By Ellen Chang The software giant encourages using the cloud because it cuts energy usage. Microsoft ( (MSFT) – Get Microsoft Corporation Report) has positioned itself to be a climate change leader by encouraging its customers to shift to storing its data in its cloud service, Microsoft Azure. Shifting to the cloud means that companies can slash energy usage by 65% and cut carbon emissions by more than 84%, according to research by Accenture. In June, the software giant along with Accenture ( (ACN) – Get Accenture plc Class A (Ireland) Report) and their joint venture, Avanade, said they would …