Company Profile - Google
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Everyone knows that Google's moto is 'Don't be Evil.' But how does that translate into their carbon footprint? It turns out that the answer is it translates pretty well. In 2007 Google announced that it would be carbon neutral by 2008, a pretty substantial committment. All signs show them to be on track to be carbon neutral this year. To accomplish this, they have focused on a few key areas. First is their data centres. Use new technologies that make the running and cooling of data centres more efficient, they have been able to significantly reduce their carbon emissions in this area. In their offices, they are also working on reducing their carbon footprint as much as possible through better building design to make use of natural light, among other techniques. As well, Google currently has one of the biggest solar panel instalations in the US at an impressive 1.6 megawatts - a big impact on their carbon emissions. Google is planning on increasing this to an amazing 50 megawatts by 2012. Finally, after all that, Google is prepared to purchase carbon offsets for what they were not able to reduce naturally. Don't be evil indeed!
But it doesn't stop there for Google. They are also making significant investments (1% of equity and profits each year) into reducing carbon emissions worldwide. Through their philanthropic arm, Google.Org, they have launched a program in November 2007 called Renewable Energy that is Cheaper than Coal - RE<C. This will be investing hundreds of millions of dollars in new clean technologies and renewable energy resources to help curb global warming, focusing on three areas: solar thermal power, wind power, and enhanced geothermal systems. Keep your eye on our news section as Google seems to regularly announce new multi-million dollar investments in these areas.
And in true Google fashion, they are working on being the tech-industry leader in the fight against Global Warming. In 2007 they teamed up with Intel Corp and others to launch the Climate Savers Computing Initiative, which advocates design and adoption of less wasteful computing infrastructure.
Overall, Google's commitment to cutting their carbon footprint and more generally to fight global warming as much as possible is indeed very impressive. The only major fault is that for a company known for its thought leadership, it has been late in joining the fight against global warming. But now that Google is on board, they seem to be doing everything they can to cut carbon emissions.
How do they stack up?
Business Strategy: 4.5/5 - Google has certainly taken steps across their entire business to cut their carbon footprint
Products & Services: 4.5/5 - conveniently, not in an industry with huge carbon emissions, but their work to make their data centres use less energy is very commendable
Leading by Example: 5/5 - By going carbon neutral in 2008, Google has set the bar high for others
Overall: 4.7/5
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