Microsoft has unveiled innovative data and AI tools aimed at supporting companies in achieving their environmental sustainability objectives.
During the digital event titled ‘This is AI… for Sustainability,’ Satish Thomas, the corporate vice president of Microsoft Industry Clouds, introduced the audience to Microsoft Fabric and Microsoft Cloud for Sustainability. He described these offerings as comprehensive solutions catering to analytics requirements.
A highlight of the announcement was the introduction of enhanced sustainability features within Microsoft Fabric, a cloud-based service platform that aggregates business data. These features are designed to expedite organizations’ journey towards sustainability by offering a pre-built ESG (environmental, social, and governance) data model, integration options, and reporting tools. Thomas emphasized that these tools enable the establishment of a unified data repository, with Microsoft’s cloud technology facilitating a seamless and secure integration of services.
Further, Microsoft is now previewing advanced capabilities in its Microsoft Sustainability Manager, a component of Microsoft Cloud for Sustainability. This tool aids companies in tracking, reporting, and minimizing their environmental footprint concerning emissions, water, and waste. The preview includes Copilot, which leverages generative AI and natural language processing to quickly generate insights and draft reports on sustainability. Additionally, the platform’s intelligent insights offer a more in-depth analysis of emission calculations, highlighting areas needing more accurate data and pinpointing opportunities for both immediate and long-term improvements.
ALT text: “Microsoft Sustainability Manager’s AI tools spotlight critical sustainability metrics and necessary actions.”
The AI-driven features of Microsoft Sustainability Manager also support scenario analysis, allowing companies to evaluate various operational scenarios and their environmental impacts. An example of these capabilities in action is provided by Södra, Sweden’s largest forest-management association. Christian Brolin, the association’s chief digital officer, shared how these new features have streamlined their processes, enabling quicker access to data and aiding in the identification of the most effective sustainability initiatives for their goals.
Additionally, Microsoft has announced the full availability of the ESG Value Chain Solution within Microsoft Sustainability Manager. This tool aims to simplify the process of gathering data from suppliers and managing this information efficiently. Melanie Nakagawa, Microsoft’s chief sustainability officer, highlighted that this solution offers real-time updates on carbon footprint data, significantly reducing the time spent on data cleanup. “Having a well-structured ESG dataset is crucial,” she stated.
Shelly Blackburn, vice president of sustainability commercial solutions at Microsoft, pointed out that the essence of ESG success involves addressing data complexity, navigating pressures, and strategizing for the future. The newly introduced data and AI enhancements are designed to tackle these challenges by providing unified data for informed decision-making.
The presentation also touched upon the Azure Carbon Optimization feature, currently in preview, and the role of Microsoft Cloud for Sustainability partners in assisting companies with sustainable operations.
Thomas also acknowledged the contribution of Microsoft partners in enhancing corporate sustainability efforts. These updates are further elaborated in a blog post by Thomas on Microsoft’s website, where he affirms that these innovations are set to transform organizational commitments into tangible sustainability advancements.
