Microsoft has hired a new principal corporate counsel within its energy team.

Evan Pelz joined Microsoft from the International Energy Agency (IEA), where he served as a legal advisor. Pelz spent almost five years at the Agency, advising on legal and governance matters that supported the IEA’s global energy policy work and multilateral initiatives. Before this, he held positions at notable law firms Clifford Chance and Latham and Watkins.

Reflecting on the move on LinkedIn, Pelz wrote: “After a rewarding chapter at the International Energy Agency (IEA) in Paris, I’m pleased to share that I’ve joined Microsoft’s energy legal team, based in Washington, D.C.

“I feel fortunate to have worked with such wonderful colleagues and partners at the IEA, and I’m excited for this next chapter at Microsoft.”

Pelz joins the team shortly after the company hired a new director of global energy and sustainability policy. Ray Fakhoury III joined from Amazon Web Services, where he spent almost three years as its manager of energy policy.

Microsoft has been a leader in sustainability initiatives within the data center industry. It has signed the most carbon removal deals in the sector and still leads the way, despite announcing earlier this year that it would “adjust the pace or volume of our carbon removal procurement as we continue to refine our approach toward sustainability goals.”

Following this, in June, the company claimed that it achieved water positivity across its operations, five years ahead of its 2030 goal.