Intel Futher Invests in Net Zero Global Operations by 2040
Aside from being a global leader in semiconductor innovation, Intel has made a bold commitment to the environment too.
In April 2022, Intel pledged to reach net zero greenhouse gas emissions across its operations, known as Scope 1 and 2 emissions, before 2040.
Emissions in these areas have already decreased 43% from Intel’s 2019 baseline.
Intel’s worldwide approach to sustainability underpins its own commitment and signals a new era of sustainability in the technology sector.
Commitment to sustainable manufacturing
- 99% renewable energy is used across its operations globally
- 10.2 billion gallons of water have been saved
- 63% of Intel's manufacturing waste has been upcycled via reuse, recovery or recycling
With a “sustainable computing for a sustainable future” approach, Intel integrates eco-conscious methods throughout its semiconductor production, highlighting the critical role manufacturing plays in its sustainability ambitions.
“We are making noteworthy progress toward our environmental goals by focusing on sustainability in several key semiconductor manufacturing areas — electricity, water, waste, our value chain and alternative green chemistry solutions,” Intel says.
These focal points are essential as Intel strives for carbon-neutral computing and energy-efficient technology development.
“To reach our product environmental goals, we are taking a holistic approach to product sustainability,” the company says.
“We are innovating across our entire portfolio of products, platforms, software, and solutions to improve energy efficiency while reducing both our Scope 3 greenhouse gas emissions as well as our customers’ Scope 2 greenhouse gas emissions.”
Semiconductor Production Strategies
Intel's sustainability vision prominently features its semiconductor manufacturing operations. With the environmental footprint of chip production under scrutiny, Intel’s strategic roadmap aims to reduce its emissions while encouraging industry-wide climate action.
Serving as a sustainability leader, Intel supports other companies in meeting their environmental goals and regulatory obligations.
The company boasts impressive credentials in semiconductor manufacturing sustainability, including an A CDP Water Security rating, A- CDP rating in Climate Change and Supplier Engagement, and a 1 ISS rating in both Environment and Social Quality Score.
Intel’s former CEO Pat Gelsinger said: “The impact of climate change is an urgent global threat. Protecting our planet demands immediate action and fresh thinking about how the world operates."
"As one of the world's leading semiconductor design and manufacturing companies, Intel is in a unique position to make a difference not only in our own operations but in a way that makes it easier for customers, partners, and our whole value chain to take meaningful action too," he added.
Intel stands at just 1% away from its 100% renewable electricity goal by 2030 and remains water net positive in the US, Mexico, Costa Rica and India by restoring 110% of its freshwater usage.
This progress significantly contributes to its overall goal of achieving global net positive water by 2030.
Additionally, despite an increase in construction waste in 2023, Intel reduced its percentage of waste to landfill from 2022, now at just 6%, moving closer to its zero waste to landfill by 2030 target.
Furthering sustainability initiatives
Intel has outlined additional interim objectives aligned with its sustainability blueprint:
- Investing approximately US$300m in energy conservation aiming to save four billion cumulative KWhs
- Ensuring all new facilities adhere to US Green Building Council LEED energy-saving standards
- Initiating cross-industry R&D projects to explore greener chemicals and develop novel abatement technologies for manufacturing
These actions reflect Intel’s status as a leading voluntary corporate purchaser of green power, bolstered by nearly 100 alternative energy installations across 15 global campuses.
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