• Net Zero Emissions: Meta has maintained net zero emissions since 2020 and aims for net zero across its value chain by 2030.
• Water Restoration Efforts: Meta’s 18 projects have restored 1.5 billion gallons of water in high and medium-stress areas.
• Renewable Energy Leadership: Meta is a leading corporate buyer of renewable energy, with over 11.7 GW contracted globally.

Meta’s Commitment to Sustainability

In its 2024 Sustainability Report, Meta reaffirms its commitment to creating a sustainable future. The company has been at the forefront of environmental initiatives, focusing on reducing its carbon footprint and promoting renewable energy. Since 2020, Meta has maintained net zero emissions across its global operations, primarily by matching 100% of its electricity use with renewable energy.

“Since 2020, we have maintained net zero emissions in our global operations,” said Rachel Peterson, Vice President of Infrastructure Data Centers. “We reduced our emissions by 94% from a 2017 baseline, primarily by matching 100% of the electricity use of our data centers and offices with renewable energy.“

Meta’s efforts extend beyond reducing carbon emissions. The company has implemented 18 operational water restoration projects, returning 1.5 billion gallons of water to high and medium water-stress regions. This is part of Meta’s broader goal to restore more water than it consumes by 2030.

Pioneering Renewable Energy Use

Meta has established itself as a leader in renewable energy procurement, with over 11.7 GW of contracted renewable energy, making it one of the largest corporate buyers globally. This commitment is not just about reducing operational emissions but also about driving the transition to renewable energy across various regions.

“Our new data centers will be optimized for AI, supporting liquid-cooled hardware and a high-performance network,” Peterson added. “We are designing our data centers to be future-flexible while considering the short- and long-term impacts on our decarbonization efforts.“

Collaboration for Climate Solutions

Meta understands that achieving a zero-carbon future requires collaboration across industries. The company is partnering with sustainability experts, researchers, utilities, nonprofits, and other organizations to develop innovative solutions for a climate-resilient future. Initiatives like the Zero Emissions | Reliability Optimized Grid Initiative (ZEROgrid) aim to foster increased corporate climate investments and enhance grid reliability.

“Meta believes sustainability is about more than operating responsibly; it is an opportunity to support the communities we are part of and have 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 enable us to influence the future of decarbonization, the expansion of renewable energy, and the integrity of climate solutions.“

Looking Ahead: Challenges and Commitments

Despite the progress, Meta acknowledges the challenges ahead, particularly in reaching net zero value chain emissions by 2030. The company remains committed to its science-based emissions reduction targets and continues to work towards sustainable climate solutions in collaboration with various stakeholders.

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“Our approach to reach our goal will evolve over time as we transform our business and explore climate solutions,” Peterson emphasized. “This report details more collaboration examples, highlights our progress in 2023, and looks to the challenges facing us in 2024 and beyond.”

Meta’s 2024 Sustainability Report showcases the company’s ongoing efforts to build a sustainable future, emphasizing the importance of collaboration, innovation, and a commitment to reducing environmental impact.

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