Microsoft introduced new data and AI solutions in its Cloud for Sustainability at its recent AI for Sustainability event. The new offerings will assist organizations transitioning from sustainability pledges to tangible sustainability progress.

New Data & AI Solutions

Microsoft Cloud for Sustainability is Microsoft’s cloud-based solution for assisting organizations in their journey toward environmental responsibility and sustainability. It’s a comprehensive platform that bridges the gap between sustainability pledges and progress.

Microsoft is expanding the solution’s capabilities to help organizations accelerate their sustainability efforts. This includes offering a range of new data and AI solutions that Microsoft hopes will help transform how enterprises approach and manage sustainability goals.

The new data and AI updates to the Microsoft Cloud for Sustainability include:

• Microsoft Fabric: First announced in May 2023, Microsoft Fabric is an end-to-end analytics SaaS platform. It consolidates an organization’s entire range of enterprise data, including critical ESG data. This platform enables teams to connect to data from any source, derive insights using AI-powered analytics tools, and implement these insights in day-to-day applications to drive action and improve decision-making processes.
• Sustainability Data Solutions in Microsoft Fabric: Now in preview, these solutions provide fast access to insights and facilitate sustainability progress. They include an out-of-the-box ESG data model, connectors, and reporting capabilities. By integrating ESG data with Microsoft Fabric, organizations can transform vast amounts of sustainability data into meaningful insights and actionable progress.
• Copilot in Microsoft Sustainability Manager: This feature, currently in preview, leverages powerful generative AI and natural language queries to provide faster insights from data. Organizations can ask Copilot questions, and it will analyze environmental data to identify reduction opportunities in areas such as carbon and water usage. It can also assist in drafting sustainability reports, thus reducing time and allowing resources to focus on other priorities.
• Intelligent Insights in Microsoft Sustainability Manager: Also in preview, this feature provides an integrated and interactive AI model for a deeper analysis of calculated emissions data. It helps organizations clean up their data, identify reduction opportunities, and make fine-tuned decisions based on historical trends and data anomalies.
• ESG Value Chain Solution: Now generally available, this solution simplifies data collection from suppliers and offers a seamless and secure process for managing supplier data. It enables organizations to conduct advanced analytics on ESG value chain data and find emissions reduction opportunities within their supply chain.

These new capabilities in the Microsoft Cloud for Sustainability platform should ease the burden for enterprises looking to make tangible progress in their sustainability journey. They offer enhanced efficiency and accuracy in decision-making and reporting and support new business models and growth opportunities focused on sustainability.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/stevemcdowell/2024/02/13/microsoft-cloud-for-sustainability-gains-data–ai-capabilities/?sh=b089a1d36d0f