The world is hungry for eco-friendly solutions, and Alibaba Cloud is providing them—setting its sights on a green horizon and steering the wheels of sustainability. With ambitious goals, groundbreaking tech, and a dash of innovation, Alibaba Cloud is painting a greener tomorrow.
In a bold stride towards a carbon-neutral future, Alibaba Cloud is rewriting the sustainability rulebook. In fact, at this very moment, the company is charting a path to achieve Scope 3 carbon neutrality by 2030. Meaning, it wants to offset its carbon emissions across its entire value chain, from data centres to delivery trucks.
But that is not all! Alibaba Cloud is innovating with renewable energy, pledging to fuel its cloud computing with 100% clean energy and kicking fossil fuels to the curb by 2030.
Driving a Sustainable Sporting Event
In the dynamic world of sports, where every second counts, Alibaba Cloud is also making every second count—this time for sustainability. By weaving its cutting-edge technologies into the fabric of sporting events, Alibaba Cloud is transforming the way sports are organised while keeping a watchful eye on the environment.
So, how is Alibaba Cloud doing it? Let’s count the ways:
Revolutionising Broadcasting: OBS Video Server
The Olympic Broadcasting Services (OBS) Video Server, fully hosted in the cloud during the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics, stands as a testament to Alibaba Cloud’s commitment to sustainability. This cloud-based platform not only streamlines operations but also reduces the need for hefty on-site hardware investments.
Thanks to Alibaba Cloud’s Content+ solution, Rights Holding Broadcasters (RHBs) gained easy remote access to all content produced during the Olympic Winter Games, from live coverage to behind-the-scenes action. Additionally, the implementation of OBS Live Cloud serves as a green alternative, allowing Olympic Games-related content to be transmitted over the public cloud, effectively trimming the carbon footprint of broadcasting-related operations.
Streamlined Operations: Fewer Broadcast Teams
Ever heard of the saying, “Less is more”? Alibaba Cloud took this to heart during the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics. Thanks to its nifty technology, it managed to trim the size of broadcast teams covering the event on-site by a whopping 40% compared to the previous games in PyeongChang, South Korea. This not only meant more efficient operations but also a lighter environmental impact.
Artificial Intelligence-Powered Sustainability: Enter Energy Expert
Alibaba Cloud is not stopping at just reducing carbon emissions; it is taking its commitment to sustainability to a whole new level with Energy Expert. This Artificial Intelligence (AI)-powered solution was put to the test during the first Olympic Esports Week in Singapore in 2023. It measured and analysed carbon emissions from the temporary infrastructure built for the event. What followed was a revelation—data-driven insights that guided decisions on materials and equipment choices.
By replacing as much as 60% of printed signage with digital alternatives, Alibaba Cloud managed to shave off a whopping 14 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) emissions. But it did not end there; they also championed the art of reusing by giving 50% of the event’s carpets a second life, further slashing emissions by an additional 10 tonnes of CO2e.
For Alibaba Cloud, therefore, it is not just about reducing the carbon footprint; it is also about creating a blueprint for sustainable events.
An Eco-Conscious Asian Games
With its attempt to champion sustainability and inclusiveness, Alibaba Cloud has unfurled a suite of innovative tools for the Asian Games and the Asian Para Games being held in Hangzhou. These digital innovations were specifically designed to encourage low-carbon practices among athletes, journalists, and staff residing in the three Asian Games villages and foster greater accessibility for individuals with hearing impairments.
“Alibaba Cloud has proven expertise in supporting organisations and sports events’ sustainability initiatives with digital technology. Through the innovative sustainable lifestyle web application, we want to encourage participants of the Asian Games to be more sustainable by recording their daily eco-friendly choices and helping them see the tangible impact of their choices,” said William Xiong, Vice President of Alibaba Cloud Intelligence and General Manager of Enterprise Service Cloud.
William Xiong, Vice President of Alibaba Cloud Intelligence and General Manager of Enterprise Service Cloud
Empowering Eco-Friendly Actions
To highlight the Hangzhou Asian Games’ resounding commitment to eco-friendliness, Alibaba Cloud ingeniously crafted a sustainable lifestyle web application. This digital marvel encourages Asian Games participants to adopt low-carbon behaviours and shrink their carbon footprint through the magic of digital engagement.
The interactive web application operates on a simple yet potent principle—rewarding individuals for eco-conscious choices. Athletes, journalists, and staff at the Asian Games can earn valuable carbon points for embracing green lifestyle choices. These choices span from opting for public transport and practising waste recycling to minimising food waste. Participants residing within the Asian Games villages can seamlessly record their low-carbon activities by scanning QR codes via the web application. These activities range from eschewing plastic bags at supermarkets to snapping photos of clean plates at dining halls, all contributing to the noble cause of reducing food waste.
Behind the scenes, a sophisticated system transforms these individual low-carbon deeds into tangible carbon points. Accumulated points can be redeemed for exclusive Asian Games-themed pins and a variety of low-carbon products. This dynamic web application has already witnessed over 310,000 visits, resulting in more than 7 tonnes of carbon being reduced. This innovative approach serves as a living testament to the potential of digital technology in fostering eco-friendly choices.
Harnessing AI for Sustainable Mascots
Alibaba Cloud’s commitment to sustainability extends beyond mere digital applications. It is a commitment that translates into real-world actions, like optimising the carbon footprint of the Hangzhou Asian Games’ mascots. Using its AI-powered carbon management tool, Energy Expert, Alibaba Cloud scrutinised and enhanced the carbon footprint of these endearing mascots.
For example, the assessment revealed that all three of the mascots—Chenchen, Congcong, and Lianlian—had a carbon footprint of 1.59 kg CO2e each, sourced from electricity use, packaging, and raw materials. By advocating the use of solar power and eco-friendly designs, the sustainability platform managed to reduce the carbon footprint of each item by 0.15 kg CO2e.
The Three Eco-Friendly Asian Games Mascot, from left to right: Chenchen, Congcong, and Lianlian
A Collaborative Approach Towards Sustainability
To amplify the reach of its sustainability initiatives, Alibaba Cloud has partnered with 10 companies and brands, spanning the retail, transport, and banking sectors. This collaboration extends the umbrella of sustainability inside the Asian Games villages. Through its sustainability platform, Energy Expert, Alibaba Cloud has extended its carbon footprint measurement and certification services to various facets of the Games, including the pin exchange centre and low-carbon stores boasting energy-saving installations.
As part of these collaborative endeavours, Energy Expert worked closely with Chinese dairy company Yili to uncover the sources of carbon emissions from its store at the Asian Games village. Optimisation plans were devised, encompassing enhanced use of solar power, energy-efficient lighting, and air-conditioning. Furthermore, Yili was encouraged to create a dedicated section for low-carbon products and introduce a recycling machine for milk cartons.
Sustainability is paramount, and in the grand arena of sports where every moment counts, Alibaba Cloud is rewriting the playbook with sustainability at its heart. With innovative solutions that reduce waste, minimise carbon emissions, and streamline operations, Alibaba Cloud is on a mission to prove that sports and sustainability go hand in hand.
Alibaba Cloud is not just setting the stage for greener games, they are forging a path towards a sustainable, more eco-conscious future.
