2021 Sustainability Report
We believe sustainability is about more than operating responsibly. It is an opportunity to support the communities we are a part of and have a positive impact on the world.
Our approach to sustainability comes to life through three pillars
How we operate
Protecting the well-being of people and our planet through our processes, operations and global supply chain
What we create
Amplifying scientists and climate leaders through our products and platforms
How we collaborate
Engaging with experts and supporting established initiatives in the climate space
Building the Metaverse
We are at the beginning of what will be a long and constantly changing journey, but we know the metaverse can help people connect virtually and reduce their environmental impact.
We expect to see an initial increase in our emissions as we expand our hardware and data centers to build the metaverse. Ultimately, the work we are doing during these foundational years will drive the innovation and collaboration across our business that enables us to grow sustainably.
– Mark Zuckerberg, Founder, Chairman & Chief Executive OfficerThe possibilities our technology will unlock for people only matter if we have a safe and thriving planet."
Striving for a net zero value chain
In pursuit of net zero value chain emissions in 2030, we began working with a select group of our suppliers in 2021 to calculate and report their greenhouse gas emissions. In 2022, we will provide training to our top 100 suppliers on measuring their GHG impact, setting reduction goals and identifying ways to reduce their emissions.
Net Zero
Becoming water positive
We announced our goal to be water positive in 2030, and in 2021 we reached the milestone of contracting 1 billion gallons of water for restoration. We added seven new water restoration projects in Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas totaling approximately 377 million gallons of water per year.
Water
Tackling climate misinformation
In 2021, we launched the $1 million Climate Misinformation Grant in partnership with the International Fact Checking Network. Through this program, we will fund partnerships and proposals from fact-checkers, climate organizations and solution providers working to combat false and misleading information about climate change.
Climate
People & Planet
Workplaces & Data Centers
We design, build, and operate some of the most sustainable data centers and workplaces in the world. With nearly 72,000 employees across 80 cities, providing spaces that are healthy, safe and sustainable exemplifies our commitment to building a better reality.
80%
Meta data centers completed in 2021 are 80% more water efficient than the average data center
7,500
At the end of 2021, Meta had contracts in place for more than 7,500 megawatts of solar and wind energy globally
86%
Meta offices recycled 86% of construction waste, preventing 32,000 tons of waste from going to landfill or incineration
Closer together and
closer to better
