Baidu Announces Six Paths to Realizing Its 2030 Carbon Neutrality Target

Baidu on Tuesday officially unveiled six methods to accomplish its carbon neutrality target at the operational level by 2030.

Based on existing environmentally-friendly practices, the firm outlined a range of scientific paths towards fulfilling the goal: a data center, office buildings, carbon offsetting, intelligent transportation, intelligent cloud and supply chain.

Path 1: Build an Environmentally-Friendly Data Center

The power usage effectiveness (PUE) of Baidu‘s self-built data centers was 1.14 in 2020. Through technology innovation, integration of hardware and software and AI application, the energy consumption per unit of the computing power of self-built data centers is expected to be continuously reduced. Baidu will give priority to areas rich in renewable energy to build new data centers to improve the firm’s energy consumption structure.

Baidu said it will reduce the PUE of rented data centers through advanced technology or computing power migration to reduce the level of carbon emissions.

Path 2: Build Smart Office Buildings

Baidu will take natural lighting, natural ventilation, sun-shading and other measures to improve the efficiency of energy usage in office buildings. Through the photovoltaic power generation technology and other methods, office buildings will be more environmentally friendly.

Path 3: Carbon Offsetting

For operational areas that are difficult to achieve zero carbon emissions, carbon offsetting is a great solution for Baidu.

Path 4: Carbon Reduction Technology in the Intelligent Transportation Field

Baidu will exert significant efforts in the research and development of driverless and electric vehicles, such as Baidu Apollo, Jidu Auto – an electric vehicle venture between the Chinese tech giant and domestic automaker Geely.

Path 5: Energy Saving and Carbon Reduction Technology in the Intelligent Cloud Field

Baidu will cooperate with intelligent cloud services, customers, partners and others to jointly realize zero carbon emissions.

Path 6: Build Partnerships with Enterprises in the Supply Chain

Baidu will dedicate itself to build a new cooperation mechanism alongside other enterprises in its supply chain to promote carbon emission reductions.

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Technology is the most important driving force in striving to achieve the carbon neutrality goals. After 2030, Baidu said it would still work with ecological partners to achieve negative carbon emissions, contributing to the national goal of carbon neutrality in 2060.