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IBM: Annual GHG Emissions (2017 – 2020, Tonnes CO2 Equivalent)

  • In 2020, IBM's total GHG emissions decreased by 28% on an annual basis
  • IBM’s Scope 2 emissions accounted for 60% of its total GHG emissions in 2020
  • IBM invested $12.4 million of capital to reduce GHG emissions

Global warming places life on earth in danger, posing a threat to fresh water, food, and energy supplies. Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are the primary cause of global warming. Carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and nitrogen oxides (NOx) are GHGs produced by the combustion of oil, fossil fuels, and other sources.

The technology and communication industry accounts for approximately 2% to 3% of worldwide greenhouse gas emissions. GHG emissions are produced by industry operations such as energy consumption, product manufacture, and product use. Digital technology, according to the International Telecommunication Union, has the potential to reduce world carbon emissions by roughly 17%. Technology companies can help other industries improve their operational efficiency, cutting GHG emissions.

International Business Machines Corp (IBM) is a provider of information technology (IT) products and services. In 2020, the technology company reported total GHG emissions of around 970,241 tonnes CO2 equivalents (tCO2eq), down 28% from 2019.

Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions are the three categories of GHG emissions. Scope 1 emissions result from sources that the firm owns or controls, such as fuel burnt by the company's vehicles. Indirect GHG emissions from the generation of purchased energy, such as the electricity needed to power the company's facilities, are referred to as Scope 2. Scope 3 emissions refer to the company's other indirect emissions beyond the company’s direct operations and occur in the company’s value chain, including upstream and downstream activities, such as the production of packaging, product transportation, and product use.

Scope 2 emissions account for most of IBM’s overall GHG emissions, accounting for 60% of total GHG emissions (584,627 tCO2eq) in 2020. In 2020, the company's Scope 1 emissions fell by 8% and Scope 2 emissions have decreased by 12%.

IBM invested $12.4 million of capital while spending $61.4 million in operating expenses in 2020 to build, maintain, and operate its international environmental protection infrastructure.

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