Aspects of the cloud also appeal to those with an interest in bringing more environmentally and eco-friendly products and services to the computing landscape. How cloud providers address sustainability is becoming a selling point for their offerings as society becomes increasingly concerned with the alarming effects of global warming.  

A Blueprint for Eco-friendly Computing 

Multiple factors come together to allow cloud computing vendors to offer more environmentally friendly or green products and services. The economies of scale involved in running large cloud data centers mean that the steps taken to make them eco-friendly directly impact their customers and society as a whole. Efficiencies and new procedures result in reduced energy expenditures for clients and less pollution for the world.  

The consolidation of hundreds or thousands of independent computing infrastructures into a cloud data center provides the blueprint for more sustainability. Rather than attempting to modify the way energy is generated and consumed by each customer, changes adopted by the vendor will reverberate throughout its client base. The carbon footprint of both vendors and multiple customers can be reduced simultaneously and effectively.  

Major Vendors’ Positions on Sustainability 

Let’s take a quick look at how three major cloud vendors are currently addressing sustainability. Companies considering moving to the cloud or changing providers may want the public relations benefits of opting for the greener choice when making their selection.  

• Amazon (AWS) - Amazon is perhaps taking the most aggressive actions related to sustainability in the cloud. The company is committed to powering all cloud operations with 100% renewable energy by 2025. They have consistently engaged in new solar and wind projects across the U.S. and Europe and are now the largest corporate buyer of renewable energy in the world. Its customers enjoy the knowledge that they are contributing to the reduction of fossil-fuel emissions by migrating to AWS. 

• Microsoft Azure - Microsoft is concentrating on four areas that impact local communities environmentally. The company is striving to reduce carbon emissions by switching to 100% renewable energy by 2025. They promise to replenish more water than they consume and produce zero waste in the communities housing its cloud data centers. Microsoft also pledges to engage in net-zero deforestation from new cloud-centric construction. 

• Google - Google claims to be carbon neutral today with a goal of running exclusively on carbon-free energy at all of its data centers by 2030. The company is building smarter, more efficient data centers with a focus on using and promoting sustainable supply chains. 

The issues driving the interest in sustainability are not going away. Cloud vendors and consumers can take a leading role in addressing the critical questions that society faces as it grapples with climate change.