1,300 to SDG 12, see our efforts
and supply chain business to pounds of waste composted. to employ technology to
ISO 14001:2015, and we require help farmers grow more
all contracted suppliers to crops sustainably and to
Our partnerships
establish and implement effective use water more efficiently
environmental management • We have partnered with The (SDGs 2 and 6), replace
systems. Recycling Partnership to build water consumption in
two recycling units at an existing water-stressed areas
• As reflected in our 2030
solid waste drop-off location in where we operate (SDG
packaging sustainability targets,
Mecklenburg County, Virginia, 6), invest in clean energy
our efforts are focused on
where residential recycling and innovative sustainable
improving resource efficiency
services are currently limited. technologies (SDGs 7 and
by using less material and
This project will allow residents to 13), and achieve carbon
minimizing empty space,
recycle plastic, glass, aluminum, negativity while reducing
improving circularity by
steel, cardboard, and mixed the environmental
transitioning to renewable and
paper, and provide public footprint of our operations,
sustainably sourced materials,
education for residents and products, and services
and reducing waste by improving
operational training for county (SDG 13).
recyclability.
staff.

45
f waste, Our progress to date

t
te, and food
, depletes
we breathe.
world’s
vironment,
d reduce
ation,
, we see
efits
nagement,
d materials
“triple We are accelerating the transition to a circular economy.
etal,
nture
Zero 60K
cular Collaborated with Ellen MacArthur
Foundation network members
via our to develop Circular Business
innovation, to Business Transport Achieved Zero Waste Certification In FY20, we diverted more than
e transition Packaging Solutions. of datacenters in Dublin, Ireland 60,000 metric tons of the solid
2020, and Boydton, Virginia. waste otherwise headed to
$30M
landfills and incineration from
90%
our campuses and datacenters.
10,500
Invested $30 million in Closed
Loop Partners’ funds to accelerate Successfully piloted our first
recycling and composting Microsoft Circular Center in
infrastructure, innovation, and Amsterdam, which shows Circular Engaged 10,500 employees
business models for supply chain Centers can contribute to in Ecochallenges to reduce
digitization, e-waste collection, increased reuse of servers by personal waste footprints.
food waste reduction, and 90 percent by 2025.
recycling industry products to
build a more circular economy
at scale.

SDG 14: Life Below Water
SDG 14:
Life Below Water
Billions of people around the Our partnerships

world rely on aquatic life for food,
• The Ocean Cleanup uses
resources, and employment. But
machine learning to identify
underwater ecosystems face severe
plastic pollution in rivers and
stress from pollution, waste, and
simulate how it moves in the
unsustainable fishing practices.
ocean. These insights power
Microsoft is committed to providing
passive cleanup systems to
resources and technology tools to
help remove plastic that
better understand and manage
impacts our ecosystems.
these critical resources. Target
14.a calls for increased scientific • Together with the Center
knowledge and research for the Fourth Industrial Current
capacity related to underwater Revolution and the Ocean
ecosystems. We believe that (C4IR Ocean), Microsoft is and emerging
current and emerging technologies building the Ocean Data
technologies can
can play a significant role to Platform, which combines
conserve and sustainably use the open data and technology to play a significant
oceans, seas, and marine resources. improve ocean health.
role ....

SDG 14: Life Below Water
HIGHLIGHT
Microsoft AI for Earth partner OceanMind is working to increase the sustainability of fishing by identifying
vessels that may be breaking regulations—analyzing their movements with AI and data analytics on
Microsoft Azure—and providing its insights to fishing authorities. One-third of fishing stocks in the world
today are overfished—constituting a severe threat to the food supplies of people around the world.
These problems are worsened by illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing, which catch between 11
million and 26 million metric tons annually and cost the industry as much as $24 billion—with the burden
falling disproportionately on the poorest nations with the least ability to police their waters. OceanMind
combines diverse data points to determine a vessel’s movement behavior, and AI systems can identify
suspicious activity that warrants investigation.
Our support forecast marine heatwaves, A grant from Microsoft and the
which disrupt marine food National Geographic Society
• In collaboration with the National
chains and lead to declines in funds this project.
Oceanographic and Atmospheric
fish populations. A grant from
Administration (NOAA), the • With Project Atitlán, researchers
Microsoft and Global Wildlife
Microsoft AI for Earth team are using AI to map and predict
Conservation (now known as
developed a machine learning the occurrence of destructive
Re:wild) funds this project.
model that automatically detects algae blooms, generally caused
and classifies beluga whale • The Scripps Institution of by pollution, in Guatemala’s
acoustic signals and ice seals Oceanography is using machine Lake Atitlán. Microsoft and the
in aerial imagery, reducing the learning and drone imagery to National Geographic Society
time required to annotate data evaluate mangrove ecosystems awarded a grant to enable this
and to answer key conservation on a local and global scale, project.
questions. providing stakeholders and
decision-makers with the
• The University of Washington
data they need for effective
is developing AI tools to better
management and conservation.
For more initiatives related to SDG 14, see our efforts to employ technology to help farmers
grow more crops sustainably and to use water more efficiently (SDGs 2 and 6), replenish water
consumption in water-stressed areas where we operate (SDG 6), invest in clean energy and innovative
sustainable technologies (SDGs 7 and 13), reduce waste and perform life cycle assessments of
our products’ environmental impacts (SDG 12), and achieve carbon negativity while reducing the
environmental footprint of our operations, products, and services (SDG 13).

SDG 15: Life on Land
SDG 15:
Life on Land
Across the world, fragile degraded forests, and increase

ecosystems are under threat from afforestation and reforestation
human development and the globally. Microsoft believes that
effects of climate change, and we must act now to avert this
nearly 1 million plant and animal crisis—and that technology can
species face extinction. Losing so help to sustainably manage
much of the universal ecosystem forests, measure progress, and
in a short time frame could be halt biodiversity loss.
catastrophic for global food
supplies and for the economic
Our programs
security of people who depend on
biodiversity for their livelihoods. • The Microsoft AI for Earth Technology can
Understanding the scope of program has provided
help to sustainably
these problems is crucial to more than 850 grants to
organizations working in more manage forests,
developing plans to solve them.
Target 15.2 seeks to promote the than 120 countries around measure progress, and
implementation of sustainable the world working on game- halt biodiversity loss.
management of all types of changing environmental
forests, halt deforestation, restore innovations, including

HIGHLIGHT
In April 2020, we announced our biodiversity initiative, focused on preserving and protecting the
biodiversity and health of the world’s ecosystems, another pillar in our sustainability initiatives launched
that year. We are mindful that sustainability issues are no less urgent or important today—even as the
coronavirus pandemic upends daily life for almost all of us. Nature and the benefits that it provides to
people remain the foundation of our global economy, our culture, and the overall human experience.
Based on lessons learned as we grew the initiative, we committed to building the Planetary Computer:
a platform to provide access to the world’s critical environmental data sets. We are continuously
onboarding more data with our customers and partners and building the tools that make it easier for
scientists to ask global-scale questions of large data sets, then present those results in applications
that support environmental monitoring, forecasting, planning, and attribution. We have now launched
the Planetary Computer, with more than 20 petabytes of environmental science data from dozens of
sources, including Sentinel-2, Landsat 8, and several NOAA programs, which are now freely available for
use by the conservation community. Some examples of applications from our global partners include
CarbonPlan’s forest risk mapping tool and Development Seed’s AI-accelerated land mapping platform.
23 strategic partnerships with needed to safeguard governmental organizations,

key platforms using Microsoft critical ecosystem services individuals, and the private
Azure to provide conservation infrastructure to accelerate sector to protect and restore
and sustainability services. measuring and monitoring critical ecosystems.
of ecosystems, including
• Through our partnerships with
digital tools and broadband Our partnerships
the Nature Conservancy and
connectivity, to help collect,
the National Fish and Wildlife
integrate, and make publicly • Microsoft partnered with Impact
Federation, we have invested
available data and real-time Observatory and Esri to
in more than 15,000 acres of
insight into the health of our produce a high-resolution
land protection projects as part
ecosystems. global land cover map, available
of Microsoft’s commitment to
through both Esri’s Living
permanently protect more land • Infrastructure to accelerate
Atlas of the World and
than we use. measuring and monitoring
Microsoft’s Planetary Computer.
of ecosystems, including
• Microsoft has planted hundreds
digital tools and broadband • The Commonwealth Scientific
of acres of native woodland
connectivity to help collect, and Industrial Research
across Ireland, restoring native
integrate, and make publicly Organization (CSIRO),
forests for local populations and
available data and real-time Australia’s national science
sequestering thousands of tons
insight into the health of our agency, signed a partnership
of carbon emissions.
ecosystems. agreement with Microsoft to
• We are using our voice to harness artificial intelligence
• Public land and water
advance policy that will help the and other digital technologies
conservation, including
world protect ecosystems and to accelerate critical research
government funding for the
biodiversity, by promoting: and ambitious projects
acquisition and maintenance
targeting advances in areas
• National ecosystem of land and water for
including illegal fishing
assessments, which help conservation, recreation, and
prevention, removing plastic
governments understand natural preservation; and
from rivers, and smarter
what is happening in a public-private partnerships
farming.
country’s natural environment that encourage and facilitate
and what actions are investments by non-

• Leveraging technology and • The Healthy Country • Through an AI for Earth grant,
direct funding, Microsoft AI for Partnership in Kakadu National NCX, formerly SilviaTerra,
Earth grants support innovative Park is a pioneering program developed a high-resolution
approaches to conservation that brings together Kakadu national forest inventory with
efforts. For example, Traditional Owners and timber, habitat, and carbon
geographical information Indigenous rangers, CSIRO, estimates for every acre in the
systems specialist Ketty Adoch Microsoft, Parks Australia, continental United States. NCX
reinforces conservation efforts the University of Western is now working with Microsoft
in Uganda by applying machine Australia, and Charles Darwin to demonstrate the viability and
learning tools on Microsoft University. Under the direction effectiveness of a data-driven,
Azure to analyze aerial imagery of Indigenous Traditional technology-enabled market
of the landscape. Owners and rangers, drones for small, private landowner
capture video footage in carbon.
• Microsoft’s AI for Earth program
Kakadu National Park, and the
and the Group on Earth • Microsoft and SpaceX
data is collected, labeled, and
Observations Biodiversity announced a partnership that
interpreted using a combination
Observation Network (GEO would marry the tech leader ’s
of Indigenous knowledge,
BON) secretariat awarded Azure computing system with
Microsoft AI, data visualization,
$1 million in grants to help the space company’s Starlink
and scientific research. The
advance efforts to monitor satellite internet service.
models allow rangers to
Earth’s biodiversity and create Through Starlink, SpaceX plans
regularly survey large areas
useful measurements required to use thousands of satellites
that are difficult to access, and
for the study, reporting, and to provide high-speed internet
remove the need for people to
management of biodiversity anywhere on Earth. Microsoft
review thousands of hours of
change that inform conservation Azure will connect those
video.
decisions across the globe. satellites to cloud storage.
For more initiatives related to SDG 15, see our efforts to employ technology to help farmers grow
more crops sustainably and to use water more efficiently (SDGs 2 and 6), replace water consumption
in water-stressed areas where we operate (SDG 6), invest in clean energy and innovative sustainable
technologies (SDGs 7 and 13), reduce waste and perform life cycle assessments of our products’
environmental impacts (SDG 12), and achieve carbon negativity while reducing the environmental
footprint of our operations, products, and services (SDG 13).

%
rify
Our progress to date
ats for
cies
d by
e to
els.
Ecosystems are threatened or in decline.
700
Grew the AI for Earth community to
Protect
Established partnerships with The
over 700 AI for Earth grantees in more Nature Conservancy and the National
than 100 countries around the world, Fish and Wildlife Foundation to fulfill
including 17 strategic partnerships with our commitment to protect more land
key platforms using the Azure cloud than we use by 2025.
to provide conservation and
sustainability services.
Supported passage of the Great
10PB
American Outdoors Act, which
Microsoft directly advocated for
throughout the legislative process.
On-boarded 10 petabytes of
environmental and Earth observation
data to Azure that is now freely available
for use by the conservation community.

deployment times. Meanwhile, in new technology adoption. As

Chile, Colbún is fast-tracking the such it is key to making digital
digitization of its sprawling mining skills training accessible.
operations, helping it improve
analytics that make its production Central & Eastern Europe (CEE)
and operation processes more • Challenges in this part of the
sustainable. And in Peru, Minsur is world have mostly to do with
combining Microsoft Azure Video conveying the right messages to
Analyzer and Cognitive Services governments as to the benefits
Antony Cook on regional to make the visual control process these new technologies can
challenges facing Microsoft during water treatment at the provide. It takes a lot of effort
in upgrading industrial largest tin mine in the Western and goodwill to create a trusted
technology. Hemisphere more efficient and and transparent relationship—a
safe. relationship that derives from
What challenges has Microsoft the fact that we are there to
But, even with the shared
faced at the regional level support every organization to
commitment to finding
while working with customers, achieve more through the use
sustainability solutions, many
nonprofits, and governments of technology and to support
organizations simply cannot find
to fulfill SDG10.9—specifically, them to succeed in their goals.
the talent for implementing these
upgrading the technological • Greece: An example is the
new technologies. The level of
capabilities of industrial AI4CH project in ancient
digital skills and capabilities of
sectors? What opportunities can Olympia, which relates to
employees across our customers,
stakeholders realize to further a Global Cultural Heritage
nonprofits, and government
accelerate this goal? monument, a landmark of the
partners is simply not keeping
Across the world, the issues up with the pace of emerging cultural legacy of the Greek
that customers, governments, technologies. That is why we people. Understandably, there
and nonprofits face can often are focused on making digital were sensitivities in “marrying”
be varied and unique; but if skills training more accessible, the ancient Greek cultural
there is one area that they all committing ourselves to providing heritage with technology.
share a common passion, it’s free learning paths to millions of However, bold political forward
environmental sustainability. people, helping companies make thinking along with the close
Microsoft has an enormous skills-based hires, and partnering collaboration with experts from
opportunity—and indeed with universities to improve the the Greek Ministry of Culture
responsibility—to bring our teaching curriculum and upskilling led to working, developing, and
thought leadership, bold of teachers. soon landing this project, which
sustainability commitments, we hope will be a showcase of
Below are specific initiatives that the benefits of technological
and technology to assist all
Microsoft is taking on a regional applications in the field of
stakeholders and empower
basis. culture overall.
organizations to achieve their own
sustainability development goals. • The challenges Microsoft faces
Asia Pacific (APAC) when bringing innovation and
Some of the best examples
• Many businesses in this technological advancement
of our partnerships can be
region cannot find talent are in fact connected with
found in Latin America, where
for implementing new the level of digital skills and
pioneering customers such as
technologies. This skill shortage capabilities of employees across
Ecolab in Brazil are using the
is rife for emerging technologies our customers, nonprofits, and
Microsoft cloud platform to
such as AI. A lack of thought government partners. One
develop predictive risk models
leadership and risk-taking at the can have an amazing idea or
for the health of water systems
higher echelons further inhibits project, but without digital skills,
with reduced development and

one is not able to land it on the placing third in the number mining operations, helping it
“other side.” Therefore, we focus of certified people in the CEE improve analytics that make
on improvement of digital skills region (academia, nonprofits, its production and operation
in all age categories (especially government, partners, processes more sustainable;
during the coronavirus business customers). Ecopetrol (Colombia), leveraging
pandemic, when many people our cloud solutions to shorten
have lost their jobs and, without Latin America (LATAM) the development cycle of crude
digital skills, are not competitive • Sustainability is a hot topic in oil exploration; and Minsur
in the labor market). LATAM, but organizations across (Peru), combining Microsoft
sectors are still unclear on what Azure Video Analyzer and
• Microsoft is running global
their specific role should be Cognitive Services to make the
skilling initiatives and localized
in tackling the sustainability visual control process during
programs in many countries:
challenges we are facing. Very water treatment at the largest tin
• Improvement of Education/ few companies are bringing the mine in the Western Hemisphere
Educating Teachers: We’re environmental conversation to more efficient and safe.
partnering with Slovak the forefront of the discussion
universities to enhance Middle East & Africa (MEA)
and have started conversations
teachers’ curricula through a with Microsoft to obtain • Sound digital policies
project focusing on educating technological and consulting and a stable, harmonized
teachers to improve their support on this front. We have regulatory environment are
digital skills and pass them on an enormous opportunity to critical to enable Africa’s
to their students. bring our thought leadership, people and businesses to
• Driving Digital Skills Project bold sustainability commitments, realize the full potential of
with Labor/Trade Unions: and technology not only innovative technologies and
Microsoft is cooperating to our customers, but also to participate fully in global
with trade unions in the to all stakeholders at large, digital technology. Freedom to
Czech Republic to design a on the types of things that transfer data across borders, the
custom-made digital skills organizations can do to moratorium on customs duties,
program to educate more achieve their own sustainability regulatory harmonization, and
than 60 union leaders, who development goals. Pioneering cybersecurity are all critical
will become ambassadors LATAM customers in this regard elements of digital policies that
of digital upskilling across include Ecolap (Brazil), using foster trustworthy, inclusive, and
the community and spread Azure and MLOps to develop equitable digital transformation
awareness of the benefits predictive risk models for the leading to economic growth.
of joining Microsoft online health of water systems with There is an opportunity for
courses for free to get reduced development and stakeholders to coalesce on
certified. deployment times; Colbún joint policy positions on the
(Chile), using Power BI to topics that are most pertinent
• Skilling Initiative: During the
automate the calculation of for the African people
coronavirus pandemic we
its carbon footprint; Codelco and to support the digital
had 27,000 participants in our
(Chile), fast-tracking the transformation of the continent.
skilling initiative in Croatia,
digitization of its sprawling
We have an enormous opportunity to bring our thought

leadership, bold sustainability commitments, and technology not only
to our customers, but also to all stakeholders at large ....

SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
SDG 17:
Partnerships for the Goals
Making meaningful progress promote the development and

on the SDGs will require dissemination of environmentally
governments and organizations sound technologies to developing
around the world to work nations. Also, target 17.8 identifies
together. Microsoft is leveraging the importance of information
its position as a global company and communications technology
and technology leader to drive for capacity building in least-
cooperation and collective action developed nations.
around the SDGs. This goal also
includes a strong technology Our partnerships
component, and we consider our
technology-focused partnerships • In June 2021, the UK
government announced that
Microsoft has
to be of special significance to the
sustainable development agenda Microsoft will serve as the pledged to support the
in a digital-first world. Target tenth Principal Partner for the
2030 UN Sustainable
17.6 calls for enhanced North- 26th United Nations Climate
South cooperation on science, Change Conference of the Development
technology, and innovation Parties (COP26) in Glasgow Goals ….
knowledge. Target 17.7 aims to later this year. As a Principal

HIGHLIGHT
Microsoft is one of nine founding members of the Transform to Net Zero initiative, an innovative
partnership between major global companies to develop and deliver research, guidance, and
implementable roadmaps for eliminating carbon emissions. This first-of-its-kind partnership will focus on
enabling the business transformation needed to achieve net zero emissions across the entire value chain
no later than 2050. It also aims to drive broader change within industry, government, and society through
policy, innovation, and finance. The initiative is committed to sharing its findings and best practices,
helping other companies along on their own journeys to carbon reduction. Finally, recognizing that
poor and marginalized groups bear the greatest impact of climate change, the partnership will focus on
opportunities for just and sustainable transition to net zero carbon emissions.
Partner, Microsoft will support academia, and civil society, in one of the first signatories
the delivery of a successful and addition to industry experts, to to and is one of the most
ambitious COP26, alongside identify policies and pragmatic prominent supporters of
SSE, ScottishPower, NatWest opportunities for digital the Paris Call for Trust and
Group, National Grid, Sky, technologies to accelerate the Security in Cyberspace and
Sainsbury’s, Hitachi, Reckitt, and Sustainable Development Goals. its nine principles to promote
GSK. responsible behavior by all
• Microsoft is demonstrating
actors online. In 2021, the
• Microsoft will collaborate with the potential to use digital
French Government launched
the Internet Governance Forum technology in private-sector
six Paris Call working groups
Secretariat on a capacity- collaborations, including on
to leverage its community of
building workshop series in the the international human rights
supporters to live out the vision
areas of digital transformation front, through its landmark
of the agreement. Microsoft
and cybersecurity, which will partnership with the United
is proud to be co-chairing the
focus on serving developing Nations Office of the High
working group tasked with
countries. In its announcement, Commissioner for Human
advancing international norms.
the IGF Secretariat stated Rights (OHCHR). Specifically,
that the capacity-building the partnership developed • In May 2019, Microsoft
workshops are “driven by the Rights View—an information joined four other leading
call in the UN Decade of Action dashboard allowing the technology companies to
to partner for the Sustainable OHCHR staff to aggregate sign the Christchurch Call,
Development Goals (SDG)” and large quantities of internal which commits to nine steps
will support stakeholders by and external data on specific that expand on the Global
focusing on themes covered in countries and the types of rights Internet Forum to Counter
SDG 9 and SDG 16. violations in real time. Terrorism (GIFCT) and builds
on our other initiatives with
• Microsoft is a co-convener
Our support government and civil society
of the 2030 Digital Fasttrack
to prevent the dissemination of
Studios (DFS) in Geneva,
• In November 2018, French terrorist and violent extremist
Switzerland, alongside the
President Emmanuel Macron content. Microsoft and other
UNESCO Geneva Liaison Office
launched a global effort among leading technology companies
and the Graduate Institute
governments, businesses, and published nine steps that they
Geneva’s Centre for Trade and
civil society to protect and will take to address the abuse of
Economic Integration. The 2030
defend against threats to the technology and prevent its use
DFS convenes representatives
digital infrastructure that runs to spread terrorist and violent
from the United Nations
our daily lives. Microsoft was extremist content.
agencies, permanent missions,

• Microsoft President Brad • Microsoft has pledged (OECD) partnership Business

Smith joined more than 40 to support the 2030 UN for Inclusive Growth, a public-
international leaders calling on Sustainable Development private alliance aimed at
the world’s governments to take Goals, promoting and addressing inequalities and
immediate and decisive action supporting innovative solutions creating opportunities.
to prevent and stop cyberattacks from our community in the
that target the healthcare #BuildFor2030 campaign. For more initiatives related to
sector and the authorities that
• Microsoft is a member of the SDG 17, see our partnerships
are providing critical care and listed under each of the other
Organisation for Economic Co-
guidance during the ongoing SDGs.
operation and Development
coronavirus
Overview Carbon
pandemic.
Water Waste Ecosystems Appendix 70
Appendix A
Commitments
Our history 2012–2019 Our commitments 2020–2050
2030
Become
carbon negative
2025 Find out
more here
Operate with 100%

renewable energy
2012 2016 2017 2018 2019 Find out 2030 2050
more here
100% carbon neutral Zero-waste campus AI for Earth launch Supplier carbon Carbon fee raised to $15 Become zero waste Remove all
certification engagement in China Find out historical emissions
Internal carbon fee
instituted
LEED Gold certification
for new datacenters
launched
Water replenishment
goal set
2025 more here Find out
more here
Net zero potable water
Silicon Valley campus
Protect more
groundbreaking
land than Microsoft uses
Find out 2030
more here
Become water positive

Find out
more here

© 2021 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. This document is for informational purposes only. Microsoft makes no warranties,
express or implied, with respect to the information presented here.

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Microsoft and the United Nations

Sustainable Development Goals

We support the Sustainable Development Goals

Brad Smith, President and Vice-Chair, Microsoft Corporation

(Updated: Paperback, September 2021)

Microsoft Sustainable Development Goals 2021 Report 1

Q&A: Dr. Anshu Sharma, Cofounder, SEEDS 36

Spotlight: New UN SDG Advocates 2021 3 SDG 1: No Poverty 38

Q&A: Dr. Samira Asma, Assistant Director-General, Division of Data,

Authors 8 SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being 47

Our reflections on technology and innovation

SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation 55

SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy 59

Q&A: Teresa Hutson, Vice President, Technology and

SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure 66

Section One: The SDGs we focus on 11 SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities 69

Q&A: Antony Cook, Corporate VP and Deputy General Counsel,

SDG 4: Quality Education 14 SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities 76

Q&A: Charlotte Petri Gornitzka, Deputy Executive Director,

Q&A: Lucas Joppa, Chief Environmental Officer,

SDG 13: Climate Action 24 SDG 15: Life on Land 88

Q&A: Tom Burt, Corporate Vice President, Customer

Microsoft Sustainable Development Goals Report 2021 2

Spotlight: New UN SDG

On 17 September 2021, United Advocates ahead of the 76th UN

Microsoft Sustainable Development Goals Report 2021 3

Spotlight: Brad Smith appointed

On 17 September 2021, United “The scale and size of the

Microsoft Sustainable Development Goals Report 2021 4

Co-chaired by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo of Ghana

and Prime Minister Erna Solberg of Norway,

the United Nations Secretary-General’s SDG Advocates

are prominent citizens and world leaders who

mobilize action to deliver the SDGs by 2030.

Sustainable Development Goals Advocates, September 2021

In his new role as SDG Advocate, Mr. Smith will focus on

Source: UN SDG Advocates Press Statement, 17 September 2021 https://www.unsdgadvocates.org/news/un-secretary-general-appoints-four-new-sdg-advocates-1

Microsoft Sustainable Development Goals Report 2021 5

Microsoft has participated in team to deepen our relationship

Microsoft Sustainable Development Goals Report 2021 6

For the second year in a row, we aim to

Microsoft Sustainable Development Goals Report 2021 7

Jean-Yves Art Daniel Akinmade Emejulu

Corporate, External, & Legal Affairs (CELA)

Microsoft Sustainable Development Goals Report 2021 8

1. Support inclusive 3. Commit to a with technology if people do

Microsoft Sustainable Development Goals Report 2021 9

Our reflections on technology

In this paper, we focus on what we consider to be our unique contributions:

Microsoft Sustainable Development Goals Report 2021 10

Microsoft Sustainable Development Goals Report 2021 11

Microsoft Philanthropies in action

Microsoft Philanthropies has collectively and in partnership

Microsoft Sustainable Development Goals Report 2021 12

Microsoft Sustainable Development Goals Report 2021 13

Microsoft empowers education Our programs

Microsoft Sustainable Development Goals Report 2021 15

Microsoft Sustainable Development Goals Report 2021 16

Partnerships and scalable solutions

Charlotte Petri Gornitzka

Microsoft Sustainable Development Goals Report 2021 17

In the Sustainable Development Leveraging a company’s financial are impacted; identification of

In the 2030 Agenda for Leveraging