Meta has completed 18 operational water restoration projects, returning 1,5 billion gallons of water to regions of high and moderate water stress. This is part of Meta's wider goal to recover more water than it consumes by 2030. The company has also maintained net zero emissions in its global operations since 2020, primarily by matching 100% of its electricity consumption with renewable energy, it is clear from The 2024 Sustainability Report
“From 2020, we are maintaining net zero emissions in our global operations. We have reduced our emissions by 94% from our 2017 baseline, primarily by matching 100% of our data center and office electricity use with renewable energy,” said Rachel Peterson, vice president of data center infrastructure.
Meta has established itself as a leader in the procurement of renewable energy with over 11,7 GW of contracted renewable energy, making it one of the largest corporate buyers globally. This commitment is not only to reduce operational emissions, but also to drive the transition to renewable energy in various regions.
“Our new data centers will be optimized for AI, supporting liquid-cooled hardware and high-performance networking. We are designing our data centers to be future-proof, while considering the short- and long-term impacts on our decarbonization efforts,” adds Peterson.
Meta's partnerships
Meta emphasizes that achieving a zero-carbon future requires collaboration between industries. The company partners with sustainability experts, researchers, utilities, nonprofits and other organizations to develop innovative solutions for a climate-resilient future. Initiatives such as Zero Emission | The Optimized Grid Reliability Initiative (ZEROgrid) aims to encourage increased corporate climate investment and improve grid reliability.
“Meta believes that sustainability is more than operating responsibly; it's an opportunity to support the communities we're a part of and make a positive impact on the world,” said Blair Swedeen, Global Head of Net Zero and Sustainability, and Leslie Collins, Director of Sustainability. "Our size and scale allow us to influence the future of decarbonisation, the expansion of renewable energy and the integrity of climate solutions."
Challenges and commitments
Despite the progress, Meta recognizes the challenges ahead, especially to reach net zero emissions along the value chain by 2030.
“The challenge of meeting our sustainability goals given the increased demand for energy and resources driven by AI is not unique to Meta. And that will require major changes in the way companies like ours operate," Rachel Peterson is emphatic.
The company plans to reduce its Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 42% in 2031, taking 2021 as the base period. Meta also plans to enable at least two-thirds of its suppliers to set emission reduction targets by 2026 , as well as restore 200% of water in affected regions with high water stress and 100% of water in regions with medium water stress.
“Our approach to achieving our goal will evolve over time as we transform our business and explore climate solutions. This report details more examples of collaboration, highlights our progress in 2023, and looks at the challenges we face in 2024 and beyond," Peterson emphasized.
The report highlights the importance of collaboration, innovation and commitment to reducing environmental impact.