Hi everyone,
Since early 2015, the Wikimedia Foundation has been evaluating efforts and engaging in discussions related to the environmental impact of the movement, and specifically the Foundation. During that time, we supported improvements to our on-wiki documentation,[1] talked with members of the community, and began reviewing internal processes.
The Wikimedia Foundation is committed to finding ways to reduce the impact of our activities on the environment. We aim to always act as responsibly and sustainably as possible, including favoring renewable energy where it is available for our operations.
To help clarify and solidify our intentions in this important matter, the Board of Trustees has passed an environmental impact resolution.[2] This resolution commits the Wikimedia Foundation to:
1. Seek out information about our overall impact on the environment and then work to minimize it;
2. Consider sustainability as an important part of decisions around servers, operations, travel, offices, and other procurement;
3. Use green energy where it is available and a prudent use of resources; and
4. Starting in 2018, include an environmental impact statement in our annual plan.
We appreciate the input of the nearly 200 Wikimedians that have already spoken to this in on Meta-Wiki,[1] and hope that you will join future efforts to minimize any negative impacts on the environment. Thank you!
Kind regards,
María and Christophe
María Sefidari, Board Vice Chair, Wikimedia Foundation
Christophe Henner, Board Chair, Wikimedia Foundation
[1] https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Sustainability_Initiative
[2] https://wikimediafoundation.org/wiki/Resolution:Environmental_Impact