VFX Unity Technologies VP Jessica Lindl discusses company's commitment to Net Zero Carbon Emissions -

Unity Technologies VP Jessica Lindl discusses company’s commitment to Net Zero Carbon Emissions

Unity, the world’s leading platform for creating and operating real-time 3D (RT3D) content, recently announced that it is achieving net zero carbon emissions now, starting with 2020 emissions, and every year thereafter.

Employing a three-step approach, the company will immediately leverage carbon offsets to offset its 2020 emissions, redesign internal processes to lower emissions, and align with groups who are demanding better from the world in order to fight climate change, including signing on to the Science Based Targets initiative’s (SBTi) Business Ambition for 1.5°C. 

Explaining the three-step approach, Unity Technologies VP Jessica Lindl shared with AnimationXpress, “Specifically, we are employing a three-step approach, starting with immediately leveraging carbon offsets to offset 2020 emissions, redesigning our internal processes to lower emissions, and align with groups who are demanding better from the world in order to fight climate change, including signing on to the Science Based Targets initiative’s (SBTi) Business Ambition for 1.5°C. We know that this is just the beginning of a long, continuous effort to acknowledge and act upon the responsibility that we have as global citizens who share this planet. We recognize that Unity plays a critical role in a sustainable future – not just through our own commitment, but with our unique ability to support our customers using Unity’s technology to help decarbonize their businesses.”

Unity Technologies VP Jessica Lindl

She further said, “For years now, Unity has provided support to creators who are building content to make the physical world a more inclusive, equitable, and sustainable place. The Unity for Humanity program started years ago and we’ve since evolved it so there are multiple grants that fall within Unity for Humanity, all mapping back to our key focus areas. Sustainability has been a pillar within our Social Impact work since we founded the division this time last year. The Unity for Humanity Environment and Sustainability grant is one that specifically focuses on empowering creators who are using Unity’s real-time 3D technology to increase awareness and educate the world on the most critical sustainability issues.”

Co-designed by Unity, The 2021 Green Game Jam is also another initiative that was launched with an to empower millions of gamers to act for nature. Lindl shared, “Planet Alliance brought together 27 studios and platforms with a collective playerbase of more than one billion gamers, to create compelling content and actionable goals for game players around the world to have an impact on climate change. The Green Game Jam took place from March – April 2020 and the results surpassed all expectations. By placing this “green” content into genres where it isn’t typically seen, developers can increase environmental awareness in their player base and signal to them that environmental action is for everyone, everywhere, which is so critical to solving our most pressing sustainability issues. Everyone should feel like they can make a difference. “

She informed that creators are using Unity from all over the world, including students and those in universities within India. “Being able to reach current and future creators in India and provide them with the resources they need, holds a special place in my heart, as I have spent extensive time in India and Asia working for global NGO’s prototyping new approaches to solving the challenge of illiteracy for our most underserved youth,” she added.

In addition to the efforts that were announced, Unity sees the transformational potential of real-time 3D to drive real-world carbon reductions at scale. Zutari, a South African engineering consultancy, is using Unity to create innovative engineering solutions that deliver real impact and enable environments, communities, and economies across Africa to thrive; Ahi Kā Rangers is an ecological mobile game, using Unity to transform a generation who have lost their connection to the world around them into stewards of the planet; and Sitowise is using Unity to create virtual twins, ultimately making cities more sustainable, safe, and healthy living environments for people and businesses. 

On being asked how Indian studios can go about availing the grant, she answered, “First, creators in India, or anywhere in the world for that matter, who are using Unity’s real-time 3D technology to increase awareness and educate the world on critical issues, should absolutely submit for one of our Unity for Humanity grants. This week, we announced that Unity and Common are co-launching a brand new extension of the Unity for Humanity grant: The Imagine Grant, awarded to the project that best ‘imagines a better world.’ Submissions for this grant will be open from 11 October through 3 December 2021. Good luck to all submitting!”

In 2021, Unity conducted its 2020 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions baseline inventory, made up of direct emissions, indirect emissions from purchased electricity, and indirect emissions from business travel, purchased goods and services, events, and more. This first annual data collection resulted in a reported 38,400 metric tonnes of carbon, which is the equivalent of 8,400 passenger vehicles being driven for one year. Unity has also partnered with and funded universities and non-profit organizations whose work and research is said to drive real world change, including Western University, Project Drawdown, and Conservation International. 

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