Vision & Innovation

How VMware Made Sustainable Computing and the Green Enterprise a Reality 

by VMware Senior Staff Architect for Sustainable Software Solutions Zhelong Pan

Virtualization—the paradigm shift that built VMware—revolutionized technology. It also made it greener by reducing power consumption compared to physical servers, resulting in avoided emissions even as IT workloads continue to grow. We accomplished this by significantly reducing the number of hosts and servers required to support customer workloads. This was in addition to dramatic reductions in the cost, material consumption and data center footprint of the physical IT equipment. 

But with the advent of the cloud, the proliferation of devices, consumer adoption of everything tech and increased interest in artificial intelligence/machine learning (AI/ML), enterprises integrating sustainability into their operations and products face greater challenges than ever before. 

Building on the foundation of basic virtualization, VMware is taking the lead in this arena by developing sustainable clouds, workload energy and carbon efficiency, green disaster recovery deployments, and more. It’s part of what we call our 2030 Agenda, an environmental, social and governance (ESG) strategy made up of 30 goals designed to drive three powerful outcomes—sustainability, equity, and trust. Collectively, these goals guide VMware efforts to decarbonize digital infrastructures, increase equitable access to opportunities through distributed workforce technology, and maintain trust with enhanced security and transparency.  

Theory becomes reality 

Sustainable digital infrastructure supports the transition to net zero emissions for our customers, supply chain and our own operations. These green initiatives aren’t just theory. They have real-world benefits that offer enterprises significant competitive advantages. Businesses can realize higher infrastructure productivity and lower costs per workload—while also building a strong brand based on sustainability, regardless of industry. That is certainly true with VMware and our products. 

The advantages don’t end there. Companies and communities can realize additional sustainability benefits through avoided emissions, reductions in the need for additional fossil-fuel-powered data centers, water savings and decreased electronic waste. 

Working for a more sustainable world 

Today, VMware teams work closely with our customers to help them: 

  • Achieve decarbonization goals in their digital operations through our multi-cloud, edge, and end-user virtualization solutions. 
  • Quantify the energy and carbon footprints of their digital operations, both on-premises and in public clouds. 
  • Identify actionable ways to reduce their carbon footprint. This includes increasing the productive use of their IT capacity investments and leveraging renewable energy to power workloads. 

There are many opportunities to explore that can empower your company to meet its own sustainability goals. That’s why we encourage you to contact your account team to schedule a briefing with us. No sales pitch, no marketing. Just straightforward peer conversations around your company’s unique requirements. 

VMware on VMware blogs are written by IT subject matter experts sharing stories about our digital transformation using VMware products and services in a global production environment.To learn more about how VMware IT uses VMware products and technology to solve critical challenges, visit ourmicrosite, read ourblogsandIT Performance Annual Reportand follow us on SoundCloud,Twitter, and YouTube. VMware trademarks and registered marks (including logos and icons) referenced in the document remain the property of VMware.