Microsoft to fund climate technology

Microsoft announced Monday that it would invest $50 million in a program that provides cloud-computing services and other resources to organizations working on climate change and environmental technology.

The company’s AI for Earth program began in July with $2 million, awarding grants to universities, companies and nongovernmental organizations that gave them free use of Microsoft’s artificial-intelligence technology, including cloud services and mapping tools.

Organizations that focus on agriculture, water, biodiversity and climate change are eligible for the grants, which are intended to accelerate sustainability research.

Microsoft President Brad Smith announced the $50 million investment, which is to be awarded over five years, at the One Climate Summit in Paris, which draws government officials and other leaders from around the world.

Microsoft is one of hundreds of U.S. companies that pledged to remain committed to reducing carbon emissions when President Donald Trump announced the U.S. would withdraw from global Paris climate agreement. The U.S. is the only country in the world to reject the agreement after Syria announced last month that it would sign the deal.

Microsoft joined Amazon, Starbucks, Google and others in signing a letter this year in support of the climate agreement and opposing the Trump administration’s decision to withdraw.