Downloading Software Online Cuts Emissions by 88 Percent

Published April 01, 2009

Downloading software online generates eight times fewer greenhouse gas emissions than buying the same product through a retailer, according to a recent study from Microsoft.

Microsoft partnered with Accenture and WSP Environment and Energy to study the lifecycle of its software products with a focus on the emissions generated by raw materials, production, distribution, customer use and end-of-life for 10 million Office 2007 units sold both online and through traditional retail avenues.

Its study found that downloading one software unit online avoided emissions equal to a gallon of gas. The sale of 10 million Office 2007 units -- which is based on the company's projected one-year sales -- over the Internet avoids emissions equal to the electricity consumption of 7,715 American households or 13,008 passenger cars driven in one year.

"The ICT sector has the potential to address large-scale global environmental issues, such as climate change, by applying innovative developments to traditional business strategies," the white paper said. "Through electronic software distribution, technology companies, like Microsoft, are supporting the transition to a low-carbon economy."

The greatest impacts come from transportation and packaging, including the DVD, plastic, cardboard and related print material. Customer transportation to and from retailers to buy the software was also included in the calculation.

Microsoft made its Office 2007 product suite available for digital download in January 2007. The company estimates that 80 percent of its 2007 Office sales are sold through traditional retail stores.

The white paper, "Calculating Business Value and Environmental Benefit of Digital Software Distribution," is available for download here (PDF).

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Downloading Software Online Cuts Emissions by 88 Percent