Microsoft supports organisations in their sustainability mission

Sustainability is high on the agenda of an increasing number of organisations. Together with its partners, Ctac helps customers achieve their sustainability goals. But what exactly are these partners doing to make the world greener? We asked Microsoft.

Seda Akdemir has been with Microsoft for over eleven years, where she has held various positions. Since August 2022, Akdermir has been a Partner Technology Strategist. In this role, she looks at how customers can achieve more with Microsoft’s technological solutions and partners. Akdemir also utilises her broad knowledge of technology in the field of sustainability. ‘This knowledge makes me more aware of the various sustainability steps you can take. With my technological knowledge, I also feel responsible for informing the people in my environment about all the possible technical sustainability options.’

The need to become more sustainable is growing

Akdemir sees the need to become more sustainable growing by the day. It is a theme that is becoming increasingly relevant, especially for the current generation. ‘The current generation does not want to work for an organisation that does little or nothing about sustainability,’ she says. ‘And consumers also prefer to support companies that are actively committed to sustainability.’ As the mother of a six-year-old daughter, Akdemir has first-hand experience of the current generation. This influences her view of sustainability. ‘As a mother, I know it is my responsibility to make sustainability a permanent part of our daily lives,’ she says. ‘Keeping our energy consumption low, for example, is a basic rule in our home.’

Embracing sustainability as a core component

The fact that Akdemir makes the link to sustainability in her position fits in seamlessly with the fact that this theme is increasingly prominent on the management agenda of companies. This is also the case at Microsoft, which has embraced sustainability as a core part of its business strategy for a number of years. ‘Microsoft wants to significantly reduce its carbon footprint and have a positive impact on the environment,’ explains Akdemir. ‘We want to be carbon neutral by 2030. Microsoft is taking concrete steps to achieve that goal. For example, by investing in renewable energy and improving energy efficiency in our business premises and data centres.’

Transparent source of inspiration

Microsoft believes it is important to be transparent about its sustainability policy. By being open about its affairs, Microsoft hopes to be a source of inspiration for its customers. Akdemir: ‘We want to help our customers achieve their sustainability goals. And that starts with drawing up a sustainability strategy in which you set clear and realistic goals within a well-thought-out time frame. It is then important that you share your sustainability strategy with stakeholders such as employees and customers. If they do not recognise the necessity of it, it will never get off the ground.’

Akdemir is well aware that sustainability is currently the biggest challenge for companies. ‘It is not easy. It is best to see this issue as a long journey. A journey that will ultimately benefit your company,’ she says. ’That should also be the approach. See it as a marketing challenge, in which you approach sustainability initiatives as a way to make a profit. For example, by realising innovative sustainability solutions that strengthen your market position.’

A richly filled solution portfolio

Microsoft is happy to help companies become more sustainable. To make that mission a success, it can draw on a broad portfolio. Consider, for example, Microsoft Cloud for Sustainability, which supports companies in making their IT infrastructure more sustainable, operating in a greener way and also ensuring greater transparency and sustainability in the supply chain.

In addition to Microsoft Cloud for Sustainability, the Microsoft Azure and Microsoft 365 Dashboards for Impact Emissions can also offer a solution. These allow you to see exactly what the CO2 impact of your cloud usage is and how much CO2 emissions you can prevent in the future.

Awareness is the keyword

Microsoft offers solutions that help companies become more sustainable, but for this to happen companies must already be on the sustainability track themselves. The key word for sustainability is awareness. Akdemir sees a major role for partners such as Ctac in this area. ‘On the one hand, Ctac is very good at supporting customers in the implementation of solutions that contribute to sustainability. On the other hand, it can make the urgency of becoming more sustainable visible and motivate customers to get started. For example, by sharing success stories and promoting sustainability initiatives, but also by joining forces in sustainability projects.’

By emphasising the importance of collaboration and calling for awareness, Akdemir aptly summarises the first step towards sustainability. She fervently hopes that organisations will actually take up this theme. ‘Sustainability is more than just a term you can use to show off. By taking concrete steps in this area, you also really add value.’