COP28: Global software firm Microsoft and UAE tech retailer Sharaf DG announce green missions

COP28: Global software firm Microsoft and UAE tech retailer Sharaf DG announce green missions

Thomas Kowollik, Vice President Consumer Sales Organisation, EMEA, Microsoft, and Nilesh Khalkho, CEO of Sharaf DG, took the opportunity at COP28 to explain sustainable fashion products to their customer base.

Microsoft and Sharaf DG collaborated with the Arab Fashion Council, wherein a designer will be handpicked to craft an eco-conscious capsule collection, tailored exclusively to complement the companies’ Windows product lineup.

Talking about the collaboration, Kowollik said the idea was to engage their wide customer base into sustainable fashion. “For some it is important to have a fashionable device or a fashionable accessory, right? We are basically looking at ways to keep our customers excited with our products and keeping sustainability high on the agenda.”

Kowollik said more details on the fusion of fashion and technology will be announced soon.

During the conference, Kowollik outlined an ambitious plan for Microsoft that entailed becoming “carbon negative, zero waste and water positive by 2030 while completely removing CO2 (carbon dioxide) emissions by 2050.

“We also have plans to operate with 100 per cent renewable energy by 2025 and... we have also set a plan for zero per cent single-use plastic in packaging,” he said.

Khalkho meanwhile spoke about Sharaf DG’s plans to