"We will reduce carbon emissions, water usage, and waste"
[Asia Economy Reporter Shim Nayoung] Global companies such as Starbucks, Microsoft (MS), and BlackRock are declaring a 'war on carbon' and are increasingly joining the global effort to address climate change.
According to CNBC and other broadcasts on the 26th, Starbucks announced its "Commitment to a Resource-Friendly Future" on the 21st, which includes plans to reduce carbon emissions, water usage, and waste by about half by 2030. They stated they will expand eco-friendly menu options such as sandwiches with plant-based meat, use recyclable containers, and work to prevent desertification in coffee bean farming areas.
On the 16th, MS announced its goal to achieve "carbon negative" status by 2030. MS plans to operate offices and factories entirely on 100% renewable energy and electrify all work vehicles. Additionally, they will invest $1 billion over four years in a newly established "Climate Innovation Fund" to develop carbon removal technologies.
The world's largest asset management firm, BlackRock, also raised climate change response as a key issue for the new year. On the 14th, CEO Larry Fink stated in his annual letter that environmental sustainability will be a core objective in investment decisions. He declared that the company will not invest in firms with "high risk" related to environmental sustainability, such as coal producers.
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