Unless you're an idiot, it can't have escaped your attention that it's long-past time for action in regards to getting up off our butts and doing what we can to mitigate the damage we've already done to our planet. Of course, the likes of you and I can only do so much. The real change has to come from the companies of the world, and it has to come now. Fortunately, various video game companies, including Sony and Microsoft, have teamed up with the United Nations Environment Program as part of the new "Playing for the Planet" initiative, which will see the longtime rivals work together to share plans and ideas on the best ways to make their products more environmentally friendly.
While you could be forgiven for thinking this is all talk on the part of the people at the top, it does seem as if the companies are already making good on the initiative. Just yesterday,Sony announced that the upcoming PlayStation 5 will include an optional setting to greatly reduce the amount of energy the console uses when in standby mode, especially compared to the current PS4. Not one to be outdone, Microsoft has now announced a pilot program to make 825,000 carbon neutral Xbox consoles.
Note the term "Xbox consoles." It's currently unclear if this test program will involve the Xbox One, the upcoming next-gen hardware, or a blend of both. Whatever the case, these carbon neutral consoles will apparently be the first of their kind in the world, which is incredibly exciting. It might simply be a test program at this point, but Microsoft is already looking to see "what we can do to further reduce and neutralize carbon across devices in the future." It's also worth noting that Microsoft's business operations have been carbon neutral since 2012.
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Sony and Microsoft are being joined in their efforts by a number of large companies, including Ubisoft, Google Stadia, Rovio, and Supercell. According to a press release from the UN, the combined work of the 21 companies involved is estimated to 21 to result in a "30 million ton reduction of CO2 emissions by 2030." Those involved will also share and implement best practices for "energy management, packaging, and device recycling," and will donate to the planting of "millions" of trees.
United Nations Environment Program executive director Inger Andersen said in a statement, "The video games industry has the ability to engage, inspire and captivate the imaginations of billions of people across the world. This makes them a hugely important partner in addressing the climate emergency. We are encouraged by the commitment of these gaming companies, which shows recognition that we all must play our role in the global effort to lower carbon emissions and effect real change towards sustainability."
Featured Image Credit: MicrosoftTopics: Xbox One