Operating sustainably
See how we’re working to drive sustainability across our operations.
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We’ve set a goal to achieve net-zero emissions across all of our operations and value chain by 2030.1
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.10
1 We aim to reduce 50% of our combined Scope 1, Scope 2 (market-based), and Scope 3 absolute emissions (compared to our 2019 base year) by 2030, and we 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 In 2023, we adjusted our methodology for calculating waste generated and diversion for our data centers—for more details, see Reducing data center waste in the Circular economy section. These changes are reflected for 2023, but not for prior years. 2022 performance (38%) is based on our previous methodology and is not comparable year-over-year. Had we not made these methodology changes, we estimate that our reported 2023 percentage of data centers to reach Zero Waste to Landfill would have been 43%, or a 5% increase compared to our reported 2022 percentage.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 Based on total plastic weight of Google Pixel, Nest, and Chromecast products manufactured in 2022. 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.9 Based on total weight of new Google Pixel and Fitbit retail packaging (excluding adhesive materials and required plastic stickers) as shipped by Google. To meet the request of some retail partners, stickers and/or security tags are applied to some packaging variations and may contain plastic.10 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.
