I chose to research Meta using the sustainability report that they provided for 2023. (https://sustainability.fb.com/2023-sustainability-report/)
Meta has significantly reduced its operational greenhouse gas emissions, achieving a 94% reduction from 2017 and reaching net zero emissions in 2020. This was accomplished mainly by transitioning to 100% renewable energy for its data centers and offices. Meta has also become one of the largest corporate renewable energy buyers globally, with a portfolio of over 10,000 MW of contracted projects.
Meta is also working to integrate principles of circular economy and resource efficiency across its operations and products. In its data centers, this includes efforts to extend the lifespan of hardware components through reuse and refurbishment. Meta has developed rigorous testing and validation processes to ensure the reliability of reused server components and has successfully deployed racks with reused parts that have performed well for two years. The company has also extended the average lifespan of its servers from four to five years, reducing the need for new hardware. On the consumer product side, Meta is increasing the use of post-consumer recycled plastics and metals in its VR devices and promoting device repair and refurbishment to extend product life.
The company is implementing various sustainability measures in its data centers, which account for most of Meta’s energy usage, water withdrawal, and GHG emissions. These include boosting energy and water efficiency through advanced cooling technologies, integrating circular economy principles like server component reuse, and achieving LEED Gold certification for all new data center construction. In 2022, Meta tested increasing data hall temperatures, reducing water usage by over 50% in pilot locations.
To address value chain emissions, Meta is engaging suppliers representing at least two-thirds of its spending to set science-aligned GHG reduction targets and adopt renewable energy by 2026. It also conducts lifecycle assessments of its hardware products and data center components to identify carbon hotspots and implement reduction strategies like material substitution.
Meta’s apps and services are also leveraged for environmental education and action. The Climate Science Center, launched in partnership with leading climate organizations, provides users factual resources and practical advice. Meta is working to combat climate misinformation through fact-checking partnerships, warning labels, and algorithmic demotion of false content. It has also launched initiatives like the Climate Misinformation Grant and the Climate Science Literacy Initiative.
Recognizing that water is a critical and scarce resource, Meta has set a goal to restore more water than it consumes by 2030. Since 2017, it has funded 25 water restoration projects in watersheds where it operates, with a projected 1.9 billion gallons restored annually once completed. In 2022, these projects returned 621 million gallons to high-water-stress regions.
Other key partnerships and collaborations include:
- Meta’s membership in the UN CEO Water Mandate and the Water Resilience Coalition.
- A $925 million commitment alongside other tech companies to accelerate carbon removal technologies.
- Funding for reforestation projects with groups like the National Indian Carbon Coalition.
- Support for improving global climate change opinion surveys with Yale University.
