Here is today’s sustainable IT services and climate tech news, research and analysis -- written for technology partners, green IT service providers, CIOs, chief sustainability officers (CSOs) and climate accounting professionals.
A. Sustainable IT, Talent, Partnerships and Green Tech Alliances
1. Did Microsoft Cancel Some Data Center Leases?: Microsoft has begun canceling leases for some datacenter capacity in the United States, TD Cowen reported, and the move may reflect concerns about whether Microsoft is building more AI computing than it will need over the long term, Bloomberg speculated. However, Microsoft refuted the TD Cowen report.
2. Apple Investments: Apple plans to spend and invest more than $500 billion in the U.S. over the next four years, and will the company expects to hire 20,000 new workers. The effort will include a new AI server manufacturing facility, set to open in 2026 in Houston, Texas. Apple also plans to add data center capacity in North Carolina, Iowa, Oregon, Arizona and Nevada. All Apple data centers leverage renewable energy, the company asserts. Apple and many other IT companies are developing on-shore manufacturing plans in a bid to avoid or minimize potential tariffs from the Trump administration.
3. Partnership - Cloud Software and Manufacturing: Seeq is promoting advanced analytics on AWS to boost manufacturing industry sustainability.
4. Executive Leadership - Software: Systrends has hired Workiva veteran April Brady as CEO. Systrends develops software that allows energy companies to comply with Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
(FERC) reporting requirements. At Workiva -- a major provider of ESG and carbon accounting software -- Brady most recently was Head of Energy, Utility, Renewable, & Public Sector Solutions.
5. Business Pivot: Jet.AI, a company that develops AI solutions for the aviation industry, is selling its aviation business and pivoting to developing data centers, Data Center Dynamics reported.
6. BP Abandons Renewable Energy Goals: BP's chief executive will scrap a target to increase renewable generation 20-fold by 2030, returning the focus to fossil fuels, as part of a strategy shift announced on Wednesday to tackle investor concerns over earnings, Reuters reported.
7. OpenAI Bans Malicious ChatGPT Users: OpenAI is banning accounts that misuse ChatGPT for surveillance and more, The Hacker News reported.
B. Sustainability M&A, Climate Tech Investments, Funding and Green IT Business Launches
Nothing to share here today. Check back tomorrow for updates in this area.
C. Regional and Global Sustainability Policies and News
1. United States - Trump Ending Climate Research: The Trump administration told US government scientists working on a vital global climate report to stop their work, the latest move to withdraw the US from global climate action and research, CNN Reported.
2. United States - Trump Cripples Wind Power Market: The president, who despises wind turbines, has paused federal permits and leasing for such projects, putting wind company plans in limbo, The Wall Street Journal reported.
3. United States - Potential Illinois Legislation: Keep an eye on Illinois HB 3673 -- the Climate Corporate Data Accountability Act. If the act gains approval, it would require Illinois businesses to report Scope 1, 2 and 3 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Similar legislation has emerged in California, Colorado, New Jersey and New York.
4. United States - Florida Solar Energy: Duke Energy Florida plans to build four new solar energy sites that are "expected to save customers $843 million over their service lifetimes," the company said.
5. Canada - Financial Services Regulations Delayed: Canada has delayed by three years a requirement for banks and insurance companies to report financed emissions, ESG Today reported.
6. European Union - CSRD Compliance Changes: The European Commission plans to cut back the number of companies facing EU sustainability reporting requirements, as part of its drive to cut red tape for businesses, Reuters reported.
7. European Union - Policy Change?: The European Commission will propose exemptions for "the vast majority" of companies covered by the European Union's carbon border levy on the grounds that they produce only 1% of emissions in the scheme, a draft proposal showed, Reuters said.
8. India - Carbon Market Strategy: India plans to launch a Carbon Market by 2026 or so, PSU Watch reported. Under the program, companies that use fossil fuels or emit carbon dioxide will need to buy carbon credits, and those that use renewable energy can gain and sell carbon credits, the report said.
D. Sustainable IT and Green Technology Conference Calendar
- Green Events & Innovations Conference (GEI) 2025 (February 25, London, United Kingdom)
- Intersolar North America 2025 (February 25-27, San Diego, California)
- London Student Sustainability Conference (February 26, London, United Kingdom)
- Green Schools Conference 2025 (March 3-4, Orlando, Florida)
- North Dakota Reclamation Conference 2025 (March 4-5, Watford City, North Carolina)
- Complete Calendar of Sustainability Conferences
E. Previous Updates & Future News
- Future Updates: If you have news to share then please email me the details.
- Did You Miss Yesterday's Daily Update?: Here is our previous sustainable IT, climate tech and renewable energy news for technology partners.
