Document NGpxyneKY49XMMLOE7L1XEwqy

From: Sent: To: Subject: m Ref. Ares(2020)2812222-30/05/2020 CAB SINKEVICIUS CONTACT vendredi 29 mai 2020 09:10 CAB SINKEVICIUS ARCHIVES FW: Conversation on Biodiversity and green recovery between Commissioner Sinkevicius & Microsoft --------------------- From: Sent: Friday, May 29, 2020 7:58 AM To: CAB SINKEVICIUS CONTACT <CAB-SINKEVICIUS-CONTACT@ec.europa.eu> Cc: VASCEGA Marius (CAB-SINKEVICIUS) <Marius.VASCEGA@ec.europa.eu>; BURSI Camilla (CAB SINKEVICIUS) <Camilla.BURSl@ec.europa.eu>; Subject: Conversation on Biodiversity and green recovery between Commissioner Sinkevicius & Microsoft Dear Commissioner Sinkevicius, I am writing as a follow up on a conversation with your team last month, which I include below. First of all, I'd like to congratulate you and your team on the release of the Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 last week, with an impressive set of actions. While fighting the global pandemic rightly remains the single most important priority for all of us, we share your view of the important role that protecting and restoring ecosystems will have for rebuilding a healthy society and a healthy economy. I want to reiterate that I look forward to working with you and your team to support the work of the Commission in this space, as well as the newly announced Next Generation EU plan, focused on a green and digital recovery. We were glad to read about the role that innovation and data play in the new Biodiversity Strategy in terms of advancing progress in the field. We at Microsoft are ready to do our part and would like to explore with you ideas around how we might contribute to this work. Just last month, we shared plans focused on preserving and protecting the world's ecosystems through the power of data and technology. For example, to increase the availability of and access to timely and comparable environmental data, we announced plans for a Planetary Computer. We would be happy to arrange a virtual conversation with you and your team to discuss how technology in general and our increasing work on data and ecosystems might support your ambitious plans. I've included some first reflections as well as our clear commitment in this biog that we published at the release of the Strategy last week. Thank you in advance for considering the possibility of a virtual conversation to exchange ideas on these topics. We would be happy to work with your team to find a suitable time. Best regards, : M.crosoft From: Sent: 2 To: marius.vascega@ec.europa.eu Cc: Camilla.BURSl@ec.europa.eu; Eglantine.CUJO@ec.europa.eu; Daniel.CALLEJA CRESPO@ec.europa.eu; Humberto.DELGADO-ROSA@ec.europa.eu; Subject: Microsoft's new commitment to Biodiversity and Ecosystems Dear Marius Vascega, As someone who recently left Government to join Microsoft in Brussels as the new VP for European Government Affairs, I first of all want to underline that I look forward to working with you and your team. When the world returns to normal I will reach out to arrange an office call to discuss how we might support the work of the Commission. On top of being a priority for Microsoft I have a personal ambition to make sure we remain a close partner for Europe and European ambitions. Until then I hope you and your family are safe during these difficult times. COVID-19 has disrupted our societies and the wellbeing of people around the world has rightly been the single most important priority. But as many European leaders have emphasized in the last few weeks, the fight against the pandemic should not lead us to lose sight of another crisis looming on the horizon: Climate change and the need to promote sustainability. The importance of the European Green Deal and the upcoming Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 cannot be overstated, and in this regard I wanted to share with you Microsoft's new sustainability commitment - also as a contribution to advancing the EU's goals in this space. Our latest step is focused on preserving and protecting the biodiversity and health of the world's ecosystems, and builds upon the commitments we made in January setting ambitious goals to become carbon negative by the end of this decade. One of the challenges we face as a society is in understanding why biodiversity and ecosystems are declining. Our goal is to help leverage data and digital technology to make a contribution to advancing our understanding of what is happening, including through developing a new so-called 'Planetary Computer' that will gather information and insights from scientists, conservation organisations and businesses. More information can be found at this website. We have adopted four principles to guide our work in helping achieve global biodiversity goals: Put data and digital technology to work. Empower partners and customers around the world. Use our voice on ecosystem-related public policy issues. Take responsibility for our land footprint. My colleagues and I stand ready to share any additional information with you and your team if this would be helpful. Best regards, Microsoft