Time to make tech fit for Europe

Digital technologies are a vital part of the EU’s green growth strategy. Businesses, governments and NGOs must work together to implement new technologies, innovative solutions and forward-thinking public policy that reflects collective vision of a more prosperous and sustainable tomorrow.

Achieving a green recovery requires setting ever-higher standards and working together to leverage individual efforts. For these reasons, in January 2020 Microsoft announced its own bold ambitions to shape a greener tomorrow. But this is, of course, a collaborative mission.

To succeed in transforming and meeting these ambitious goals, trusted partnerships are essential. Microsoft works with sustainability partners across Europe, whose dedication to reducing their environmental impact – through reducing energy consumption, process streamlining, or waste management, for example – is truly inspiring.

One of the partners is Danfoss, a Danish engineering company. Founded in 1933, Danfoss provides products and services for air conditioning, food cooling, building heating, gas compressors, and more. In 2002, Danfoss joined the United Nations Global Compact, committing to upholding 10 principles related to social and environmental responsibility. Not only does Danfoss produce high-quality products, but it does so in a way that helps decrease energy consumption and food waste.

In collaboration with Microsoft, Danfoss created a cloud based IoT solution providing food retailers with new ways to manage operations, by using a combination of sensors and data algorithms to realise above 30% and up to 40% net savings in energy consumption. The new solutions enable retailers to reduce food loss, energy consumption and optimize overall store performance.

With the European Green Deal, Europe has set up a clear path for achieving climate neutrality. Now it is up to all of us to follow through and join the journey. Only with collaboration, technological innovation and human ingenuity the world’s environmental challenges can be solved. For Microsoft, that means supporting a digital, green and inclusive economic recovery with technology that’s fit for Europe.