Climate-related risk
IBM, like other companies, faces potential climate-related risks and costs, such as those resulting from increased severe weather events, prolonged changes in temperature, new regulations affecting hardware products and data centers, carbon taxes and increased environmental disclosures requested or required by clients, regulators and others.
As a part of IBM’s comprehensive annual enterprise risk review, management assesses the significance of environmental and climate-related risks, including physical and transition risks across our value chain and manages them accordingly.
As a part of this assessment, we use scenario analysis in evaluating physical risks to IBM locations and properties and quantitatively assess relevant transition risks.
We do not expect climate-related risks or compliance with environmental laws and regulations to have a disproportionate effect on our company or our financial position, results of operations and competitive position.
Global environmental management system
To address and manage these risks in a structured and consistent manner, IBM embeds environmental considerations into its operations through a global environmental management system (EMS). Our EMS provides a structured framework to reduce environmental impacts, help maintain regulatory compliance, and increase operational efficiency.
Corporate environmental policy
Our corporate environmental policy provides the strategic foundation for the EMS and guides how environmental performance is managed across the enterprise. Our EMS covers hardware product design, manufacturing, data centers, software, real estate operations, procurement, logistics, asset recovery services and business services.
By integrating environmental requirements into daily operations, the system improves environmental outcomes while creating long-term business value, reducing risk, increasing resource efficiency, and strengthening operational resilience.
Certifications
IBM has maintained certification to the ISO 14001 standard for Environmental Management Systems since 1997. Our Energy Management Program is an integral part of our global EMS, and we also certify that system to the ISO 50001 international standard for energy management systems.
Environmental responsibility
While the operational footprint required to deliver IBM’s offerings does not generally result in significant environmental impacts, we maintain a disciplined approach to environmental management as a core component of responsible business operations.
Energy and emissions
We are working toward our 2030 net‑zero operational greenhouse gas emissions goal through continued energy efficiency initiatives and the purchase of renewable electricity. These efforts reduce operational costs and improve the efficiency of the infrastructure that supports our clients.
- Reach net zero operational GHG emissions by 2030 covering our Scope 1 and Scope 2 (market-based) emissions.
- Procure 75% of the electricity we consume worldwide from renewable sources by 2025 (Achieved in 2024) and 90% by 2030, including both renewable electricity in the grid mix we receive from utilities and renewable electricity for which we contract over and above what is contained in the grid mix.
- Implement energy conservation projects to avoid consumption of 275,000 MWh from 2021 to 2025 (Achieved in 2024).
- Improve data center cooling efficiency by 20% by 2025 versus 2019 baseline (Achieved in 2024).
- Reduce power consumption per unit of delivered work for future generations of of enterprise storage and server products versus their equivalent predecessors.
Pollution prevention and waste management
Our approach to pollution prevention focuses on avoiding the generation of waste at their source. This approach reduces both environmental impact and operational risk.
- Divert 90% (by weight) of our total nonhazardous waste from landfill and incineration by 2025 through reuse, recycling, composting, and waste to energy processes. Use waste to energy processes for no more than 10% (by weight) of diverted waste (Achieved in 2025).
- Send no more than 1.5% (by weight) of end-of-life products waste to landfill or incineration for treatment. Resell or reuse at least 40% (by weight).
- Eliminate nonessential single-use plastic items from IBM-managed cafeteria operations globally by 2025 (Achieved in 2025).
Material use
We apply a precautionary approach to the materials that we use in our products and processes, endeavoring to select materials that are safe for their intended use and that have the least impact on the environment.
Our chemical management, design for environment and pollution prevention programs support product quality, compliance and responsible innovation.
Water conservation
While our operations are not generally water intensive, we remain committed to preserving water resources and safeguarding watersheds. Proactive water management helps ensure resilient operations across our global facilities.
- Achieve water conservation of 500,000 cubic meters of water withdrawals at IBM research and manufacturing locations from 2025 through 2029 through reduction or avoidance of water withdrawals.
Product design for the environment (DfE)
IBM’s DfE program integrates environmental life-cycle considerations into product development, from design through end-of-life management. The program guides product durability, energy efficiency, material selection, repairability, recyclability, reuse, and responsible end-of-life treatment.
These objectives are embedded in IBM’s hardware development process through internal standards, product specifications, and operational requirements.
Product reuse and recycling
IBM’s Global Asset Recovery Services (GARS), Technology Life Cycle Services, and Global Logistics work together to remarket, redeploy, refurbish, remanufacture, and harvest parts from pre-owned, leased, and client-owned assets, while providing environmentally responsible recycling where reuse is no longer possible. Collectively, these efforts conserve resources, reduce waste, and support asset value recovery across the product lifecycle.
Biodiversity
Although our direct operational impacts are limited, we support biodiversity through long-standing engagement with the Wildlife Habitat Council, with four IBM sites obtaining WHC Conservation Certification in 2025 and more than 65 pollinator gardens maintained globally.
- Implement Sustainable Landscape Management Frameworks across all IBM-owned sites with landscaping responsibilities by 2027 and ensure at least 50% of these sites establish nature conservation projects by 2030.
- Maintain responsible sourcing by requiring all directly procured paper and wood-based packaging to come from sustainably managed forests, achieving 100% compliance globally in 2025.
Environmental Performance metrics covering these programs can be found on our Data and Policies page and our Energy and Emissions page.
Regulated take‑back and recycling programs
Product take back programs
Many jurisdictions (countries, states, provinces, and/or cities) require manufacturers to create programs for no-charge product recycling for certain electronic equipment (e.g., personal computers, computer monitors and related accessories, etc.) that they have manufactured and sold.
IBM participates in a variety of take back for recycling programs for covered products, batteries or packaging which vary depending on local regulations. For more information on collection and recycling in your area, visit IBM Product Take Back Programs.
Information for recyclers under the WEEE Directive
Upon request, and in accordance with Article 15 of the EU Directive 2012/19/EU on Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) and its respective transpositions into national law of the EU Member States, IBM will provide information to recyclers in accordance with the 'EICTA, CECED, AeA and EERA Joint Position Guidance on Implementing Article 15 of Directive 2012/19/EU Concerning Information for Treatment Facilities.'
Cryptographic Coprocessor Card return program
IBM has established a program for the return of certain IBM Cryptographic Coprocessor Cards. The Mercury Information Sheet includes information about this program and the part numbers of the cards for which the program is applicable.
Contact prodinfo@us.ibm.com for more information on the return of these cards.
Quantitative metrics reflecting IBM’s circularity outcomes, such as product reuse, resale, and recycling, are reported on the Data and Policies page.
