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Intel says road to net zero emissions is “incredibly challenging”

  • Intel reiterates its commitment to achieving net zero emissions by 2040 following promises made earlier this year.
  • Emissions from Intel are 75 percent lower than what they would be in the absence of investments and actions.
  • Lowering greenhouse gas emissions in the semiconductor sector requires immense collaboration.

Net zero is a term we’re expecting to hear a lot of in the next few years especially as members of the United Nations try to cut greenhouse gas emissions to zero by 2030.

It’s not just countries though with many companies working to reduce emissions by the next decade. One such company is Intel which hopes to be running on renewable energy for all of its operations by 2030.

Earlier this year, Intel chief executive officer Pat Gelsinger announced the firm’s plans to aggressively pursue an environmentally friendly business and following an update last week, things look to be on track for a 2040 timeline of net zero emissions.

However, Intel’s executive vice president and general manager of Technology Development, Ann Kelleher cautioned that there is a lot of work still to do and getting the firm to net zero emissions by 2040 is going to be incredibly challenging.

“I’m very proud that our cumulative greenhouse gas emissions over the past decade are nearly 75 percent lower than what they would be in the absence of investments and actions. To further reduce our emissions to net zero will be incredibly challenging,” says the VP.

Intel, however, realises that it can’t solve this problem alone.

“At Intel, achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions across our operations requires immense internal and external collaboration, and significant innovation and investments within our operations,” explains Keyvan Esfarjani, executive vice president, chief global operations officer and general manager of Manufacturing, Supply Chain and Operations at Intel.

It’s not only about emissions, but also the chemicals Intel makes use of which can damage the environment. This extends beyond the factory floor to ewaste. With ewaste becoming a serious problem, the toxic chemicals used in the manufacturing process and that remain in the chips needs to be addressed. To that end, Intel says it is working with peers in the semi-conductor industry to research and develop greener chemicals.

While Intel has a long road ahead of it, the firm has to start making headway in its quest toward relying solely on renewable energy. In 2021, 80 percent of Intel’s operations around the globe were running on renewable energy whole in the US, Europe, Israel and Malaysia.

As you might be aware, companies also have to do their best to reduce the carbon footprint of their products once the consumer has them, as well as ensure the supply chain isn’t undoing all the work Intel has done.

By 2030 Intel hopes to reduce the carbon footprint of platform reference designs by 30 percent. It also hopes to make Intel client and server microprocessors 10 times more efficient and reduce supply chain emissions by 30 percent.

“We’ve recently announced new manufacturing investments in the U.S. and Europe to meet the insatiable demand for semiconductors. We’re not slowing down on any of our sustainability commitments with this growth. Our new facilities will be built to LEED standards and we’re incorporating energy efficiency into the design of our factories,” Esfarjani explains.

Things look to be on track as regards Gelsinger’s commitments made earlier this year, but it’s always good for a company to show accountability before others come asking for an update.

[Source – Intel]

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