Contributions to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation set up by Gates and his wife top $20 billion." (Hillis, 1) As indicated though, Microsoft's performance in the area of sustainability is not a simple black-out-white outlook. Quite to the contrary, its political activity seems almost counterintuitive to the actions the company has taken to improve its own achievement of sustainability. Namely, Schwartz reports the software giant to have fallen short of the expectations of major environmental groups such as Greenpeace for failing to use its enormous influence to push policymakers toward more aggressive regulatory changes. While Microsoft can afford to invest in renewable and sustainable technologies, without a major change in policy legislation and corporate culture, many smaller firms cannot afford this type of transformation.

Still, it must be said that Microsoft is a major innovator in this area, and has provided myriad examples to other firms of ways to connection this type of sustainability to economic success. So is this demonstrated with its Hohm program. Accordingly, the Microsoft Corporation (2009) describes...

These recommendations are tailored based on your specific household circumstances including home attributes and use of appliances and systems." (p. 1)
Such innovations suggest that Microsoft is a leader in an important area, which is demonstrating to other firms that there is considerable commercial opportunity in helping consumers move toward greater environmental conscientiousness, energy efficiency and sustainable living.

Works Cited:

Environmental Leader (EL). (2009). Microsoft Cutting CSR PR Budget. Environmental Leader.com

Hillis, S. (2007). Microsoft Moves to Polish Tarnished Public Image. Advanced Network.

Microsoft Corporation (MC). (2009). Microsoft Hohm Beta. Microsoft Environment.

Schwartz, A. (2010). Sustainability Faceoff:…