Operating sustainably
See how we’re showing the way forward through our own operations.
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We’ve set a goal to achieve net-zero emissions across all of our operations and value chain by 20301
Learn moreWe aim to replenish more freshwater than we consume and help improve water quality and ecosystem health in the communities where we operate.
Learn moreTracking our progress
We believe it is critical to regularly track our progress and be transparent with what we’ve accomplished and where we’re going.
Our reports
To scale impact, we have created tools and case studies to help others adopt some of the approaches that have worked for us.8
1 We aim to reduce 50% of our combined absolute Scope 1, 2 (market-based), and 3 absolute greenhouse gas emissions when compared to a 2019 base year, and plan to invest in nature-based and technology-based carbon removal solutions to neutralize our remaining emissions.2 Carbon-free energy is any type of electricity generation that doesn’t directly emit carbon dioxide, including (but not limited to) solar, wind, geothermal, hydropower, and nuclear. Sustainable biomass and carbon capture and storage (CCS) are special cases considered on a case-by-case basis, but are often also considered carbon-free energy sources.3 Scope: Annual freshwater replenished at our offices and Google-owned and -operated data centers, excluding seawater and reclaimed wastewater.4 We contracted a third-party to estimate replenishment benefits using the Volumetric Water Benefit Accounting (VWBA) methodology ( Reig et al., 2019).
5 We consider “Zero Waste to Landfill" for our data center operations to mean that more than 90% of waste is diverted from landfill and incineration, in line with industry standards. As of 2023, our waste diversion methodology considers thermally processed waste (i.e., incineration), with or without energy recovery, as waste disposal.6 Annual operational waste for all Google-owned and -operated data center campuses globally.7 Based on total plastic weight of Google Pixel, Nest, Chromecast, and Fitbit products manufactured in 2023. This does not include plastics in printed circuit boards, labels, cables, connectors, electronic components and modules, optical components, electrostatic discharge (ESD) components, electromagnetic interference (EMI) components, films, coatings, and adhesives.8 Sustainability has been a core value for Google since our founding, and our environmental reporting and thinking has evolved over the years. Please refer to our latest Environmental Report for our most current methodology and approach.
