What’s next in the fight against climate change? Last year was pivotal for efforts to tackle the crisis. A major Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report underscored the urgency of strong measures to cut greenhouse gas emissions, while the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference
What’s next in the fight against climate change? Last year was pivotal for efforts to tackle the crisis. A major Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report underscored the urgency of strong measures to cut greenhouse gas emissions, while the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference – also known as COP26 – increased global focus on the issue. As more and more countries, municipalities and companies pledge to meet net zero carbon emissions, we asked four Microsoft sustainability experts about the policy and technology developments they would like to see in the coming year. We caught up with: Amy Luers, Global Lead, Sustainability Science; Alberto Arribas Herranz, Europe Lead, Sustainability Science; Brandon Middaugh, Director, Climate Innovation Fund; and Elizabeth Willmott, Carbon Program Lead. Their interviews, conducted by email, have been edited for length. Amy Luers: I expect this year will mark a step change in how companies, investors and governments account for carbon in their financial and sustainability reports. Carbon accounting has long been constrained by poor data, inconsistent accounting standards and limited capacity. Fortunately, big changes are unfolding that will help to address many of these challenges. These include the advancing of universal standards such as the recently announced International Sustainability Standards Board, as well as the proliferation of new data streams from satellites such as MethaneSAT, and new cloud-based tools that facilitate the mainstreaming of carbon accounting, including those provided in Microsoft’s Cloud for Sustainability. Alberto Arribas Herranz: There is a lot of extremely interesting and useful research going on, but there are a couple of areas to highlight. There are still considerable uncertainties surrounding carbon sinks and sources from anthropogenic land use, such as agriculture and forestry, which represents about 25% of global emissions. We need improved observing systems to help better decision-making around land use in order to reduce climate change, protect against extreme events such as flooding and protect biodiversity. That includes using sensors and algorithms: Machine learning has an important role to play. Another interesting area is going to be material science, which can have a very positive impact in carbon reduction – for example, batteries for energy storage, or emissions-free cement. It can also help with carbon removal, including through new materials for efficient carbon capture. Brandon Middaugh: The most important climate technologies will be those that deliver both deep decarbonization and resilience. We are excited about emerging technologies in distributed energy, clean fuels and engineered carbon removal. Elizabeth Willmott: I am profoundly excited about the emerging circular economy – turning waste streams, such as carbon emissions and ocean plastics, into useful products. One example of this is the outer shell of the Microsoft Ocean Plastic Mouse, which is made from resin that contains plastic waste removed from oceans and waterways. With ingenuity and creative engineering, we can turn even asbestos into a carbon removal solution. To me, these solutions embody the principle of turning “lemons into lemonade” – exactly the mindset we need in this time of climate crisis. Luers: At COP26, the focus was on setting new climate targets and finalizing the rulebook for implementing the Paris Agreement.
