Summary:
After decades of incremental steps in 2021, the fight against climate change has reached an
important turning point due to two important developments. Firstly, we have a decade to
reduce emissions dramatically as we are experiencing the tangible impacts of climate change,
such as wildfires and floods and disruption in our daily lives. In the mean-time, driving
widespread support for climate action from Generation Z and political support is increasing
significantly in the society. Secondly, the technology and policy has become advanced including
artificial intelligence (AI) which is helping to produce and supply of carbon free electricity 24/7.
Google uses AI to optimize electricity consumption within data centres and reduce emissions,
while other technologies like sensors on satellites, Machine learning, Environmental Insights
Explorer help to locate, estimate, track, forecast and mitigate climate-related disasters. As a
result, companies have made bigger sustainability commitments and the world also needs
global cooperation between the private sector and governments to work on the same goals to
combat climate change. Climate change has become most profound challenge in our generation
and the world is making significant steps to address this challenge.
References regarding other sustainabilty strategies Google can follow:
1. Renewable energy procurement and Carbon offsetting guidance
I. https://ukgbc.org/resources/renewable-energy-procurement-carbon-offsetting-
guidance-for-net-zero-carbon-buildings/
II. https://oboloo.com/blog/exploring-renewable-energy-procurement-and-carbon-
offsetting/
III. https://workplaceinsight.net/new-guidance-for-renewable-energy-procurement-and-
carbon-offsetting/
2. promote the repairability and longevity of its hardware products
I. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Google_products
II. https://www.ul.com/resources/product-repairability-journey-sustainable-added-value
III. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/370453006_The_right-to-
repair_movement_Sustainability_and_consumer_rights
3. Achieving supply chain sustainability
I. http://triskelogi.com/achieving-supply-chain-sustainability-with-innovative-technology/
II. https://sponsored.bloomberg.com/quicksight/how-can-technology-drive-sustainability-
in-the-supply-chain
4. Promoting Green Transportation:
I. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/
S0967070X23001154#:~:text=Additionally%2C%20promoting%20green
%20transportation%20leads,lifestyles%20that%20benefit%20people's%20health.
II. https://www.tbsnews.net/thoughts/how-sustainable-transportation-can-curb-pollution-
and-enhance-urban-mobility-334399
5. Reducing Water Foot print
I. https://www.un.org/en/chronicle/article/how-reduce-our-water-footprint-sustainable-
level
II. https://en.reset.org/save-water-reduce-your-water-footprint/
6. Support sustainable agriculture and forestry practices : Google could buy food from farms
that use organic farming practices and paper from forests that are sustainably managed.
https://nicholasinstitute.duke.edu/issues/sustainable-agriculture-forestry
7. Education and Awareness: Google can use its platform to raise awareness about
sustainability issues and educate its users on how they can reduce their environmental
footprint.
https://www.worldscientific.com/doi/abs/10.1142/9789811228001_0072?download=true
