According to Microsoft's 2026 sustainability report, published by GeekWire, the company's carbon emissions increased by 25% during 2025, reaching a total of 34 million metric tons, if selective interventions were not applied.
According to Microsoft's 2026 sustainability report, published by GeekWire, the company's carbon emissions increased by 25% during 2025, reaching a total of 34 million metric tons, if selective interventions were not applied.
The document indicates that this increase is primarily due to the expansion of data center infrastructure. Furthermore, it cited the corporate decision, made in February 2025, to cease the acquisition of 'non-additional and unbundled renewable energy certificates.'
The report itself acknowledges that sustainability strategies are failing to keep pace with the growing demand driven by artificial intelligence (AI). The document states that while AI infrastructure raises the need for energy, water, land, and materials, environmental solutions are not scaling at the necessary speed to meet this demand.
Years ago, Microsoft had set a goal to achieve a negative carbon balance by 2030, which implies emitting less carbon than is removed from the atmosphere. The 2025 result represents another setback in this journey, given that the 2024 sustainability report had already registered a similar increase in the company's greenhouse gases.
Microsoft is not the only one facing similar challenges. Google reported a 25% increase in its supply chain emissions, according to its own 2026 sustainability report. Amazon reported a 16% growth in the same period and mentioned in June that its data centers used 2.5 billion gallons of water in 2025, a volume the company claims is lower than what Microsoft consumed.
Olhar Digital contacted Microsoft seeking an official statement regarding the facts presented in the report.
A new report from the World Health Organization (WHO) has raised serious concerns regarding the issue of cancer. The report, titled 'Global Cancer Status in 2026,' states that approximately 20.6 million new cases of cancer are diagnosed worldwide each year, and about 10 million people die from this disease.
Calculating the average rate reveals that more than 27 thousand people die from cancer globally every day. The report warns that if steps are not taken to reduce incidence, the disease will spread rapidly, and by 2050, the number of new cases could increase from the current 20.6 million to approximately 35 million.
This report, prepared jointly by the WHO and the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), emphasizes that opportunities for cancer diagnosis and treatment are not equal in all countries. WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stated that cancer can affect anyone, but a patient's chances of survival should not depend on their country of origin or economic status. In many countries, cancer is diagnosed too late, leading to the progression of the disease to late stages and an increase in deaths.
For the first time, the report presents an economic study of people suffering from cancer. It showed that 45% of patients face financial difficulties during treatment. Furthermore, a significant portion of patients' funds is spent on treatment, but life is not always saved. It is noted that Asia accounts for the largest number of cancer cases, making up about 51% of the total global cases.
According to the WHO report, cancer has the greatest impact on the lungs, and lung cancer causes the highest number of deaths worldwide. Among men, this type of cancer is most common, while among women, breast cancer is the most prevalent, followed by colorectal cancer. Smoking is the main cause of lung cancer, but increasing air pollution is also recognized as a major risk factor.
The WHO asserts that 40% of all cancer cases worldwide can be prevented. To achieve this, it is recommended to maintain a healthy diet, exercise regularly, receive necessary vaccinations in a timely manner, and undergo screening examinations. Adhering to these measures significantly reduces the probability of developing cancer.
