Dell recently said it had become the first major computer manufacturer to commit to neutralizing the carbon impact of its worldwide operations, a significant extension of its global climate policy and environmental stewardship.

Carbon neutrality involves taking inventory of an organization’s total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and then implementing strategies to reduce and eliminate those emissions. To meet its carbon-neutral commitment for Dell operations, the company will pursue an aggressive strategy of driving additional energy-efficiencies, maximizing purchases of renewable power and offsetting remaining impacts.

“Never before in the history of business have we seen such a critical need to build a worldwide community dedicated to improving the environment,” Michael Dell, the company’s chairman and chief executive, said during a policy forum organized by the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

Dell’s commitment to carbon neutrality in its operations primarily involves emissions impacts created by electricity use and facility heating and cooling. The company will also offset the emissions impact of employee business travel.

As part of its climate stewardship commitment, a company priority is to invest in energy from renewable sources, such as wind, where available and economically feasible.

Dell will offset the emissions impact of the remaining energy the company uses and cannot source from renewable sources. Dell is working with stakeholders to shape its offset strategy, which will help ensure that offsets are invested in projects that can be monitored and verified. Projects will be evaluated for their long-term viability and assurance that the carbon savings are real.

It remains to be seen whether the intentions to improve environment also affect Dell’s business development and personal computer pricing.