Click date: Microsoft and Total hook up in net-zero emissions drive

French supermajor Total and technology giant Microsoft have teamed up in an effort to drive down their carbon emissions, with a tie-up on renewable energy power purchase agreements on the cards.

The strategic partnership, announced on Thursday, is in line with efforts by many oil and gas giants and other major industry players to reduce emissions in order to help arrest a rise in global temperatures.

As part of the collaboration, Paris-based Total will further leverage Microsoft’s digital platforms, while supporting the tech company’s sustainability objectives, which includes driving down the carbon footprint at its data centres.

Microsoft has committed to using 100% renewable energy by 2025, while Total is aiming to reach 35 gigawatts of renewable electrical capacity in that year – and nearly 100GW by 2030.

“Total will assist Microsoft to secure renewable energy through power purchase agreements (PPAs). A first PPA of 47 megawatts has been agreed for Microsoft’s Spanish operations,” Total said on Thursday.

Total’s target is to hit net-zero emissions by 2050, with an aim of renewables and electricity accounting for 40% of sales by that date.

At the end of last year, the company’s gross power generation capacity was around 12GW, of which 7GW was from renewable energy.

Microsoft is also looking to eliminate its dependency on diesel fuel by 2030, with Total, through its battery affiliate Saft, to support the tech giant in hitting this goal by allowing access to various battery technologies.

In return, Total said it will make further use of Microsoft’s Cloud platforms as it accelerates its information technology transformation.

The pair will also “explore and co-innovate on areas of collaboration around sustainability, further digital transformation and AI [artificial intelligence] solutions” to accelerate the transition to a net-zero emissions economy, Total said.

This will include the deployment of low-carbon and carbon-neutral technologies.

“Microsoft and Total are also working on emerging technologies critical to a net-zero pathway and digital solutions that can accelerate their adoption,” the French oil and gas giant said.

“The rapid development of Total and Microsoft in their areas of expertise brings many opportunities of co-operation for both companies, who are at the forefront of the fight against climate change, ”said Total chief executive, Patrick Pouyanne.

“We are committed to bringing our expertise by selling green electricity to support Microsoft in achieving its sustainability goals, and we’re pleased to rely on Microsoft’s cloud and AI solutions to accelerate our digital transformation.

“This is fundamental to drive progress towards a world with net-zero emissions”.

Microsoft chief executive Satya Nadella added: “We have an enormous opportunity to use advances in digital technology to reduce greenhouse emissions.”