
July 21, 2021
Making Progress Real

Currently Dell is working to cut their factory and energy emissions by 50 percent before 2030. Most of that work is being done by ramping up their use of renewable energy and making their operations more efficient. But, as Motes points out, the majority of a company’s carbon footprint often comes from materials and products that the company purchases (upstream), and how their products are used and disposed of by customers (downstream). Working with suppliers, the company is committed to meeting an emissions reduction target of 60 percent per unit revenue by 2030. Downstream, they’ve reduced the energy intensity of their entire product portfolio by around 70 percent since they launched a first-of-its kind program to do so in 2013.
To achieve a net zero future, there’s no single way forward, but Dell’s broad approach is already showing results. “Technology innovation, increased adoption of renewable electricity, and climate science are all things that could increase the rate at which the world makes the net zero transition,” concludes Motes.

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