Timeline Sustainable technologies

TIMELINE THE RISE OF SUSTAINABLE TECHNOLOGIES

Since ecological awareness began to spread in the mid-20th century, companies and governments have faced intensifying pressure from environmental institutions and individuals to do their bit to save the planet. Gradually over the decades, the global effort to develop ‘green’ technologies escalated, as both producers and consumers became more invested in combating climate change.

1970s 1990s

THE ECOLOGICAL MOVEMENT TAKES SHAPE

Following the 1972 UN Conference on the Human Environment, governments worldwide began to invest in the development of renewable alternatives to fossil fuels. THE RISE OF GREEN TECH

The formation of the UN Climate Change Convention in 1992 led to increased demands for sustainable technologies. But – although the 90s’ upsurge in sustainable technologies seemed promising – CO2 emissions increased, due to poor ecological awareness amongst societies and businesses.

THE ‘CARBON NEUTRAL PROMISE ’ TREND

SUSTAINABLE TECHNOLOGIES

2007 2012 2030

GOOGLE ANNOUNCES CARBON NEUTRAL STATUS

Nine years after its formation, Google became the first large company to declare a carbon neutral status. Since then, the company has aimed to eliminate its carbon legacy and use renewable energy across all its cloud regions. FIRST 100% RENEWABLE DATA CENTRE LAUNCHED IN ICELAND

Setting a new benchmark for sustainable technology, Verne Global became the first data centre powered on 100% renewable energy. Then, over the past decade, data centres across the world have replicated this achievement. COP26 drove many large companies (including Microsoft and Apple) to publicly promise to be carbon neutral by 2030. By then, we’ll see a much higher proportion of data centres running on renewable energy, at netzero water usage, utilising new cooling technologies, and supporting local ecosystems.