EnvironmentalReport2023What’sinsideAboutthisreportGoogle’s2023EnvironmentalReportprovidesanoverviewofourenvironmentalsustainabilitystrategyandtargetsandourannualprogresstowardsthem.1Thisreportfeaturesdata,performancehighlights,andprogressagainstourtargetsfromour2022fiscalyear(January1toDecember31,2022).Italsomentionssomenotableachievementsfromthefirsthalfof2023.Aftertwoyearsofcondensedreporting,we’resharingadeeperdiveintoourapproachinoneplace.ADDITIONALRESOURCES•2023EnvironmentalReport:ExecutiveSummary•Sustainability.google•Sustainabilityreports•Sustainabilityblog•Ourcommitments•Alphabetenvironmental,social,andgovernance(ESG)•AboutGoogleIntroduction3Executiveletters4Highlights6Oursustainabilitystrategy7Targetsandprogresssummary8Emergingopportunities9Empoweringindividuals12Ourambition13Ourapproach13Helpingpeoplemake14moresustainablechoicesReducinghomeenergyuse14Providingsustainabletransportationoptions17Sharingotheractionableinformation19Thejourneyahead19Workingtogether20Ourambition21Ourapproach21Supportingpartners22Investinginbreakthroughinnovation28Creatingecosystemsforcollaboration29Thejourneyahead30Operatingsustainably31Ourambition32Ouroperations32Net-zerocarbon33Waterstewardship49Circulareconomy55Natureandbiodiversity67Spotlight:BuildingamoresustainablecampusinMountainView73Governanceandengagement75AboutGoogle76Sustainabilitygovernance76Riskmanagement77Stakeholderengagement78Publicpolicyandadvocacy79Partnerships83Awardsandrecognition84Appendix85Reportingapproachandmethodology86Environmentaldatatables90Environmentalreportingframeworksindex96Endnotes101Glossary10322023EnvironmentalReportIntroductionAppendixEmpoweringindividualsWorkingtogetherGovernanceandengagementOperatingsustainably32023EnvironmentalReportIntroductionExecutivelettersSVPofLearningandSustainabilityChiefSustainabilityOfficerHighlightsOursustainabilitystrategyTargetsandprogresssummaryEmergingopportunitiesAIforsustainabilityOurgigatonaspirationIntroductionAppendixEmpoweringindividualsGovernanceandengagementOperatingsustainablyWorkingtogether42023EnvironmentalReportExecutivelettersAletterfromourSeniorVicePresidentofLearningandSustainabilityIwasintroducedtotheproblemofclimatechangeinthelate1980sthroughaprescientclassItookasanundergraduate.Themodelswerelesssophisticatedandmoreuncertainthantheyaretoday,buttheimplicationswerealreadyworrying.Thirtyyearslatermuchhaschanged.Thethreatisnowmoreimmediate,buttheworldisalsotakingaction—fromgovernmentalpolicyandtechnologyinnovationtoactionsbyindividualsandorganizations—drivenbyabroaderawarenessofthedanger.IworkedonSearchfor20years,leadingtheproductformanyofthose,andlearnedalotabouttheuniqueimpactGooglecanhaveontheworld.I’vealwaysbeenproudofGoogle’sleadershipinpushingtheboundariesofsustainabilityinourdatacenters,includingachievingcarbonneutralityin2007(atthetime,suchaccomplishmentswereuncommon).Goingfurther,we’vematched100%ofourglobalelectricityusewithrenewableenergypurchasesforthelastsixyears—agoalthatseemedalmostcrazywhenwesetitin2012.Todayourambitionshaveevolved—wenowhaveaboldgoaltoachievenet-zeroemissionsacrossallofouroperationsandvaluechain,andaspartofthatgoal,torunon24/7carbon-freeenergyoneverygridwhereweoperate.Thepathtogettothesegoalsisdifficult,andwe’recommittedtoworkingthroughthechallengeswefacewiththeultimateaimofdrivinglargersystemschangetocreateamoresustainablefuture.Further,predictingthefuturegrowthofenergyuseandemissionsfromAIcomputeinourdatacentersisdifficult.Despitethis,weremainfocusedondevelopingnewwaystomakeAIcomputingmoreefficientwhileleveragingtheopportunitiesthatAIpresentstohaveapositiveenvironmentalimpact.Beyondourownfootprint,Google’sfoundingmission—“Organizetheworld’sinformationandmakeituniversallyaccessibleanduseful”—canplayaveryimportantroleinacceleratingprogressinclimateinformationandaction.Asustainablefuturewillbebuiltuponbillionsofdecisionsmadebygovernments,organizations,andindividuals,whichwillneedtobegroundedingoodinformation.Increasingly,weseethroughGoogleTrendsthatmoreandmorepeoplearelookingforwaystolivesustainably.Ibelievethatwehavemanystrengthsandcapabilitiesinprovidingqualityinformationthatpeopleareseekingtomakedecisionsthat’lldrivepositiveactionforourplanet.Helpfulinformationcanbecriticalinbotheffortstoreduceemissionsaswellasadapttoextremeclimateeventslikefloods,wildfires,andheatwaves.Butthisinformationoftenlivesinsilosandishardtoaccess.Makingtheinformationaccessibleandusefulcanbeatoughtechnicalchallenge.OurproductslikeEnvironmentalInsightsExplorer,EarthEngine,andDataCommonsarekeysolutionstosupportthedecisionsthatcitiesandorganizationswillhavetomake.Informationcanalsohaveasignificantimpactonthedecisionsofindividuals—particularlyintheareasofhomeenergyandtransportation.OurproductslikeMaps,Search,andNestreachbillionsofusersaroundtheworld,andwe’rebuildingmanyfeaturestorespondtothedemandforthatinformationinourproducts.Giventhescaleoftheproblem,innovationwillalsobekeytogettingustoabetterfuture.Inordertopushthefrontiersofinnovation,Googlehaslonghadaworld-classresearchorganizationthat’sbeenattheforefrontofAIandmachinelearning.Thesesolutionscanhelpinpredictingmoreextremeweather(floodforecasting,forinstance),optimizingsystemsfromtrafficlightstocarroutes,andmitigatingclimatechangeinnewways,forexample.Inour2023EnvironmentalReport,we’rehighlightinghowthesethemesofinformationandinnovationrunthroughmuchofourwork:Forinformation,we’llfeatureGoogleTrendsinsightsalongsidekeyinitiativestoshowhowourworkisinformedbysocietaltrendsandexpectations.Andforinnovation,we’llcalloutthemanyplaceswhereAIishelpingtobreakdownbarriersandadvanceourwork.OvermytenureatGoogle,I’veseenhowwe’vebeenworkingtointegratesustainabilityintoourwork.Thistransitionisgoingtobechallenging—bothforusandfortheworldatlarge—andthere’snoplaybookformakingithappen.Butweseeoureffortsaspartofabiggerpicture,settingourgoalstohelpscaleglobalsolutions,andI’moptimisticthatwecan,throughoureffortsinbothinformationandinnovation,playahelpfulroleinbuildingamoresustainableandresilientfuture.BenedictGomesBenedictGomesSVP,Learning&SustainabilityGoogleBymakinginformationaccessibleandacceleratinginnovation,wecanhelpcreateamoresustainablefuture.IntroductionAppendixEmpoweringindividualsGovernanceandengagementOperatingsustainablyWorkingtogether52023EnvironmentalReportAletterfromourChiefSustainabilityOfficerIgrewupinMuirBeach,California,andwasfortunatetospendmychildhoodexploringitsbeautifulredwoodforestsandvibranttidepoolswithmyfamily.Today,I’mraisingmydaughterinthesesamespecialplaces,butnowthesedelicateecosystemsarethreatened,justlikemanyotherpartsoftheworld.Climatechangeaffectsallaspectsofsociety,fromfoodproductionandhumanhealthtoinfrastructureandtheeconomy.Theseimpactsareinterconnectedandcanhaveacascadingeffectonpeopleandtheplanet.Theresponsecallsforsystemic,globalactiontoreduceemissions,improvewatershedhealth,maximizethereuseoffiniteresources,andprotectbiodiversity.SinceGooglewasfounded,oureffortstomitigateclimatechangehavestartedwithourownoperations,andwe’veworkedhardtoleadbyexamplewiththeultimategoalofdrivinglargersystemicchange.Inourthirddecadeofclimateaction,we’llcontinuetotakeascience-basedapproachtoourefforts,whilesharingourownlessonsandprogresswithothers.IjoinedGoogleeightyearsagotoleadoursustainabilityefforts,andhavewitnessedoursenseofurgencyandambitionfirsthand.We’reempoweringindividuals,governments,businesses,andotherorganizationstomakedecisionsthatcandrivepositiveactionforpeopleandourplanet.Theopportunitywehavethroughourproductsandplatformsisreflectedinourupdatedenvironmentalsustainabilitystrategy,whichfocusesonwherewecanmakethemostsignificantpositiveimpact.Ourworkisorganizedaroundthreekeypillars:empoweringindividualstotakeaction,workingtogetherwithourpartnersandcustomers,andoperatingourbusinesssustainably.In2022,wereachedourgoaltohelp1billionpeoplemakemoresustainablechoicesthroughourproducts.Weachievedthisbyofferingsustainabilityfeatureslikeeco-friendlyroutinginGoogleMaps,energyefficiencyfeaturesinGoogleNestthermostats,andcarbonemissionsinformationinGoogleFlights.Lookingahead,ouraspirationistohelpindividuals,cities,andotherpartnerscollectivelyreduce1gigatonoftheircarbonequivalentemissionsannuallyby2030.2Aftertwoyearsofcondensedreporting,we’resharingadeeperdiveintoourapproachinoneplaceinour2023EnvironmentalReport.In2022,wecontinuedtomakemeasurableprogressinmanykeyways,suchas:•Weenhancedandlaunchednewsustainabilityproductfeatures,suchaseco-friendlyroutinginMaps,whichisestimatedtohavehelpedpreventmorethan1.2millionmetrictonsofcarbonemissionsfromlaunchthrough2022—equivalenttotakingapproximately250,000fuel-basedcarsofftheroadforayear.3•WeexpandedtheavailabilityofGoogleEarthEngine—whichprovidesaccesstoreliable,up-to-dateinsightsonhowourplanetischanging—toincludebusinessesandgovernmentsworldwideasanenterprise-gradeservicethroughGoogleCloud.•WeopenedournewBayViewcampus,whichisall-electric,netwater-positive,restoresover17acresofhigh-valuenature,andincorporatestheleadingprinciplesofcirculardesign.•Wesigned20morerenewableenergyagreements,bringingourtotaltomorethan80agreementstotalingapproximately10GWofcleanenergygenerationcapacity—weestimatewe’llspendapproximately$10billiontopurchasecleanenergythrough2040.4Weexpectthisneweraoftechnologicalinnovationtoopenupevengreateropportunitiestoacceleratesystem-levelchange.It’sabigpartofthereasonwe’reoptimisticaboutwhat’spossibleintheyearsahead.Ifwemoveforwardcollectivelyanddecisively,there’snolimittowhatwecanachieve.KateE.BrandtKateE.BrandtChiefSustainabilityOfficerGoogleIn2022,wesignedcontractsforapproximately2.8GWofcleanenergygenerationcapacity—morethaninanyprioryear.IntroductionAppendixEmpoweringindividualsGovernanceandengagementOperatingsustainablyWorkingtogether62023EnvironmentalReportHighlightsThissectionprovidesasnapshotofourhighlightsasoftheendof2022,andselecthighlightsfromthefirsthalfof2023.Foramorecompleteoverviewofourperformanceovertime,seetheTargetsandprogresssummarysectionandourEnvironmentaldatatables.Empoweringindividuals1billionusersOurcoreproductshelpedmorethan1billionusersmakemoresustainablechoicesin20221.2millionmetrictonsofestimatedcarbonemissionsreductionsenabledbyGoogleMapseco-friendlyroutingasoftheendof2022—equivalenttotakingapproximately250,000fuel-basedcarsofftheroadforayear5113billionkWhofenergycumulativelysavedbycustomersusingNestthermostatsfrom2011to20226—morethandoublePortugal’sannualelectricityconsumption7andequivalenttopreventinganestimated36milliontCO2eemissions899%ofitinerariesonGoogleFlightsincludedcarbonemissionsestimatesWorkingtogether40,000+citiesEnvironmentalInsightsExplorermadeactionableclimatedataavailabletomorethan40,000citiesandprovidedTreeCanopyInsightstomorethan350cities400startupssupportedbyourStartupsforSustainableDevelopmentprograminover60countries,andglobalresearchers,academics,andNGOssupportedwithclimate-andnature-relateddataandanalytics80countriesareincludedinourFloodHubplatform,covering460millionpeopleglobally,andreal-timewildfireboundariesinSearchandMapsareavailableincitiesaroundtheworld100sofsourcesofsustainabilitydata,frommostOECDcountries,aggregatedbyDataCommons—makingdatamoreaccessibleandusefulforaddressingsustainabilitychallengesOperatingsustainably10+GWofcleanenergygenerationcapacityfrommorethan80signedagreementsfrom2010to2022—theequivalentcapacityofmorethan31millionsolarpanels271milliongallonsofwaterreplenishedasoftheendof2022—equivalenttomorethan400Olympic-sizedswimmingpools100%ofPixel,Nest,andChromecastdeviceslaunchedin2022includerecycledmaterials944acresofnativehabitatrestoredonourBayAreacampusesasoftheendof2022IntroductionAppendixEmpoweringindividualsGovernanceandengagementOperatingsustainablyWorkingtogether72023EnvironmentalReportOursustainabilitystrategyWebelieveGooglehasauniqueopportunitythatextendsbeyondmanagingtheenvironmentalimpactsofourownoperationsandvaluechain.Bymakinginformationaccessibleandbydrivinginnovationforwardthroughourproductsandplatformsthatbillionsofpeopleengagewitheveryday,we’rehelpingindividuals,businesses,andotherorganizationsmakedecisionsthatcandrivepositiveactionforpeopleandourplanet.Inshapingourstrategy,weconsiderwherewecanmakethemostsignificantpositiveimpact.Ourworkisfocusedonthreekeypillars:empoweringindividualstotakeaction,workingtogetherwithourpartnersandcustomers,andoperatingourbusinesssustainably.InformationandinnovationWe’rehelpingtoleadthetransitiontoamoresustainablefuturebymakinginformationaccessibleandbydrivinginnovationforward.EmpoweringindividualstotakeactionWe’reempoweringpeoplewiththeinformationthey’reseekingtohelpmakemoresustainablechoicesintheireverydaylives.LearnmoreintheEmpoweringindividualssectionWorkingtogetherwithourpartnersandcustomersWe’rehelpingpartnersandcustomerstoreducetheiremissionsandachievesustainabilitygoalsbyadvancingtransformativetechnologyforsustainabilityandclimateaction.LearnmoreintheWorkingtogethersectionOperatingourbusinesssustainablyWe’rebuildingonourlegacyofsustainabilityleadershipbyacceleratingthetransitiontoanet-zerocarbonfuture,advancingwaterstewardship,buildingacirculareconomy,andprotectingnatureandbiodiversity.LearnmoreintheOperatingsustainablysectionIntroductionAppendixEmpoweringindividualsGovernanceandengagementOperatingsustainablyWorkingtogether82023EnvironmentalReportTargetsandprogresssummaryTopicTargetUnit20212022TargetyearStatusProductimpactHelp1billionpeoplemakemoresustainablechoicesthroughourMorethanAchievedProductsUsersN/A2022productsby20221billion10(seepg.14)OperationaltargetsNet-zerocarbonAchievenet-zeroemissionsacrossallofouroperationsandvaluechainby2030CarbonReduce50%ofourcombinedScope1,2(market-based),OngoingtCO2eemissionsN/A10.2million11before2030reductionand3absoluteemissions(versusour2019baseline)before2030(seepg.36)Carbon-freeOngoingRunon24/7carbon-freeenergyoneverygridwhereweoperateby2030%carbon-freeenergy66%64%122030energy(seepg.43)WaterstewardshipReplenishmorewaterthanweconsumeandhelpimprovewaterqualityandecosystemhealthinthecommunitieswhereweoperateWaterReplenish120%ofthefreshwatervolumeweconsume,%freshwaterOngoingN/A6%2030replenishmentonaverage,acrossourofficesanddatacentersby2030replenished(seepg.52)CirculareconomyMaximizethereuseoffiniteresourcesacrossouroperations,products,andsupplychainsData%ofdatacentersatOngoingAchieveZeroWastetoLandfillforourglobaldatacenteroperations30%38%N/AcentersZeroWastetoLandfill(seepg.57)OngoingOfficesDivertallfoodwastefromlandfillby2025%foodwastedivertedN/A85%2025(seepg.60)ConsumerhardwareproductsUserecycledorrenewablematerialinatleast50%ofplasticusedacross%recycled/Ongoing36%41%2025ourconsumerhardwareproductportfolioby2025renewablematerial(seepg.62)%plastic-freeOngoingMakeproductpackaging100%plastic-freeby202597%96%2025packaging(seepg.63)SignificantAchieveUL2799ZeroWastetoLandfillcertificationatallfinalSupplychain%ofsitescertified9%90%2022progressassemblyconsumerhardwaremanufacturingsitesby2022(seepg.65)IntroductionAppendixEmpoweringindividualsGovernanceandengagementOperatingsustainablyWorkingtogether92023EnvironmentalReportEmergingopportunitiesAstheworldbecomesincreasinglyawareoftheneedforsustainability,individuals,businesses,andcommunitiesarelookingfornewwaystoreducetheirenvironmentalimpact.Artificialintelligence(AI)andthepowerofinformationtohelpindividualsandorganizationsreduceemissionsaretwoemergingopportunitiesthatGoogleisfocusingontohelpbuildamoresustainablefuture.AIforsustainabilitySevenyearsintoourjourneyasanAI-firstcompany,we’vemadeAIfoundationaltoeverypartofourbusinessandallGoogleproducts.OurapproachtoAImustbebothboldandresponsible.Tous,thatmeansdevelopingAIinawaythatmaximizesthepositivebenefitstosocietywhileaddressingthechallenges,guidedbyourAIPrinciples.WecanuseAItohelpacceleratesolutionstotackleclimatechangebyprovidingbetterinformationtoindividuals,operationaloptimizationfororganizations,andimprovedpredictionandforecasting.WemustalsocontinuetofindwaystoreducetheenvironmentalfootprintofAImodels.Information:EmpoweringpeopletolivemoresustainablythroughAI.In2022,searchesfor“solarenergy,”“electricbicycles,”and“electriccars”reachedall-timehighs.13Peopleareinterestedinhowtolivemoresustainably,andourgoalistomakeiteasierforthemtodoso.Featureslikeeco-friendlyroutinginGoogleMapsleverageAItohelppeoplegettotheirdestinationsasquicklyaspossiblewhileminimizingfuelorbatteryconsumption.Eco-friendlyroutinghashelpedprevent1.2millionmetrictonsofestimatedcarbonemissionssincelaunch—equivalenttotakingapproximately250,000fuel-basedcarsofftheroadforayear.14Additionally,foroveradecade,ourNestLearningThermostatshaveusedmachinelearning(ML)tohelppeoplesaveenergyandmoneyathome.From2011to2022,Nestthermostatshavehelpedcustomerscumulativelysavemorethan113billionkWhofenergy15—morethandoublePortugal’sannualelectricityconsumption16andequivalenttoavoidinganestimated36milliontCO2eemissions.17Optimization:Bringingcarbon-efficientcomputingtocustomersandpartners.We’vemadesignificantinvestmentsincleanercloudcomputingbymakingourdatacenterssomeofthemostefficientintheworldandsourcingmorecarbon-freeenergy.We’rehelpingourcustomersmakereal-timedecisionstoreduceemissions,andmitigateclimateriskswithdataandAI.Forexample,GoogleCloudcustomerscanreducetheircloudfootprintwithafeaturecalledActiveAssist,whichusesmachinelearningtoidentifyunused(andpotentiallywasteful)workloadsthatcouldreducecarbonemissionsifremoved.Ourplanet,asseenviaGoogleEarth©2020Landsat/CopernicusWebelievethatAIisafoundationalandtransformationaltechnologythatwillprovidecompellingandhelpfulbenefitstopeopleandsocietythroughitscapacitytoassist,complement,empower,andinspirepeopleinalmosteveryfieldofhumanendeavor.Ithasthepotentialtocontributetotacklingsomeofsociety’smostpressingchallengesandopportunities—amongthese,climateandsustainability,wherewe’reresearchingandinnovatingtohelpunlockscientificdiscoveriesandtoassistpeopleinmakinginformedchoicesandcommunitiesimpactedbyclimatechange.WebelievethatgettingAIright—whichtousinvolvesinnovatinganddeliveringwidelyaccessiblebenefitstopeopleandsociety,whilemitigatingitsrisks—mustbeacollectiveeffortinvolvingusandothers,includingresearchers,developers,users(individuals,businesses,andotherorganizations),governments,regulators,andcitizens.It’scriticalthatwecollectivelyearnpublictrustifAIistodeliveronitspotentialforpeopleandsociety.Asacompany,weembracetheopportunitytoworkwithotherstogetAIright.JamesManyikaSVP,Research,Technology,&SocietyGoogleIntroductionAppendixEmpoweringindividualsGovernanceandengagementOperatingsustainablyWorkingtogether102023EnvironmentalReportWe’remakingadvancementsinmanytransformativeareasofAI,butI’mparticularlyexcitedaboutAIforSocialGood,includingclimateadaptation.AIhasgreatpotentialtobothreduceoverallemissionsaswellashelpusaddresstheeffectsofclimatechange,includinghelpingpeopleadapttonewchallenges.JeffDeanChiefScientistGoogleDeepMindandGoogleResearchOptimization:HelpingcommunitieswithAI-poweredclimateactionplanning.GreenLightisanAI-basedtoolthathelpscitytrafficengineersoptimizethetimingoflightchangestoreducestop-and-gotraffic.OurrecenttestsinHamburg,Germany,showedthatattrafficlightswithourAI-drivenrecommendations,carsmadeover25%fewerstops,resultinginapproximately10%feweremissions.18TheEnvironmentalInsightsExplorer(EIE)isafreelyavailableonlinetoolbuiltwithandforcitiesandregionstosupporteffectiveclimateactionplanning.ManyfeaturesinEIEaremadepossiblethroughmachinelearning,suchasestimatingthesolarpotentialofrooftops,calculatingtransportationemissions,andmappingtreecanopycoverage.Prediction:UsingAItohelpcommunitiesaddressextremeweatherevents.AI-poweredtoolscanhelpaddresssomeoftheworstimpactsofclimate-relateddisasters,fromearlywarningsofnaturaldisasterstoreducingtheimpactofwildfires.In2022,welaunchedFloodHub,whichallowslocalgovernmentsandaidorganizationstoidentifywhenariverinefloodwilloccur,uptosevendaysinadvance.Inearly2023,weexpandedthistoolfrom20to80countriesacrosstheglobe.ByusingAItoanalyzesatelliteimagery,we’realsohelpingtoenablerapiddetectionwhenawildfirestartsandtopredicthowitwillspread,enablingauthoritiestobettermanagefiresandprovideemergencyalertstoindividualswhoareatrisk.Prediction:UsingAItopredictlocustoutbreaks,helpingfarmersprotecttheircrops.Locustinfestationscanhaveadevastatingeffectonfoodcrops.ThroughcollaborationswithAIproduct-focusedcompanyInstaDeepandtheFoodandAgricultureOrganization(FAO)oftheUnitedNations,theGoogleAICenterinGhanaisbuildingamodelthatforecastslocustbreedinggroundsusinghistoricaldatafromtheFAOandenvironmentalvariableslikerainfallandtemperature.Thismodelwillhelptobetterdetectlocustoutbreaksandenablefarmerstoimplementcontrolmeasures.Prediction:Usinggenerativemodelingfornowcastingrain.We’reusinggenerativemodelingtomakedetailedandplausiblepredictions,uptotwohoursahead,thatcapturetheamount,timing,andlocationofrainfall.Withsuchmethods,wecanbothaccuratelycapturelarge-scaleevents,whilealsogeneratingalternativerainscenarios.We’reinterestedintheabilityofthesemodelstomakepredictionsonmedium-toheavy-rainevents,whichmostimpactpeopleandtheeconomy.Environmentalfootprint:LeveragingAItooptimizeourownoperations,andworkingtoreduceenergyuseandemissionsfromAIcomputinginourdatacenters.AIandmachinelearningworkloadsarequicklybecominglargerandmorecapable,raisingconcernsabouttheirenergyuseandtheirimpactontheenvironment.WithAIataninflectionpoint,predictingthefuturegrowthofenergyuseandemissionsfromAIcomputeinourdatacentersischallenging.Historically,researchhasshownthatasAI/MLcomputedemandhasgoneup,theenergyneededtopowerthistechnologyhasincreasedatamuchslowerratethanmanyforecastspredicted.Wehaveusedtestedpracticestoreducethecarbonfootprintofworkloadsbylargemargins;togethertheseprincipleshavereducedtheenergyoftrainingamodelbyupto100xandemissionsbyupto1,000x.WeplantocontinueapplyingthesetestedpracticesandtokeepdevelopingnewwaystomakeAIcomputingmoreefficient.Googledatacentersaredesigned,built,andoperatedtomaximizeefficiency—evenascomputingdemandgrows.Onaverage,aGoogle-ownedand-operateddatacenterismorethan1.5timesasenergyefficientasatypicalenterprisedatacenter19and,comparedwithfiveyearsago,wenowdeliverapproximatelythreetimesasmuchcomputingpowerwiththesameamountofelectricalpower.20TosupportthenextgenerationoffundamentaladvancesinAI,ourlatestTPUv4isproventobeoneofthefastest,mostefficient,andmostsustainableMLinfrastructurehubsintheworld.We’reexcitedabouttheprogresswe’vealreadymadeindevelopingmoresustainabletoolsandproductsthatharnessthepowerofAI,andwe’reoptimisticabouttheprogresswe’llunlockintheyearsahead.AIisoneofthemosttransformationaltechnologiesofourtime.Ibelieveithasthepotentialtounlockmajorbenefitsforusall,includingtacklingclimatechange.AtGoogleDeepMind,we’recommittedtodrivingresponsibleresearchthatcanmakeapositiveandlastingimpactonsociety.I’mhopefulAIwillacceleratescientificprogressandhelpusaddressanumberofglobalchallengestoleavetheworldabetterplaceforthegenerationsthatfollow.LilaIbrahimChiefOperatingOfficerGoogleDeepMindArowofserversinourSt.Ghislain,Belgium,datacenterIntroductionAppendixEmpoweringindividualsGovernanceandengagementOperatingsustainablyWorkingtogether112023EnvironmentalReportOurgigatonaspirationWebelievethatGooglehasauniqueopportunitythatextendsbeyondreducingtheenvironmentalimpactsofourownoperationsandvaluechain.21In2020,Googlesharedouraspirationtohelpothersreduce1gigaton(GT)oftheircarbonequivalentemissionsannuallyby2030.Thisisanambitiousvisionthatwe’vesettopushustocontributemeaningfullytohelpingwithclimatesolutionsbeyondourownoperationsandvaluechain.Weinitiallyfocusedonhelpingcitiesandlocalgovernmentsreduce1GTofemissions.AkeytoolinthiseffortistheEnvironmentalInsightsExplorer(EIE),whichprovidesactionableclimateandsustainabilitydatatogovernmentofficialsincitiesandregionsworldwide.It’sbeenusedinmultiplewaysacrosstheglobe,includingbycityleadersinDublintoanalyzebicycleusageandinformsmarttransportationpolicies,andbythecityofAustintoprioritizeplantingtreesinareaswiththehighestneed.Tobetterreflectthebroadergroupofpartnersweaimtohelp,we’reupdatingoursharedambition:ASPIRATIONWeaimtohelpindividuals,cities,andotherpartnerscollectivelyreduce1gigatonoftheircarbonequivalentemissionsannuallyby2030.Forcontext,1GTiscomparabletotheentireannualemissionsofJapan.22Helpingotherstoreduce1GTofcarbonequivalentemissionsperyear,startingin2030,isaboldaspirationfocusedonwherewecanhavethemostimpact—enablingotherstoreduceemissionsinkeyareaslikeenergyandtransportation.Ourultimatemeasureofsuccesswillbehowmuchwe’vehelpedindividuals,cities,andotherpartnerstoachievetheirowngreenhousegas(GHG)emissionsreductiongoals.Manyofthesolutionstoachieveagigatonofcarbonemissionreductionsdon’tyetexist.Howeverthisambitionpushesustoinnovateandbeaudaciousinourapproachandtocollaboratewithotherstodrivesystemicsolutions.We’llshareprogressandlearningsalongtheway.EstimatingimpactEstimatingthecarbonimpactofactionstakenbymanymillionsofpeople,communities,andorganizationswillbeinherentlydifficult,imprecise,andfundamentallydifferentfrommeasuringacorporatecarbonfootprint.However,it’salsousefultoenableustoprioritizethemosthelpfulsolutionsforothers.Afterreviewingemergingbestpracticesandapplyingourinternalproductmeasurementexpertisetoadvanceourmeasurementwork,we’veidentifiedasetofapproachesandknownchallengesthatwillinformhowweestimateenabledemissionsreductions.ApproachesConsidercarbonaccountingprinciplesEstablishedcarbonaccountingprinciples(suchaswell-definedbaselinesandtrueandfairrepresentationofdata)providehelpfulinsightsaswedevelopestimationmethodologiesforenabledemissionsreductions.QuantifyandevaluaterealworldactionThedataavailabletousfromourtechnology,products,orservicesmaybeseveralstepsremovedfromactual,real-worldactionandimpactthatresultedinreducedoravoidedemissions.We’llhavetouseinferenceandjudgmenttoevaluatetheeffectofthoseactions.ChallengesUnintendedimpactsEmissionsreductioneffortsdon’thappeninisolation.Actionsinoneindustryorsectormightresultinnetnewemissionsinanother.Similarly,emissionsreductionsinoneareacansometimesleadtoincreasesinanother.Thesearedifficulteffectstocontrolfor,buttheymustbeconsideredwhenestimatingenabledemissionsreductions.InherentuncertaintyUncertaintyisinherenttomostGHGaccountingmethodologiesandresults,anditincreaseswhenconsideringenabledemissionsreductionsduetoalackofprimarydataandpreciseinformationaboutreal-worldactionsandtheireffects.However,understandingthesources,types,andmagnitudeofuncertaintyiscrucialtodeployconservativeestimates,informimproveddatainputs,andproperlyinterpretresults.Whilecarbonaccountingprinciplesandtheseconceptsareagoodstarttowardsestimatingenabledemissionsreductions,weexpectthatmethodologieswillrapidlyevolve,andwewelcometheopportunitytocollaboratewithotherstoadvancebestpractices.TheEmpoweringindividualsandWorkingtogethersectionsincludemanyexamplesofhowwe’realreadysupportingandenablingindividualsandpartnerstoreducetheiremissions.TheEnvironmentalInsightsExplorermakesactionableclimatedataavailabletomorethan40,000citiesandregionsworldwide.IntroductionAppendixEmpoweringindividualsGovernanceandengagementOperatingsustainablyWorkingtogether122023EnvironmentalReportEmpoweringindividualsWe’reempoweringpeoplewithinformationtomakemoresustainablechoicesOurambitionOurapproachHelpingpeoplemakemoresustainablechoicesReducinghomeenergyuseProvidingsustainabletransportationoptionsSharingotheractionableinformationThejourneyaheadIntroductionAppendixEmpoweringindividualsGovernanceandengagementOperatingsustainablyWorkingtogether132023EnvironmentalReportOurambitionAtGoogle,wehaveanopportunitytoleadthetransitiontoamoresustainablefuturebymakinginformationaccessibleandbydrivinginnovationforward.Groundedinourmission,we’reempoweringpeoplewiththehigh-qualityinformationthey’relookingfor.Throughourproductsandplatformsthatbillionsofusersengagewitheveryday,we’rehelpingpeoplemakedecisionsthatcandrivepositiveactionforourplanet.Lastyear’sIntergovernmentalPanelonClimateChange(IPCC)AR6WorkingGroup3Report,forthefirsttime,setoutmeasurablewaysthatindividualscantakemeaningfulclimateactioninlinewiththeParisAgreement.TheIPCCreportoffersadetailedandpracticalplanforsocietalemissionsreduction,complementingthecriticalactionrequiredbygovernments,policymakers,andorganizationstodecarbonizeenergy,transport,andmaterialsystems.Thereportalsocalculatesthesignificantwell-beingandeconomicbenefitsthatwillresultfromtheseactions,includingforindividuals.TheseimportantfindingshavereinforcedourconvictionthatGooglecanmakeameaningfuldifferencebeyondourownoperationsandvaluechain,andtheyhighlightthebenefitsofhelpingindividualsthroughourproductsandplatforms.OurapproachEveryday,billionsofpeopleturntoGoogletoaskquestions,discoversomethingnew,orlearnaboutwhat’simportanttothem.Morepeopleareinterestedinhowtolivemoresustainablythanever,andouraimistomakeiteasierforthemtodoso.In2022,searchesfor“solarenergy,”“electricbicycles,”and“electriccars”reachedall-timehighs.23Thesekindsofchangestolifestylesandbehaviormatter:theInternationalEnergyAgency(IEA)estimatesthataround55%ofthecumulativeemissionsreductionsneededtoachieveanet-zeroglobalenergysystemby2050arelinkedtoconsumerchoices.Yet,there’sawide“say-dogap”amongconsumers—betweenthosewhoareconcernedaboutsustainability,andthosewhoultimatelymakesustainabledecisions.24Totackleaproblematthescaleofclimatechange,itcanbehardtoknowwheretostart.That’swhywe’vetakenafirst-principlesapproach,lookingatwhat’scontributingthemosttoglobalemissions.Homeenergyandtransportationaretwosuchareas—collectivelytheyaccountformorethan20%ofemissions.25They’realsosectorswherepeopleareactivelysearchingforsustainablealternativesthatoftenprovidebenefitslikesavingthemmoneyortime,orimprovingtheirhealth.Theaccuracyandqualityoftheinformationthatinformsthesedecisionsiscritical.Whenpeoplecometouslookingforanswers,weaimtoprovidehigh-qualityandauthoritativeinformation.FIGURE1SeehybridandelectricvehicleoptionsonGoogleSearchWhenpeoplesearchforcarmodelsandbrands,wetaghybridandelectricoptionstomakethemeasiertofind.AndwhenpeoplelookintoaspecificEV,weshowcompatiblechargingstationsnearbyandtypicalchargetimes.IntroductionAppendixEmpoweringindividualsGovernanceandengagementOperatingsustainablyWorkingtogether142023EnvironmentalReportHelpingpeoplemakemoresustainablechoicesIn2020,weannouncedagoaltohelp1billionpeoplemakemoresustainablechoicesthroughourproductsby2022.We’repleasedtosharethatwereachedthatgoalin2022,throughinnovativesolutionsofferedtousers,including:•GoogleNest:Programmableenergyefficiencyschedulesforhomesthatcanhelpuserssaveenergy,money,andcarbonemissionsthroughouttheday.•GoogleMaps:Eco-friendlyroutingfeaturethatshowsusersthemostfuel-efficientroute,basedonfactorssuchastrafficandroadincline.•GoogleTravel:Userscanseeassociatedcarbonemissionsfornearlyeveryflight,sustainabilitycertificationsandattributesforhotels,andquicklyfindmoresustainableoptions.Nestthermostatshelppeoplesaveenergyathome.TARGETHelp1billionpeoplemakemoresustainablechoicesthroughourproductsby20222022PROGRESSAchieved:Helpedmorethan1billionusersmakemoresustainablechoicesDETAILSYearset:2020Baseyear:N/ATargetyear:2022Scope:Unique,signed-inGoogleusersthatwereprovidedinformationsotheycouldmakeamoresustainablechoicebyatleastonesustainabilityproductfeature.ReducinghomeenergyuseWe’velaunchedanumberofproductsandfeaturestohelppeoplemakemoreinformedchoicesabouttheproductstheybuyandtheenergytheyuse.Energy-efficientproductsSearchesfor“howtosaveenergy”reacheda10-yearhigh,worldwide,in2022.26Andglobalsearchesfor“heatpumps”reachedanall-timehighin2022.27WhensomeoneusesGoogleSearchintheU.S.tolookforfurnacesorwaterheaters,suggestionsintheShoppingtabcanhelpnarrowtheirsearchtocost-effectiveandefficientoptions(seeFigure2).FIGURE2GoogleShoppingfeatureforwaterheatersIntroductionAppendixEmpoweringindividualsGovernanceandengagementOperatingsustainablyWorkingtogether152023EnvironmentalReportSmartthermostatsNestthermostatshelpcontrolresidentialheatingandcoolingsystems,savingenergyinavarietyofways.Thecollectiveimpactofthesesavingsissignificant.From2011to2022,Nestthermostatshavehelpedcustomerscumulativelysavemorethan113billionkWhofenergy28—morethandoublePortugal’sannualelectricityconsumption29—andequivalenttopreventinganestimated36milliontCO2eemissions.30In2022alone,Nestthermostatshelpedcustomerssavemorethan26billionkWhofenergy31—moreenergythanGoogleusedinthesameyear.NestthermostatsuseAIandmachinelearningtoreduceenergyconsumptionandachievecollectivesavingsastheylearnhowandwhentokeepcustomerscomfortable,whileoptimizingforenergyefficiency.CleanenergyBecauseelectricitygridstendtobecleaneratcertaintimesofday,whenweuseelectricitycanbeasimportantashowmuchelectricityweuse.That’swhywelaunchedNestRenewintheUnitedStatestohelpindividualsautomaticallyshifttheirenergyconsumptiontotimesofdaywhenlocalgridelectricityiscleanerorlessexpensiveFeaturessuchasEnergyShiftgatherlocalpowergridemissionsforecastsandidentifyopportunitieswhereheatingorcoolingahomeslightlyearlierorlaterwouldmeantakingadvantageofcleanerenergy.Thesesmallactionsaddup;asofDecember2022,weestimatethatEnergyShift32hasalreadyhelpedNestRenewusers33collectivelyprioritizecleanerenergyusageformorethan110millionhours.Forpeoplewhowanttodomoretosupportthegrowthofcleanenergyfromtheirhomes,GoogleoffersNestRenewPremiumasapaidsubscriptionoption.ItmatchesthefossilfuelelectricityusedintheirhomewithenoughcleanenergytocovertheaverageU.S.household.We’reworkingwithrenewableenergyplantsthatsupportprojectsinGoogle’sownportfolio—liketheBethelWindplantinCastroCounty,Texas—topurchasehigh-qualityrenewableenergycreditsforNestRenewcustomers,beyondGoogle’sexistingcleanenergypurchases.PeoplecanalsoaccessfeatureslikeimpactreportsandtheEnergyImpactProgram,whichletsthemdirectNestRenewfundstononprofitpartnersworkingtowardanequitablesustainablefuture(seeFigure3).2022HIGHLIGHTIn2022alone,Nestthermostatshelpedcustomerssavemorethan26billionkWhofenergy34—moreenergythanGoogleusedinthesameyear.FIGURE3NestRenewfeaturesIntroductionAppendixEmpoweringindividualsGovernanceandengagementOperatingsustainablyWorkingtogether162023EnvironmentalReportInformationaboutenergyGlobalsearchinterestin“eco-anxiety”reacheda15-yearhighin2022,asdidsearchinterestinhowto“saveenergyathome,”35showingusthatpeoplewant—andneedanswers.DuetotheenergycrisisinEurope,people,businesses,andgovernmentsacrossthecontinentareconcernedaboutrisingpricesandincreasedpressureontheenergygrid,whichisevidentfromtheinformationthey’researchingfor.In2022,weworkedwiththeIEAtorapidlydevelopasetofrecommendationstohelpindividualsreduceenergyuseathome.Whenpeoplesearchedfortopicssuchas“Europeenergycrisis”and“energyprice”,theysawnewsarticles,localinformationincludingfinancialassistancethatmaybeavailable,andrecommendedactionstohelpconserveenergy(seeFigure4).FIGURE4EuropeenergyinformationpanelsGoingsolarGlobalsearchinterestin“solarenergy”and“solarinstallation”reachedall-timehighsin2022.36ProjectSunroof,launchedin2015intheUnitedStatesandPuertoRico,helpspeopledecidewhethertogosolar.ItusesAItoanalyzehigh-resolutionaerialmappingand3Dmodelingofresidentialroofs,makingestimationsofsolarpotentialfasterandeasier.ExploringpotentialsolarcapacityforhomesinSanFrancisco,CaliforniaintheProjectSunrooftool.IntroductionAppendixEmpoweringindividualsGovernanceandengagementOperatingsustainablyWorkingtogether172023EnvironmentalReportProvidingsustainabletransportationoptionsGlobalsearchinterestin“sustainabletransport”reacheda15-yearhighin2022.37Transportationreliesmoreheavilyonfossilfuelsthananyothersector.38Thisiswhy,forpeopleinmosthigh-incomecountries,changingtravelpatternsisahigh-impactwaytoreducetheirfootprint.We’veaddedseveralfeaturesacrossourproductstoallowpeopletomoreeasilymakesustainabletravelandtransportationdecisions.Eco-friendlyroutingAsimplethingeveryonecandotoreduceemissionsisuseexistingvehiclesmoreefficiently.Globalsearchesfor“howtosavefuelwhendriving”haveincreasedby60%between2022and2023.39In2021,welaunchedeco-friendlyroutinginGoogleMapstohelppeoplegettotheirdestinationsasquicklyaspossiblewhileminimizingfuelorbatteryconsumption(seeFigure5).BybuildingAImodelsontheemissionsprofileofdiversevehicletypes,thisfeatureleveragesinsightsfromtheU.S.DepartmentofEnergy’sNationalRenewableEnergyLaboratoryanddatafromtheEuropeanEnvironmentAgencytooptimizefuel-efficientroutechoices.FIGURE5Eco-friendlyroutingIn2022,weexpandedeco-friendlyroutingtoCanadaandnearly40Europeancountries,aswellasinEgyptaheadofCOP-27.Asoftheendof2022,it’sestimatedtohavehelpedpreventmorethan1.2millionmetrictonsofcarbonemissionssincelaunch—equivalenttotakingapproximately250,000fuel-basedcarsofftheroadforayear.40Sincethemostfuel-efficientroutewillvarybyenginetype,driversusingeco-friendlyroutinginEurope,Egypt,theU.S.,andCanadacannowselecttheirenginetype—petrolorgas,diesel,hybrid,orelectricvehicle(EV)—inordertogetthebestrouteandmostaccuratefuelorenergyefficiencyestimates.ElectricvehiclesEVsaccountedfornearly14%ofnewglobalcarsalesin2022,41andglobalsearchinterestfor“electricvehicles”reachedanall-timehighin2022.42Forpeopleconsideringpurchasinganewvehicle,wewanttomakeiteasytounderstandwhenswitchingtoahybridorelectricvehiclemakessenseforthem.Searchcanhelppeoplefigureouthowmuchtheycansavebygoingelectricbyprovidingfuelsavingsestimatesandinformationabouthowsimilarcarscompareinrangeandemissions.WealsoshowwhichmodelsqualifyintheU.S.underthelatestgovernmentrebateprogramsdesignedtohelpmakeEVsamoreaffordableoption.Forpeopleconsideringanewbikeorscooter,inselectAsiancountries,Searchprovidesinformationsuchasrange,speed,andpriceforelectricbikesandscooters.WhenEVownerssearchfor“EVcharging”onGoogleMaps,they’llseechargingstationsnearbywithchargeravailabilitydisplayedinsomecases.PeoplewithacarthathasGoogleMapsbuiltinareroutedtothemostconvenientcharginglocationbasedonfactorsliketraffic,chargelevels,andchargerspeed.Bytheendof2022,GoogleMapsincludednearly300,000EVcharginglocationsglobally.IntheWazeapp,individualscanalsofindcompatiblechargingstationsalongtheirroute.ThankstolocalmapeditorsfromourWazeCommunity,EVdataisreviewedandupdatedinrealtimetoprovidethemostaccurate,comprehensiveinformation.AnEVpluggedinatachargingstation.FindingaplacetochargeyourEViseasywithGoogleMaps.IntroductionAppendixEmpoweringindividualsGovernanceandengagementOperatingsustainablyWorkingtogether182023EnvironmentalReportSustainablecommutingOnesustainablewaytotravelistoavoiddrivingaltogether,whichiswhywe’remakingiteasiertouseGoogleMapsforsustainablecommutinginurbanareas,byprovidingmasstransitoptions,bikeroutes,bikeshares,andwalkingdirections.BytappingontheGoogleMapstransiticon,individualscangetdirectionstotheirdestinationbybus,train,subway,andevenferry.GoogleMapsprovides,onaverage,morethan2billionkilometers(1.2billionmiles)ofpublictransitresultsperday.Globalsearchesfor“e-bikes”havedoubledoverthepastthreeyears.43In2022,weaddedover90,000kilometers(56,000miles)ofbikelanesandbikeableroadstoGoogleMaps.Individualscanalsofindnearbybikeandscootersharesinover400citiesaroundtheworld.We’realsohelpingpeoplegetfrompointAtopointBonfoot.GoogleMapsoffersturn-by-turndirectionsforpedestrians,withImmersiveViewandStreetViewofferingroutepreviews,andLiveView,whichusesaugmentedrealitytodisplayarrowsanddirectionsclearlyoverlaidonthemap.2022HIGHLIGHTGoogleMapsprovides,onaverage,morethan2billionkilometers(1.2billionmiles)ofpublictransitresultsperday.Long-distancetravelWhenindividualssearchinGoogleFlights,theynowseecarbonemissionsestimatesfornearlyeveryflight,rightnexttopriceandduration(seeFigure6).Loweremissionsflightsarelabeledwithagreenbadge,andresultscanbesortedorfilteredbycarbonimpact.Ifpeoplewanttoviewonlyflightsthathaveloweremissionscomparedtotheaverageforsimilartrips,theycansimplytapthe“Lessemissionsonly”filter.In2022,weexpandedcoverageofcarbonemissionsestimatesto99%ofitinerariesonGoogleFlights.FIGURE6GoogleFlightsemissionsestimatesWealsocreatedtheTravelImpactModel(TIM),apublicandfreelyaccessiblemethodologyforpredictingtheper-passengerCO2emissionsproducedbyanupcomingflight.Today,theTIMpowerstheemissionsestimatesyouseeonGoogleFlights,aswellasselecttravelsites,throughourworkintheTravalystcoalition.Overtime,we’verefinedandimprovedtheTIMwithhelpfromacademicandnonprofitexperts,aswellasvariouspartnersinthetravelindustry.WethenformalizedthesecollaborativeeffortsbyestablishinganindependentadvisorycommitteetooverseefuturechangestotheTIM.GoogleSearchcanalsohelppeoplefindmoresustainablealternativestoflyingwhenavailable.Tripstakenbytrainorbusoftenproduceloweremissionsandcanfrequentlysaveindividualstimeormoneyovershorterdistances.PeoplecannowcomparetrainticketpricesdirectlyonGoogleSearchfortravelinandaroundselectcountries.Asanexample,whenlookingfor“BerlintoViennatrains,”individualswillseeanewmoduleinthesearchresultsthatletsthemchoosetheirdeparturedateandcomparetheavailableoptions.Tofurtherexpandindividualchoicesforintercitytravel,we’vealsostartedtestingasimilarfeatureforbustickets.HotelaccommodationsWhenpeoplesearchfortravelaccommodations,theycanseewhichhotelshavebeencertifiedformeetinghighstandardsofsustainabilitybyselectindependentorganizations.Forexample,hotelscertifiedbyGreenKeyorEarthCheckwillhaveaneco-certifiedbadgenexttotheirname.IntroductionAppendixEmpoweringindividualsGovernanceandengagementOperatingsustainablyWorkingtogether192023EnvironmentalReportSharingotheractionableinformationOutsideofhomeenergyandtransportation,individualscanmakeothersustainablechoicesthatadduptocreateapositiveimpact.Thisincludesunderstandinglocalairquality,accessingclimatechangeinformation,identifyingnearbyrecyclinglocations,orpurchasingpre-owneditems.AirqualityAirqualityaroundtheworldisbeingnegativelyimpactedbyairpollutionandincreasinglyseverewildfires.We’veaddedanewAirQualityfeatureinGoogleSearchandMapsthatshowstheairqualityconditionsfortheday,whetherit’sunusuallysmoggyordangerouslysmoky.AvailableincitiesintheU.S.,Singapore,Brazil,andChile,amongotherlocations,thisdatacanhelppeopleconsidertheiractivitiesfortheday,includingwhethertostayindoors.GoogleMapsandWazebothsupportuseralertsforcleanairzones.Acleanairzoneisadesignatedurbanareawithhighairpollutionwheremeasuresareimplementedtoimproveairquality,suchascharginganentryfeetodriversofhigh-emissionsvehicles.Ifaroutecrossesacleanairzone,thedriverwillbealertedtoaddapermitiftheyownone,theneligiblerouteswillbesuggestedforthembasedonthatpass.ClimatechangeinformationWe’remakingiteasierforpeopletofindclimatechangeinformation.Whenpeoplesearchfor“climatechange”incertainlanguages,they’llseeinformationpanelsandvisualsonthecausesandeffectsofclimatechange,andindividualactionstheycantaketolivemoresustainably,providedbyauthoritativesourcesliketheUnitedNations.We’realsoengagingwithindividualsonclimateandotherenvironmentaltopicsviaYouTube.OnEarthDay2022,welaunchedaNon-FungiblePlanetcampaign,whereweteamedupwithenvironmentalnon-profits,creators,andotherorganizationstoshowwhatmakesEarthsospecialandworthprotecting.Theyjourneyedtoone-of-a-kindlocalesandcreatedvideostohighlightthestressourenvironmentisunderandwhatwecandotohelp.In2022,YouTubealsoheldourfirsteverCreatorsforClimateActionsummits,oneinNewYorkandonewithTEDCountdowninLondon.Tostaysafeduringextremeweatherevents,peopleoftenturntotheinternetwithquestions.Forexample,globalsearchinterestin“heatwaves”reachedanall-timehighinJuly2022.44Tosurfaceauthoritativeandhelpfulinformationinthesemoments,we’reprovidinginformationthroughSearchalertsonflooding,wildfireboundaries,andextremeheat.MoredetailsonhowAIenablesthesealertscanbefoundintheWorkingtogethersection.RecyclingpointsPeoplerecognizethatrecyclingplaysacrucialroleinpreservingthefutureofourplanet;globalsearchesfor“recycling”arethehighestofanysustainabilityaction.45In2021,welaunchedanewfeaturethatmakesiteasierforpeopletofindnearbyrecyclingpointsonSearchandMaps.Inadditiontoprovidinginformationonrecyclingdepotsandwastetransferstations,we’realsohelpingsmallbusinessessharewhentheyofferin-storerecycling.ByaddingthenewrecyclingattributetoBusinessProfilesonSearchandMaps,localstorefrontsandshopscanshowtherecyclingservicestheyofferinjustafewclicks—whetherit’sforplasticbottles,packaging,orelectronics.Pre-owneditemsGlobalsearchinterestin“slowfashion”reacheda15-yearhighin2022.46Andglobalsearchesfor“thrifting”havenearlytripledoverthemostrecentthree-yearperiodcomparedtothepreviousthree-yearperiod,47reachinga15-yearhighin2022.48Theapparelindustryisresponsiblefornearly7%ofglobalcarbonemissions,soclothingchoiceshaveabigimpactonreducingbothwasteandemissions.49Buyingpre-owneditemsisasmallactionpeoplecantaketolivemoresustainably.In2022,welaunchedenhancementstotheGoogleShoppingexperienceintheUnitedStatesforpre-ownedproducts,suchasusedandrefurbishedproducts.ThejourneyaheadWhileasingleindividual’sactionsmayseemsmall,whenbillionsofpeoplehavethetoolstomakemoresustainabledecisions,theyadduptohaveameaningfulimpactontheircommunitiesandtheentireplanet.We’reexcitedbytheopportunitytoenableclimateandenvironmentalactionfarbeyondGoogle’sdirectimpact,throughinformationandinnovation.LEARNMORE•Empoweringwithtechnology•GoogleMapseco-friendlyrouting•SearchingforsustainabilitywithGoogle•SupportingacleanenergyfuturewithNestRenew•ThesearchforsustainabilityIntroductionAppendixEmpoweringindividualsGovernanceandengagementOperatingsustainablyWorkingtogether202023EnvironmentalReportWorkingtogetherWe’reworkingtogetherwithourpartnersandcustomerstoadvancetechnologyforsustainabilityOurambitionOurapproachSupportingpartnersInvestinginbreakthroughinnovationCreatingecosystemsforcollaborationThejourneyaheadIntroductionAppendixEmpoweringindividualsGovernanceandengagementOperatingsustainablyWorkingtogether212023EnvironmentalReportOurambitionWebelievethatGooglehasauniqueopportunitythatextendsbeyondreducingtheenvironmentalimpactsofourownoperationsandvaluechain.Byorganizinginformationaboutourplanetandmakingitactionablethroughtechnologyandplatforms,wecanhelppartnersandcustomerscreateevenmorepositiveimpact.Digitaltechnologiesplayacriticalroleinindustrytransitions,allowingustomeasureandtracksustainabilityprogress,optimizetheuseofresources,reducegreenhousegasemissions,andenableamorecirculareconomy.50Cloudcomputinganddigitaltechnologiesunderpinthetransformationinmanysectors,suchasenergy,transportation,andagriculture.Researchthatwecommissionedin2022foundthat20%–25%ofwhat’srequiredfortheEU’s2050net-zerogoalrequiressomesortofdigitalenablement.51OurapproachBycombiningGoogle’ssuiteofuniquecapabilitiesindata,geospatialanalytics,cloudcomputing,andAI,we’reenablingourpartnersandcustomerstoadvancesustainabilitygoals.DataToeffectivelymitigateandadapttoclimatechangeandprotectecosystems,organizationsneedadata-drivenunderstandingoftheirimpacts.Currently,muchofthisdataisfragmentedacrossthousandsofsilosandamultitudeofdatabases.Tohelpsolvethisproblem,we’vecuratedalargecatalogofEarthobservationdatasetsintheEarthEngineDataCatalog.WecreatedEnvironmentalInsightsExplorer,whichempowersthousandsofcitiesandregionswithactionabledataandinsightstoreduceglobalemissions.Morerecently,wealsobuiltDataCommons,anopen-sourcetooltoorganizehundredsofpublicsustainabilitydatasetsintoasingle,accessibleresource.GeospatialtechnologyGooglehasmadedeepinvestmentsovernearlytwodecadesingeospatialtechnologyandplatformssuchasGoogleMapsandGoogleEarth.GoogleEarthEngineisaleadingtechnologyplatformforplanetary-scaleenvironmentalmonitoringthatwaslaunchedin2010forscientistsandNGOs.In2022,itwasexpandedforcommercialusebybusinessesandgovernmentsasanenterprise-gradeservicethroughGoogleCloud.Researchersfromacademicinstitutions,NGOs,andintergovernmentalorganizationshaveleveragedandbuiltuponourtoolsforawidevarietyofusecasesfrommeasuringhabitatrangestoprotectingforestandoceanecosystems.CloudGoogleCloudishelpingtotransformanumberofcarbon-emittingsectors,suchasenergy,transportation,andagriculture.We’vemadesignificantinvestmentsincleanercloudcomputingbymakingourdatacentersamongthemostefficientintheworldandsourcingmorecarbon-freeenergy.Thisenablesotherstoexpandtheiruseofdigitaltechnologiesinamoresustainableway,bymonitoringandoptimizingcloud-relatedemissions,andchoosingcleanerregionsinwhichtoruntheirworkloads.AIAsanAI-firstcompany,we’veestablishedatrackrecordofapplyingAItosomeofthemostsignificantchallengesfacinghumanity,suchasenvironmentaldegradationandclimatechange,andweseeexcitingopportunitiesforfurtherimpact.AIisembeddedintomanyofoursustainabilityinitiatives—includingdetectingandforecastingfloodsandwildfires,helpingpeopleandcitiesadapttoextremeheat,andprotectingcriticalspecieshabitat.We’releveragingthisuniquesuiteofcapabilitiesinthreekeyways:supportingpartners,investinginbreakthroughinnovation,andcreatingecosystemsforcollaboration.Governments,aidorganizations,andindividualscanuseFloodHubtotaketimelyactionandprepareforriverinefloods,seeinglocallyrelevantflooddataandforecastsupto7daysinadvance.IntroductionAppendixEmpoweringindividualsGovernanceandengagementOperatingsustainablyWorkingtogether222023EnvironmentalReportSupportingpartnersWe’rebuildingpartnershipstoadvancesustainabilitygoalsthroughtechnologyacrossthreekeygroups:governmentsandintergovernmentalorganizations;customersandcommercialpartners;andresearchers,academics,andNGOs.GovernmentsandintergovernmentalorganizationsWe’recreatingtoolstohelpgovernmentsandintergovernmentalorganizationsmakedecisionsonkeytopics—suchasurbaninfrastructure,transportationsystems,regulations,andinvestments—thathaveasignificant,long-termimpactonpeopleandourplanet.Citiesandurbanareasareaparticularfocusforourwork,sincethey’rehometoalargeproportionoftheglobalpopulationandproduceasignificantamountofGHGemissions.Morethanhalftheworld’spopulationnowlivesinurbanareas,withthisnumberexpectedtogrowto68%by2050,52andcitiesaccountfor70%ofenergy-relatedcarbondioxideemissionsglobally.53EnvironmentalInsightsExplorerGooglecreatedEnvironmentalInsightsExplorer(EIE)withandforcitiesandregions.Thisfreelyavailableonlinetoolbringsmanyofourtechnologicaladvancementstogethertohelpmeasureemissionsources,analyzedata,identifystrategiestoreduceemissions,andadapttoclimatechangeimpacts.EIEissupportedandofferedtocitiesforvalidationbyleadingcitynetworksincludingtheGlobalCovenantofMayorsforClimate&Energy(GCoM),C40CitiesClimateLeadershipGroup,ICLEI,andothers.EIEmakesactionableclimatedataavailabletomorethan40,000citiesandregionsworldwide.OverathousandcitiesgloballyhavesigneduptoviewtheirdataandusetheinsightsfortheirGHGinventoriesandclimateactionplanning.Forexample,IniciativaClimáticadeMéxicoisworkingwithcityofficialstoevaluateMexicoCity’sbuildingemissionsandthepotentialtogeneraterenewableenergyfromrooftopsolar,usingdatafromEIE,andsupportfromGoogle.organdICLEI.BuildingemissionsIn2022,EIEreleasedbuildingemissionsdatafor4,000newcities,bringingourtotalbuildingsdatacoveragetoover13,000citiesworldwide.We’vesubstantiallyincreasedourgeographiccoverageoftheworld,improvingitbyover250%—fromjustover9.5millionsquarekilometerstoover35millionsquarekilometers—resultinginover50%morebuildingscountedand40%morebuildingfloorareausedtoestimateemissions.TransportationemissionsUsinganonymizedtrafficpatternsandothergeospatialinformation,EIEisalsoabletoestimatetransportationemissionsfortripswithinacity’sboundary.Forexample,inIzmir,Turkey’sthirdmostpopulouscity,transportationemissionsaccountedforalmost23%oftotalcityemissionsin2018.54IzmirisusingEIEtoassesstheeffectivenessofGHGemissionsmitigationactionsandapplythemtopolicyanddecision-makingtoalignwiththegoalsdefinedinthecity’sSustainableEnergyandClimateActionPlan.TreecanopycoverageEIEalsoprovidesTreeCanopyInsights,whichusesAIandaerialimagerytodetectandmaptreecanopycoverageincities(seeFigure7)tohelpthemcreatecoolerenvironments.AsofMarch2023,weexpandedourcoveragetomorethan350citiesonfourcontinents.Forexample,thecityofAustinhasusedtheEIETreeCanopytooltoprioritizeplantingtreesinvulnerableareasandhelpplacebusshelterstoincreaseshade.FIGURE7EIETreeCanopyInsightsTreeCanopyInsightsusesAIandaerialimagerytodetectandmaptreecanopycoverageincities.IntroductionAppendixEmpoweringindividualsGovernanceandengagementOperatingsustainablyWorkingtogether232023EnvironmentalReportAirqualityGooglehasworkedwithseveralcitiestocapturehyperlocalairqualityinsightsusedtohelpimprovethelivesandhealthofresidents.WepartneredwithDublinCityCounciltomapairqualitystreet-by-streetusinganelectricStreetViewcar,toincreaseawarenessofairqualitylevelsandhelpimplementsmarttransportationpolicies.WealsopartneredwithNewYorkstatetolaunchastatewideairqualityandgreenhousegasmobilemonitoringinitiativeinareasoverburdenedbyenvironmentalpollution.RoadtrafficWealsoknowthatmanycitiessufferfromurbanroadtraffic,whichwastesfuelandcreatesharmfulairpollution.That’swhywecreatedGreenLight,anAItoolthatmeasuresdrivingtrendsatintersectionsanddevelopsrecommendationsthatcitytrafficengineerscanusetooptimizethetimingoflightchangestoreducestop-and-gotraffic.OurrecenttestsinHamburg,GermanyshowedthatattrafficlightswithourAI-drivenrecommendations,carsmadeover25%fewerstops,resultinginapproximately10%feweremissionsatintersections.55CoolroofsCoolroofsaredesignedtoreflectsunlightandabsorblessheat,andthey’reespeciallyimpactfulincommunitiesthatmaynothaveaccesstoreliableairconditioning.We’reexploringhowourtechnology—suchasAIalgorithmsandaerialimagery—canhelpmoreplacesimplementcoolroofs.We’reabletomapoutthesolarreflectivityofcitiessourbanplannersandgovernmentscanidentifywhatareaswouldbenefitmostfromcoolroofs.We’llsoonbeginpilotingthistoolwithselectcities.We’reexploringhowAIandaerialimagerycanbeusedtohelpcitiesandgovernmentsaddress“heatislands”byimplementingcoolroofsinrelevantlocations.AdaptationsupportforcommunitiesAsclimatechangeincreasesextremeweathereventsaroundtheworld,we’realsohelpingcommunitiesadapttoenvironmentalchangesandstayonestepaheadofnaturaldisasters.WildfiredetectionandpredictionClimatechangeisincreasingthefrequencyandseverityofwildfires,whicharehavingadevastatingimpactoncommunitiesandecosystemsaroundtheworld.56Tominimizetheimpactofwildfiresoncommunities,GooglehasdevelopedanewAI-basedtechnologytomapwildfiresinnearrealtime.ItusesdatafromgeostationarysatellitessuchasNOAA’sGOESconstellationtoshowthesizeofawildfire,withdatabeingrefreshedroughlyevery15–20minutes.Additionally,we’recollaboratingwiththeUSFSonwildfireresearchbyusingadvancedsimulationandAItechniquestoacceleratetheirfirespreadmodel.57We’vealsobeenworkingcloselywithU.S.agencies,suchastheU.S.ForestService(USFS).USFSusedGoogleEarthEngineandGoogleCloudtechnologytobuildaLandscapeChangeMonitoringSystemtomapandmonitorlandcoverchangeacrosstheUnitedStatesandsupportforestplanningandpost-firerecovery.FloodforecastingAnnually,floodscausethousandsoffatalitiesworldwide,58disruptthelivesofmillions,andcausesignificantfinancialdamages.OurFloodForecastingInitiative,launchedin2018,usesAItopredictwhenandwhereriverinefloodingwilloccur,helpingtokeeppeoplesafeandinformed.OurFloodHubplatformnowdisplaysfloodforecaststohelpgovernments,aidorganizations,andat-riskcommunitiestaketimelyaction.Thesebreakthroughsarearesultofinnovativemodelingapproachesthatusemachinelearningtocreatescalablemodelsinreal-worldsettings.InMay2023,weexpandedcoveragetoterritoriesin60newcountriesacrossAfrica,theAsia-Pacificregion,We’reapplyingAIandworkingwithfireauthoritiestodetect,track,andpredictwildfires,andtohelpauthoritiesrespondbettertonewwildfirethreats.Fromwildfiremapping,toearthquakedetectionandalertstofloodforecasting,wecontinuetofindnewwaysfortechnologytobehelpfulatthemostcriticaltimes.IntroductionAppendixEmpoweringindividualsGovernanceandengagementOperatingsustainablyWorkingtogether242023EnvironmentalReportEurope,andSouthandCentralAmerica.FloodHubnowdisplaysforecastsfor80countries.Thisincludessomeoftheterritorieswiththehighestpercentagesofpopulationexposedtofloodriskandexperiencingmoreextremeweather,covering460millionpeopleglobally.Allforecastsaredisplayedforfree.We’reapplyingadvancedmachinelearningmethodstoforecastwhenandwhereriverinefloodsmayoccur,uptosevendaysinadvance,helpingtosavelivesandlivelihoods.RisktoinfrastructureandnaturalresourcesIn2022,weannouncedourGoogleCloudclimateinsightsofferingstohelpgovernmentagenciesbetterunderstandtheriskstoinfrastructureandnaturalresourcesduetoclimatechange.Forexample,wepartneredwiththeStateofHawaiiDepartmentofTransportation(HDOT),whichmanages2,500milesofhighway—muchofwhichisfacingrisksduetoerosionandsealevelrise.HDOTisleveragingGoogleEarthEngineandotherGoogleCloudservicesforitsClimateResiliencePlatform,usingbigdataandinsightstoassessriskandprioritizeinvestmentdecisionsbasedonmultipleclimaterisks,assetconditions,andcommunityimpact.WatersecurityWe’reputtingGoogle’sproductsandtechnologyinserviceofhelpingotherstostudyandrespondtowatersecuritychallenges.Improvingwatersecurityrequiresanaccurateaccountingoffreshwaterresourcesandhowtheychangeovertime.Asanexample,wepartneredwiththeUnitedNationsEnvironmentProgramme(UNEP)andtheEuropeanCommission’sJointResearchCentretodeveloptheFreshwaterEcosystemsExplorer.FollowingthelaunchoftheSustainableDevelopmentGoals,UNEPrequestedthatall193memberstatesprovideindicator6.6.1dataontheextentoftheirwater-relatedecosystems.59Atthattime,themajorityofmemberstatescouldn’treportonthismetric.Tofillthisgap,theFreshwaterEcosystemsExplorer(sdg661.app)helpstoquantifyandvisualizesurfacewaterchangesoverthecourseofdecades.Thisfree,easy-to-usegeospatialplatformanddataproducthelpsdecision-makersaccessnational,sub-national,andbasin-leveldataonfreshwaterecosystems(seeFigure8).FIGURE8FreshwaterEcosystemsExplorerTheFreshwaterEcosystemsExplorerhelpstoquantifyandvisualizesurfacewaterchanges.Inadditiontootherwateroutflows,freshwateristransferredtotheatmosphereviaevapotranspiration.TogetherwithgovernmentandacademicresearchgroupsandthenonprofitOpenET,Googlehashelpedimprovewatermanagementbysupportingtheautomationandscalingofevapotranspiration(ET)models.Thesemodelsprovideestimatesofhowmuchwateristransferredfromthelandtotheatmosphere,acrucialbutdifficulttomeasureprocesswithintheoverallhydrologicalcycle.NowOpenETismakingsatellite-basedETdatawidelyaccessibletofarmers,landowners,andwatermanagers.IntroductionAppendixEmpoweringindividualsGovernanceandengagementOperatingsustainablyWorkingtogether252023EnvironmentalReportCloudcustomersandcommercialpartnersWe’recollaboratingwithcustomersandcommercialpartnersacrossanumberofsectors—includingenergy,transportation,agriculture,manufacturing,consumergoods,andfinancialservices—toworktowardssustainabilitygoals.We’reprovidingpowerfulinsightstohelpourGoogleCloudcustomersaroundtheworldpredictclimaterisk,increasevisibilityacrosstheirsupplychain,andreduceandreportontheiremissions.CarbonfootprintingIn2022,weintroducedtheCarbonSenseSuite,whichincludesproductssuchasCarbonFootprintandActiveAssist,andtoolssuchasCloudregionpicker.ThesuiteisenablingGoogleCloudcustomerstoaccuratelymeasure,report,andreducetheircloud-relatedcarbonemissions.Wehelpdevelopersandorganizationsmakelow-carbonarchitecturedecisionsandprovidebestpracticestoimprovesustainability.DevelopersatcompaniessuchasL’OréalandSAPareusingGoogleCloudtoolstoreducetheemissionsassociatedwiththeirtechnologyfootprint.Workingcloselywiththesecustomers,wedevelopedourCarbonFootprintproduct—afreelyavailabletoolthatprovidesmonthlyemissionsdataonaperservice,project,andregionbasis.ThedatacanbeaccessedinBigQueryforanalysisandcanbeeasilyintegratedwithpopularcarbonaccountingtools.CarbonFootprintdataisalsointegratedwithrecommendationstoreduceemissions.ClimateriskandresilienceManyofourcommercialcustomersareeagertoassessandimprovetheirresiliencetoclimatechange.Fromtransportationcompaniestofinancialserviceorganizations,Googleishelpingorganizationsintegrateclimatedataandgeospatialanalysisintobusinessstrategyandriskmanagement.Forexample,wepartneredwithRSMetricsandInfosystopublishadesignpatternforportfolioclimateriskanalysisandwe’rehelpinginsurersboostresponsestodisaster-relatedclaims.We’velaunchedSpatiaFi,togetherwithourpartnerClimateEngine,tohelpthebankingsectorharnessthepowerofgeospatialanalyticstosupportclimatefinance.Forexample,geospatialdatacanhelpabank’sagriculturecustomersbuildapersonalizedpictureoffloodanddroughtrisksandbiodiversityatafield-specificlevel.ResponsiblesourcingAsglobaldemandforrawmaterialscontinuestogrow,deforestationisincreasing,contributingtoGHGemissions.Companieswanttoknowmoreabouttheoriginsoftheirrawmaterials,includingwhicharesourcedresponsibly—andhowtheycanimprovetheirsourcingpractices.GoogleCloud,inpartnershipwithNGIS(ageospatialsolutionscompany)ishelpingbrandsgainadeeperunderstandingofsustainablesourcingpracticesacrosssuppliernetworks.Bycombiningthepowerofourcloudcomputing,AI,andgeospatialanalytics,we’rehelpingcompaniesgetreal-time,reliableinformationintooperationsatalocalsupplierlevel,globally.Forexample,we’rehelpingUnileverbuildamoreholisticviewoftheforests,watercycles,andbiodiversitythatintersectitssupplychain.WealsohelpedlaunchTraceMark,aGoogleCloudReady–SustainabilitySolutiondesignedforenterprises,whichaimstoacceleratethedeliveryoftraceabilityandtransparencyinglobalsupplychainsforrawmaterials.Transportation-relatedemissionsWe’reworkingwithanumberofcommercialorganizationstotackletransportation-relatedemissions.Ecommerceshipmentsareontracktodoubleby2026,60and90%ofU.S.consumersexpectfreetwo-to-three-dayshipping,61sowe’rehelpingbusinessesoptimizeeverystageofthelastmiledeliveryjourney:capturingvalidaddresses,optimizingdeliveryroutes,efficientlynavigatingdrivers,trackingshipmentprogress,andanalyzingfleetperformance.We’realsohelpingorganizationsharnessthepowerofdataandAItodrivemoreintelligentlogisticsoperationsandsupplychains.Forexample,ourcustomerEVSuitabilityAssessmenthelpsorganizationsmonitortheirfleetofvehiclesandmakechoicesthatminimizeenvironmentalimpact.DataanalyticstoolsfromGoogleCloudarealsohelpingairlines.LufthansaGrouppartneredwithGoogleCloudandGoogleResearchtodevelopaplatformthatfacilitatesbetterplanningandmanagementofdailyflightoperations.We’rehelpingorganizationsharnessthepowerofdataandAItodrivemoreintelligentsupplychains.RenewableenergyWindfarmsareanimportantsourceofcarbon-freeelectricity,butwindcanfluctuatedependingontheweather.ThroughGoogleCloud,customerslikeEngie(aglobalenergyandrenewablessupplier)canoptimizetheirwindportfolioinshort-termpowermarketsbypredictingwindpoweroutput36hoursaheadofactualgenerationandmakingoptimalhourlydeliverycommitmentstothegrid,afulldayinadvance.SustainabilitypartnersolutionsPartnersolutionsareimportanttoscaletheimpactforourcustomersandhelpthemgetthesupporttheyneed,fromprocessingESGdatatoreducingcarbonemissions.ThisiswhywelaunchedGoogleCloudReady–Sustainability,adesignationtovalidateandpromotesustainabilitypartnersolutionsbuiltonGoogleCloud.GreatWesternwindfarminOklahoma(225MWforGoogle)IntroductionAppendixEmpoweringindividualsGovernanceandengagementOperatingsustainablyWorkingtogether262023EnvironmentalReportResearchers,academics,andNGOsWe’reprovidingcutting-edgeclimate-andnature-relateddataandanalyticstoscientificresearchersfromacademicinstitutionsandNGOs.Thissupportisenablingadvancesinthemostcomplexareasoftheirfields,applyingAI,machinelearning,andgeospatialanalyticsataglobalscaletoacceleratetheshifttoasustainablefuture.Planetary-scaleplatformsLaunchedin2010,GoogleEarthEngineisGoogle’splanetary-scaleplatformforEarthsciencedataandanalysis.Itoffersover1,000Earthobservationdatasetswithpowerfulcloudcomputingtoshowtimely,accurate,high-resolutioninsightsaboutthestateoftheworld’shabitatsandecosystems—andhowthey’rechangingovertime.Scientists,researchers,anddevelopershavebeenusingEarthEngineformorethanadecadetodetectchanges,maptrends,andquantifydifferencesontheEarth’ssurface.In2022,over90,000usersregularlyusedEarthEngine’sdataanalyticsandcomputingforresearchandeducationalpurposes.Multipleglobalconservationandrestorationtoolshavealsobeenbuiltontheplatform.Forexample,foundedbyCrowtherLabinZurichandpoweredbyGoogleEarthEngineandGoogleCloud,RestorallowsanyonetoanalyzetherestorationpotentialofanyplaceonEarth.WhenyououtlineagivenareaontheRestormap,itwillshowyoudataonlocalbiodiversity,thecurrentandpotentialamountofsolidcarbonstoredinthesoil,landcover,soilpH,andannualrainfall.Withthisinformation,theplatformconnectspractitioners,facilitatestheexchangeofinformation,andmakesprojectsvisibletopotentialfundersandthepublic.In2022,researchersaddressedurbanclimatechangeinequitiesusingpubliclyavailabledatafromEarthEngine.ThisstudyusedEarthEnginetocombinemedium-to-high-resolutionsatelliteobservationswithcensusdatatocalculatethefeasibleareaavailableforplantingnewtreesinurbanareasforover200areasinCalifornia.62Byquantifyingthis,theywereabletoprovideestimatesofseveralco-benefitoftreecover.Toacceleratetheinnovationthatwe’veseenfromthescientificandNGOcommunities,we’renowbringingGoogleEarthEnginetopublicandprivatesectorusers.In2022,weexpandedGoogleEarthEngine’savailabilityforcommercialusebybusinessesandgovernmentsworldwideasanenterprise-gradeservicethroughGoogleCloud.Withaccesstoreliable,up-to-dateinsightsonhowourplanetischanging,organizationswillbebetterequippedtomovetheirsustainabilityeffortsforward.GoogleEarthOurplanethasseenrapidenvironmentalchangeinthepasthalf-century—morethanatanyotherpointinhumanhistory.TimelapseinGoogleEarthisaglobal,zoomabletime-lapsevideooftheplanet,providingaclearerpictureofEarth’sdynamicchangesince1984—notjustproblems,butalsosolutions,aswellasbeautifulnaturalphenomenathatunfoldoverdecades—fromirrigationsystemsemerginginthedesertsofEgypttovolcaniceruptions,logging,andwildfireschangingthelandscapeofCalifornia’sLassenNationalForestandglaciersretreatinginSermersooq,Greenland(seeFigure9).Theimageryalsocaptureshowcitieshaveadaptedtocombatclimatechange—likeoffshorewindfarmsinMiddelgrunden,Denmarkandalarge-scalesolarinstallationinGranada,Spain.FIGURE9GlacierretreatinSermersooq,Greenland,seenfromTimelapseinGoogleEarth.19842022IntroductionAppendixEmpoweringindividualsGovernanceandengagementOperatingsustainablyWorkingtogether272023EnvironmentalReportDataCommonsSustainabilitydataisfragmentedacrossthousandsofsilos,inmanyformatsandschemas,andacrossamultitudeofdatabases.In2017,westartedtheDataCommonsproject,whichaggregatesdatafromawiderangeofsourcesintoaunifieddatabasetomakeitmoreaccessibleanduseful.DataCommonswasdevelopedbyGoogletoorganizesustainabilitydatafromhundredsofsources,suchastheWorldBank,NationalAeronauticsandSpaceAdministration,andtheU.S.CentersforDiseaseControlandPrevention(CDC).Itmakesthisdataavailabletoresearchers,journalists,policymakers,individuals,andotherstakeholdersaroundtheglobe.Today,DataCommonsisoneoftheworld’slargestknowledgegraphsonsustainability,includingdataaboutclimate,health,food,crops,shelter,emissions,andmore.Anyonecanaccess,explore,andunderstandthisdatausingGoogleSearchorourfreedashboardsandvisualizationtools,andtheycanuseouropenandfreeAPIstobuildnewtoolsbasedonthisdata.Forenterprisecustomers,thisdataisavailableviaDataCommonsontheBigQueryAnalyticsHub.DataCommonsisbeingusedtomonitorandaddressavarietyofsustainabilitychallenges,includingclimatechange,naturaldisasters,waterquality,andfoodsecurity.ClimatechangeDataCommonscaningesthealthdatafromtheCDCandclimatedatafromtheIPCC,andcombinethembyaligningdataonlocation,healthconditions,ordates.ApolicymakercanthenuseDataCommonstocomparethesetwodatasetstoidentifyoutliersandunderstandhowtemperaturechangesmayaffectpopulationswithpre-existingconditions.NaturaldisastersPartneringwiththeJohnDoerrSchoolofClimateatStanford,DataCommonshashelpedStanfordcreateaclimatedisasterdashboardtoidentifyareasaffectedbywildfires,wetbulbtemperatures,andothernaturaldisastersexacerbatedbyclimatechange.TheDataCommonsteamwasabletotakenumerousclimatemodelsandmodelprobabilitiesforfuturetemperaturerangesinspecificareas.WaterqualityDataCommonsishelpingcommunitiesgetabetterunderstandingofwateruse,quality,andavailability.Forexample,aresearcherattheIndianInstituteofTechnologyMadrasisworkingwithDataCommonstoaddIndia-baseddataonwaterquality.FoodsecurityFeedingAmericaisanationwidenetworkof200memberfoodbanksservingtensofmillionsofpeopleinneedintheUnitedStates.DatafromtheirannualMaptheMealGapstudyisaccessibleinFeedingAmericaDataCommons,soanyonecanexplorefoodsecurityandhowitintersectswithvariableslikehealth,climate,andeducation.Forexample,itshowsthatcountiesthatwillbemostaffectedbyclimatechangearealsoalreadymostaffectedbyfoodscarcity.ThisdataallowsFeedingAmericatoquicklyidentifyU.S.locationswherefoodinsecurityismostexacerbatedbyotherrootcausesofdisparitiesandhardship.NonprofitTechSoupusedDataCommonstoidentifyhowclimatechangewillimpactfoodsecurityneedsinCalifornia.Thisallowedthemtoseethatagriculturalcountiesthatwillbemostimpactedbytemperaturechangesarealreadyatthehighestlevelsoffoodinsecurity.Theycanthenmapoutspecificfoodsupportsitestoseewhichcountieswillneedmorecivilsocietyorganizationshelpingwithfoodinsecurity.WildlifemonitoringIn2022,globalsearchinterestin“wildlife”nearlytripled,63reachinga15-yearhigh.64We’reusingourtechnologytosupportwildlifeconservationeffortsaroundtheworld.TerrAdaptusessatellitemonitoringtechnologypoweredbyGoogleEarthEnginetoprojecthabitatconditionsgivenfutureclimateandland-usescenarios.TerrAdaptcanhelpprioritizeareasforconservationactions—likehabitatrestoration,increasingprotectionstatus,andbuildingwildlifecrossings.GoogleteamedupwiththeCommonwealthScientificandIndustrialResearchOrganisation(CSIRO—Australia’snationalscienceagency)andtheKaggledatasciencecommunitytoprotectcoralreefsincludingAustralia’sGreatBarrierReef,theworld’sbiggestcoralreefsystem.Wedevelopedamachinelearningsolutiontoanalyzeunderwaterimagesofaspeciesofstarfishthatfeedonlivingcoral.Bydetectingthemmoreaccuratelyandefficiently,scientistscannowmoreeasilymonitorthereefandmanagetheimpactofthestarfishmoreeffectively.IncollaborationwithCSIROandotherpartners,we’realsoapplyingAItomeasurecarbonsequestrationcapacityofseagrassecosystems.Since2017,GooglehasbeenafoundingtechnologypartnerinWildlifeInsights—acollaborationbetweensevenleadingconservationorganizationstostreamlinebiodiversitymonitoringwiththehelpofAIandtofillcriticaldatagapstoinformdata-drivendecisions.Thisplatformmakesiteasierforconservationistsandscientiststocollectandanalyzedatafromremotecameras.We’reworkingwithpartnerstoleveragemachinelearningtomonitorandprotectwildlifehabitats,suchascoralreefs.WildlifeInsightshelpsconservationistsprotectspeciesfromextinctionwithAI.IntroductionAppendixEmpoweringindividualsGovernanceandengagementOperatingsustainablyWorkingtogether282023EnvironmentalReportInvestinginbreakthroughinnovationWe’rehelpingadvancethenextgenerationofaudacioustechnologiestoaddresssustainabilitychallenges.Incubatingbreakthroughtechnologiesisessentialforthetransformativechangeneededtodeliverdeepemissionsreductionsatscaleandtobendthecurveofclimatechange.AndatX,Alphabet’s“moonshotfactory,”ourteamsaredevelopingcutting-edgetechnologythataimstosolveproblemsformillionsofpeopleandchangesystemsworldwide.Climate-relatedprojectscomprisemorethanhalfofX’scurrentmoonshots,whichincludeexperimentsinoceanhealth,carbonsequestration,cleanenergy,wildfireawareness,wastereduction,andsustainableagriculture.Xisusingwhatthey’velearnedfromadecadeofclimateprojectstoshapetheworkthey’redoingnow.CleanelectricityTapestryaimstounlockaccesstoclean,reliable,andaffordableelectricityworldwidebyprovidinggreaterinsightintoourincreasinglydynamicandcomplexelectricitysystem.AsX’smoonshotfortheelectricgrid,it’screatingasinglevirtualizedviewoftheelectricitysystemthatcanpredictandsimulatewhatmighthappenonthegridfromnanosecondstodecadesintothefuture.Insightsfromsuchcomputationalmodelscanleadtoreducedenergyconsumption,loweremissions,andimprovedresiliencetooutages,aswellasreduceinterconnectionqueues,enablingmorerenewableenergycapacitytobeaddedtothegrid.OceanecosystemsTidalisX’smoonshottoprotecttheoceanwithtechnologysystemswhilefeedinghumanitysustainably.Itsunderwatersensorsystemandmachineperceptiontoolsarebringingvisibilitytoouroceanecosystemssowecanbetterunderstandandprotectthemwhilesustainablyharnessingtheoceantosolvesomeofhumanity’sbiggestchallenges—fromfoodproductiontoclimatechange.Tidal’sfirstproductmonitorsfishandenvironmentalconditionsunderwatertodetectandinterpretthingslikefishbehaviors,whicharehelpfulforfeedingandhealthtracking,andpredictoutcomessuchasgrowthtrendsovertime—allofwhichcanhelpfishfarmersmakebetter,moreenvironmentally-friendlyandcost-effectivedecisionsaboutfishfeeding,welfare,andhealth.AutonomousdrivingWaymo’smissionistomakeitsafeandeasyforpeopleandthingstogetwherethey’regoing.Waymo’sfleetofsharedelectricvehiclesprovidesafullyautonomousride-hailingserviceinPhoenixandSanFrancisco,connectingcommunitieswiththebenefitsofEVs.Waymo’sEVfleetisalsomatchedwith100%renewableelectricity.SustainablefoodsystemsIncreasingagriculturalproductivityandsustainabilityisimperativetofeedtheplanet’sgrowingpopulation.Modernagriculturehasasignificantenvironmentalimpact,suchassoildegradationandbiodiversitylossduetoweeds,pests,diseases,herbicideresistance,andexcesschemicalinputwaste.Mineralusesrobotics,AI,andcomputervisiontocreateamoresustainablefoodproductionsystem.It’sdevelopingperception-poweredsolutionswithpartnersacrosstheagriculturevaluechain—fromgroceryretailersandenterprisefarmstoequipmentmanufacturersandcropprotectioncompanies—todevelopabetterunderstandingofthecomplexinteractionsofplants,theirgrowingenvironment,andfarmmanagementpractices.Mineralisusingrobotics,AI,andcomputervisiontocreateamoresustainablefoodproductionsystem.TidaltestingitstechnologyatafishfarmnorthoftheArcticCircle.IntroductionAppendixEmpoweringindividualsGovernanceandengagementOperatingsustainablyWorkingtogether292023EnvironmentalReportCreatingecosystemsforcollaborationBeyondourowntoolsandprograms,wecontinuetoinvestinpromisinginitiativesthataimtocreatescalable,high-impactcollaborationecosystemsforclimatechangeandsustainability.Google.orgGoogle.orgaimstobringthebestofGoogletohelpsolvesomeofhumanity’sbiggestchallenges.Thisincludescombiningfunding,innovation,andtechnicalexpertisetosupportunderservedcommunities,provideopportunityforeveryone,andhelpaddressanumberofsustainabilitychallenges.Launchedin2022,theGoogle.orgImpactChallengeonClimateInnovationallocatesupto$30milliontosupportbreakthroughprojectsthatusedataandtechnologytoaccelerateclimateaction.Selectedorganizationswillreceivefundingtoscaletheiractivities,alongwithaccesstoGoogle’stechnicalexpertiseandproductstohelpthemmaximizetheirimpact.Ourfirstrecipient,theWorldResourcesInstitute(WRI),willreceive$5milliontosupportitsproject,whichwillusesensors,satelliteimagery,andAItohelpdecision-makersunderstandwheretoimplementcoolsurfaceinfrastructuretoreducetheimpactofextremeheat.We’velaunchedtheGoogle.orgImpactChallenge:TechforSocialGood—thefirstopencallforEuropeanorganizationstoapplyforprobonotechnicalsupportandfundingforcharitableprojectsfocusedontacklingcomplexissues,includingsustainability.Examplesofothersustainability-focusedinvestmentsinclude:•AIfortheGlobalGoals,$25millioninfundingtosupportthedevelopmentofnewAI-drivenapproachesthataccelerateprogressontheUNSustainableDevelopmentGoals.•A$10milliongranttoICLEI-LocalGovernmentsforSustainabilitytosupport10nonprofit-ledprojectsthathelpcitiesacceleratetheirsustainabletransitionthroughdata-drivenenvironmentalandclimateactionatthelocallevel.•TheEnvironmentalJusticeDataFund,acollectionofgrantstotalingnearly$9millionthataimtohelpfrontlinecommunitiesthathavebeenhistoricallyunderservedanddisproportionatelyimpactedbyclimatechangeandenvironmentalinjustice.•AVPN’sAPACSustainabilitySeedFundprovides$3millioningrantfundingto13localorganizationsfocusedonsustainabilitysolutionsforvulnerableandunderservedcommunitiesinAsiaPacific.GooglerscollaborateintheEventCenteratourBayViewcampus.IntroductionAppendixEmpoweringindividualsGovernanceandengagementOperatingsustainablyWorkingtogether302023EnvironmentalReportGoogleforStartupsByinvestingearlyintechnologiesaimedattacklingsustainabilitychallengeslikeclimatechange,wehavethepotentialtomovetheneedleonsustainabilityandpositivelyimpactourplanet.Wehaveaportfolioofsustainability-focusedaccelerators,whichsupportearlystageinnovationstogrowandscale.GoogleforStartupsAcceleratorGoogleforStartupsisworkingtoidentify,support,andscalestartupsthatarebuildingtechnologiestocombatclimatechangeandbuildamorecirculareconomy.Theseacceleratorsare10-weekprogramsforSeedtoSeriesAtechnologystartups,designedtobringthebestofGoogle’sprograms,products,people,andtechnologytosomeofthemostinnovativeandimpactfulclimatechangeandcirculareconomytechnologists.Inadditiontomentorshipandtechnicalprojectsupport,theacceleratorfocusesonproductdesign,customeracquisition,andleadershipdevelopmentforfounders.•GoogleforStartupsAccelerator:ClimateChange:Sincelaunchingtheprogramin2021,we’vehostedfourclimateaccelerators,eachwithadistinctgeographicfocus.Thefirstthreecohortsincluded33startupsinNorthAmericathatreportthey’veraisedover$650millioninfunding.WealsoannouncedtheexpansionofthisprogramtoEurope,inpartnershipwithGoogleCloud,whereweworkedcloselytoaccelerate13climatetechcompaniesfromthesubsectorsofAgtech,SaaS,fintech,realestate,supplychain,andcirculareconomy.•GoogleforStartupsAccelerator:CircularEconomy:Launchedin2022,thisnewprogramfocusesonsupportingstartupsandnonprofitsinNorthAmericaandAsiaPacificworkingonchallengesrelatedtoadvancingamorecirculareconomy—fromfoodwastetofashion,recycling,andreuse—withtechnicalsolutions.StartupsforSustainableDevelopmentThroughourStartupsforSustainableDevelopmentprogram,we’reworkingwithimpact-drivenstartupsusingtechnologytobuildamoresustainablefuture.AllareonamissiontoaddressoneormoreoftheU.N.’s17SustainableDevelopmentGoals,fromeradicatingpovertyandhungertoimprovinghealthcareandadvancingclimateaction.Weprovidethemwithlong-termsupporttoscaletheirimpact:mentoringfromexpertadvisors,connectionstofundingpartners,andaccesstocutting-edgeresearchandtechnology.Theprogramnowsupportsnearly400startupsinover60countries,workingwithanetworkofover140partnerorganizations.2022HIGHLIGHTOurStartupsforSustainableDevelopmentprogramnowsupportsnearly400startupsinover60countriesworkingwithanetworkofover140partnerorganizations.TheGoogle.orgImpactChallengeonClimateInnovationsupportsbreakthroughprojectsthatusedataandtechnologytoaccelerateclimateaction.ThejourneyaheadFrommeasuringandmonitoringchangesontheEarth’ssurface,improvingforecastandpredictionmodelsforfloodingandwildfires,optimizingoperations,combiningdisparatedatasources,anddesigningmoreefficientproducts,wecontinuetoleverageourexpertiseintechnologyandapplythelatestadvancementstohelpsolveglobalchallenges.Webelievethatbyworkingtogetherwithourpartnersandcustomers,wecanmakearealdifferenceinaddressingthechallengesofclimatechangeandecosystemdegradation.LEARNMORE•DataCommons•EnvironmentalInsightsExplorer•GoogleCloudsustainability•GoogleEarthEngine•Sustainability-focusedacceleratorsIntroductionAppendixEmpoweringindividualsGovernanceandengagementOperatingsustainablyWorkingtogether312023EnvironmentalReportOperatingsustainablyWe’reshowingthewayforwardthroughourownoperationsOurambitionOuroperationsNet-zerocarbonWaterstewardshipCirculareconomyNatureandbiodiversitySpotlight:BuildingamoresustainablecampusinMountainViewIntroductionAppendixEmpoweringindividualsGovernanceandengagementOperatingsustainablyWorkingtogether322023EnvironmentalReportOurambitionOurworkonsustainabilitystartedwithourownoperations,andwe’veworkedhardtoleadbyexample,withtheultimategoalofdrivinglargersystemschange.Wesetambitioussustainabilitygoals.Wesharetheinnovationswecreateandthelessonswelearnwithothers,sowecanhelpacceleratetheglobaltransitiontoalow-carbonandsustainablefuture.We’reworkingtodrivesustainabilityacrossouroperationsinfourkeyways:acceleratingthetransitiontoanet-zerocarbonfuture,advancingwaterstewardship,buildingacirculareconomy,andprotectingnatureandbiodiversity.OuroperationsGoogleusesenergy,naturalresources,andproductsandservicestobuildourworkplaces,datacenters,andconsumerhardwareproducts.Attheendof2022,wehadofficesanddatacentersinroughly200citiesandnearly60countriesaroundtheworld.Wealsohadtworetailstores,bothinNewYorkCity.Theproductsandservicesthatourcustomersandusersrelyon—likeGmail,GoogleCloud,Search,andYouTube—arepoweredbyourdatacentersandnetworkinginfrastructure.Attheendof2022,wehad28Google-ownedand-operateddatacentercampusesacross24datacenterlocations65onfourcontinents,aswellasmorethan30GoogleCloudregions.InadditiontoourGoogle-ownedand-operateddatacenters,weuseadditionalthird-party-operateddatacentersaswell.Weworkworldwidewithsuppliersthatsupportourbusinessandoperations,includinghardwaremanufacturingandindirectservices.ThroughourSupplierResponsibilityprogram,wecollaboratewithstakeholdersacrossoursupplychaintoupholdourhighstandardsforprotectingworkersandtheenvironment.Google’sdatacenterinSt.Ghislain,Belgium.IntroductionAppendixEmpoweringindividualsGovernanceandengagementOperatingsustainablyWorkingtogether332023EnvironmentalReportNet-zerocarbonWeaimtoachievenet-zeroemissionsacrossallofouroperationsandvaluechainby2030OurambitionOurapproachMeasuringourcarbonfootprintReducingcarbonemissionsAdvancingcarbon-freeenergyManagingresidualemissionsThejourneyaheadOurambitionTheUnitedNationsIntergovernmentalPanelonClimateChangeisunequivocal:climatechangeisanurgentthreattohumanwell-beingandthehealthoftheplanet.66Whilethelastseveralyearshaveseensignificantprogressinmobilizingtheglobalcommunitytotakemoreambitiousclimateaction,theworldisn’tontracktomeetthetargetsestablishedbytheParisAgreementtolimittemperatureriseto1.5°C.67AtGoogle,we’reworkingtoacceleratethetransitiontoacarbon-freefuture.Weknowthatourresponsibilitybeginswithourowncarbonfootprint,whichiswhywe’vetakensignificantstepsoverthepasttwodecadestominimizeourownemissions.In2021,wesetourmostambitiousgoalyet:toachievenet-zeroemissionsacrossallofouroperationsandvaluechainby2030.Toaccomplishthis,weaimtoreduce50%ofourcombinedScope1,Scope2(market-based),andScope3absoluteemissions(versusour2019baseline)before2030,andplantoinvestinnature-basedandtechnology-basedcarbonremovalsolutionstoneutralizeourremainingemissions.We’veformallycommittedtotheScienceBasedTargetsinitiative(SBTi)toseektheirvalidationofourabsoluteemissionsreductiontarget.Oneofthekeyleversforreducingemissionsfromouroperationsistransitioningtocleanenergy.Energyusecontributestoasignificantshareofourcarbonfootprintduetotheelectricityneedsofouroperations—inparticular,ourdatacenters.That’swhy,in2020,wesetagoaltooperateourdatacentersandofficecampuseson24/7carbon-freeenergyoneverygridwhereweoperateby2030(24/7CFE).We’vebeenworkinghardtotransitionouroperationsandtheelectricitygridsthatserveustocleanersourcesofpower,throughacombinationofcleanenergyprocurement,technologyinnovation,andpolicyadvocacy.Andweexpectourworktodecarbonizeelectricitygridswhereweoperatetocontributetodecarbonizationacrossourvaluechainaswell.ChartingourpathAchievingnet-zeroemissionsand24/7CFEby2030areextremelyambitiousgoals—whatwecall“moonshots.”Wealsoknowthatourpathtonet-zeroemissionswon’tbeeasyorlinear;itmayrequireustonavigatesignificantuncertaintyanddeploynewsystemsandtechnologiesacrossourbusiness.Someofourplanswilltakeyearstodelivertheirfullresults,particularlywheretheyinvolvebuildingnewlarge-scaleinfrastructurewithlongleadtimes.Soasourbusinesscontinuestoevolve,weexpectouremissionstorisebeforedroppingtowardsourabsoluteemissionsreductiontarget.Inourthirddecadeofclimateaction,werecognizethatwecan’tachieveourgoalsalone.Transitioningtoacarbon-freefuturewillrequirestrongergovernmentpoliciesandpartnershipswithmanyotherorganizations,aswellasnewtechnologiesandstructuralchangestothebroadersystemsthatserveouroperationsandvaluechain,suchaselectricitygridsandhardwaresupplychains.IntroductionAppendixEmpoweringindividualsGovernanceandengagementOperatingsustainablyWorkingtogether342023EnvironmentalReportItwillbeespeciallycriticalforgovernmentsaroundtheworldtoenactpoliciesthatdriverapidtechnologicalandeconomictransformations,includingthefulldecarbonizationoftheglobalenergysystem.That’swhyGoogleadvocatesforstrongercleanenergyandclimatepolicies,andpartnerswithmanyotherorganizationstoacceleratecleanenergyandclimateprogress.We’veplayedinstrumentalrolesinsettingupadvocacyorganizations,includingtheCleanEnergyBuyersAssociation(CEBA)intheUnitedStates,theRE-SourcePlatforminEurope,andtheAsiaCleanEnergyCoalition(ACEC).Tolearnmoreaboutourpublicpolicyandadvocacy,includingpolicyengagement,tradeassociations,memberships,andpartnerships,seetheGovernanceandEngagementsection.ChallengestoaddressWhilewe’reexcitedaboutournet-zeroemissionsjourney,werecognizethatwefacemanychallenges.Forexample:Growingenergyneeds•Asweworktowardsourabsolute50%emissionsreductiontarget,ourbusinessiscontinuingtoevolvetomeettheneedsofarapidlydigitalizingworld,andtoharnesstheopportunitiespresentedbyAItechnology.•Ouroperationsandvaluechainareglobalandinvolveadiverserangeofindustries,whichmeanswemustmakeprogresswithinhard-to-abatesectorsandcarbon-intensivegeographies,suchastheAsiaPacificregion.•Wehavealargenumberofdifferentsuppliers,bothdirectandindirect,eachwithclimateprogramsthatdifferwidelyinmaturity.Insomecases,thislimitsourabilitytosuccessfullyinfluencethem,andtocollectthedataneededtoaccuratelyestimateourScope3emissions.Availabilityofcarbon-freeenergy•ThereareoftenlongleadtimesbetweenourinvestmentsandresultingGHGreductions.Forexample,withnewwindandsolarprojects,itcantakeyearsbeforeprojectsthatwecontractareconstructedandbegintogeneratecleanelectricity.•System-leveldecarbonizationisproceedingmoreslowlythanneededinmanyregionsandsectors,andwhileweaimtoacceleratethesechangesthroughoureffortsandengagement,theyaren’twithinourcontrol.Useofcarbonremovals•Becausethecarbonremovalssectorisintheearlieststageofdevelopment,costsarecurrentlyhigh,andtherearelimitedvolumesofremovalsavailableforpurchase.68Aswemovetowardsournet-zerogoal,thescaleofthesechallengeswillonlyincrease,alongwiththedifficultyofadditionalprogress.Webelievethattheurgencyofclimatechangedemandsimmediateaction,andsettingambitious,near-termtargetsisavaluablewaytofocusoureffortsanddriveimportantprogressacrosstheenergysystemsandvaluechainsinwhichweoperate.NortherOffshorewindfarminBelgium(92MWforGoogle)OurapproachOurcorebusinessinvolvesusingdatatosolvehardproblems,andouruniquestrengthiscombiningengineeringskillswithaninnovativemindsetandaglobalreach.Therearethreemainfocusareasthatmakeupourapproachtoournet-zerogoal:reducingemissionsacrossouroperationsandvaluechain,advancingcarbon-freeenergy,andaddressingourresidualemissionswithcarbonremovals(seeFigure10).FIGURE10Ournet-zeroapproachCarbonreductionReduceemissionsacrossouroperationsandvaluechainCarbon-freeenergyAdvancecarbon-freeenergyacrossouroperationsandvaluechainCarbonremovalsAddressourresidualemissionswithcarbonremovalsIntroductionAppendixEmpoweringindividualsGovernanceandengagementOperatingsustainablyWorkingtogether352023EnvironmentalReportMeasuringourcarbonfootprintWebegancalculatingourannualcarbonfootprintin2006.Everyyearsince2009,we’vepubliclyreportedtheresultstoCDP,aglobalorganizationthataskscompaniestodiscloseinformationontheirGHGemissionsperformanceandmanagement.In2022,ourtotalGHGemissionswereapproximately10.2millionmetrictonsofcarbondioxideequivalent(tCO2e),whichrepresentsourScope1,Scope2(market-based),andScope3emissions.In2022,ourtotaloperationalemissionswereapproximately2.9milliontCO2e,whereoperationalemissionsrepresentScope1andScope2(market-based)emissions,aswellasScope3emissionsfrombusinesstravelandemployeecommuting,includingteleworking(seeFigure11).FIGURE11OurcarbonfootprintScope1:91KtCO2eScope3(total):7.6MtCO2eScope2(market-based):2.5MtCO2eTotalemissions:10.2MtCO2eOperationalemissions:2.95MtCO2eScopeScope1Scope2Scope3Scope3Scope3Scope3Scope3Scope3Totalemissions10,183,400100%(market-based)BusinesstravelEmployeecommuting(includingteleworking)CapitalgoodsUpstreamtransportationanddistributionOthercategories(total)91,2002,492,200211,000151,0002,096,000556,0004,586,0007,600,0001%24%2%2%21%5%45%75%tCO2e%Scope1emissionsScope1emissionsrepresent1%ofourcarbonfootprint.OurmainsourcesofScope1emissionsincludetransportation(companyvehiclesandaircraft),fuelusefromback-upgenerators,naturalgasuse,andrefrigerantleakageinourdatacentersandoffices.Scope2emissionsScope2(market-based)emissionsrepresent24%ofourcarbonfootprint,mainlyduetotheelectricitydemandsofourdatacenters.Scope2emissionsarethusakeyfocusofourdecarbonizationefforts,giventhatwehavemoredirectcontroloverourdatacentersthanmanyotherpartsofourvaluechain.Foroveradecade,we’veprocuredcleanenergytoreducethecarbonemissionsfromourelectricityuse:ourScope2(location-based)emissions,whichdon’ttakeintoaccountourrenewableenergyprocurementthroughpowerpurchaseagreements(PPAs),represent51%ofourcarbonfootprint,demonstratingthedramaticemissionsreductionsthatwe’veachievedthroughPPAs.Scope3emissionsOurScope3emissionsareindirectemissionsfromothersourcesinourvaluechain,suchasoursuppliers,useofourconsumerhardwareproducts,andbusinesstravel.Themajorityoftheseemissionscomefromupstreammanufacturingofconsumerhardwareproducts,theproductionofcapitalgoodswehavepurchasedforuseinourdatacenters,anddatacenterconstruction.AfteraccountingfortheimpactofrenewableenergyprocurementthroughPPAs,Scope3emissionsrepresent75%ofourcarbonfootprint.FormoreinformationonourGHGemissions,seetheReportingapproachandmethodologysectionandourEnvironmentaldatatables.IntroductionAppendixEmpoweringindividualsGovernanceandengagementOperatingsustainablyWorkingtogether362023EnvironmentalReportReducingcarbonemissionsWe’reworkingtoreduceouremissionsacrossouroperationsandvaluechain.Keyeffortsincludeenergy-efficientandlow-carbonfacilities,electrification,sustainabletravelandcommuting,andsupplierengagement.Cleanenergyisalsocriticaltoreducingemissionsacrossourvaluechain.Procuringcarbon-freeenergyhasasignificantimpactonreducingourScope2emissionsbyeliminatingemissionsassociatedwithourelectricityuse.Inaddition,asignificantshareofourScope3emissionscanbetracedbacktotheelectricitygridsthatpoweroursuppliersandusers,soacceleratingthedecarbonizationofelectricitygridsisalsokeytoournet-zerogoal.Formoreinformation,seetheCarbon-freeenergysection.TARGETReduce50%ofourcombinedScope1,2(market-based),and3absoluteGHGemissionsbefore20302022PROGRESSTotalGHGemissions:10.2milliontCO2eDuetoamethodologychange,we’renotreportingapercentprogresstowardsthistargetfor2022DETAILSYearset:2021Baseyear:2019Targetyear:before2030Scope:PercentreductionincombinedScope1,2(market-based),and3absoluteemissionsacrossouroperationsandvaluechain,whencomparedtoa2019baseyear.Thisrepresentsouroperationsandvaluechain,includingconsumerhardwareproducts.OuremissionsreductiongoalIn2022,ourtotalGHGemissionswereapproximately10.2milliontCO2e.WerevisedourScope3methodologytocalculateupstreamemissionsrelatedtoconsumerhardwaremanufacturingbymovingawayfromusingaspend-basedmethodologytoaLifeCycleAssessment(LCA)-basedmethodology.Wealsomadeimprovementstothequalityofdatausedtoestimateouremissionsassociatedwithmanufacturingourdatacenterhardware,aswellastheLCAsandLCAemissionfactorsusedtocalculateemissionsrelatedtodatacenterconstruction.ThesechangesarereflectedinourreportedScope3emissionsforfiscalyear2022,butnotfortheprioryears.Hadwenotmadethesechanges,weestimatethatourreportedScope3emissionswouldhavebeenapproximately18%higher,remainingrelativelyflatwhencomparedtotheprioryear(seeFigure12).OurScope2(market-based)emissionsincreasedby37%,primarilyduetoincreaseddatacenterelectricityconsumptionandalackoffullregionalcoverageofrenewableenergyprocurementintheUnitedStatesandAsiaPacificregions.In2022,wereportedScope2(location-based)emissionsof8.0milliontCO2e,whichdoesn’ttakeintoaccountourrenewableenergyprocurement,andScope2(market-based)emissionsof2.5milliontCO2e.ThismeansthatthroughourPPAs,in2022,weachieveda69%reductioninouremissionsfromourelectricityuse(seeFigure17).Since2011,ourcarbonintensityperunitofrevenuehasdecreasedby76%whileourbusinessgrewsignificantlyoverthesameperiod.69WecontinueworkingtolowerthecorrelationbetweenourbusinessgrowthandourGHGemissions.FIGURE12Annualemissions20M10M(inmetrictonnesofcarbondioxideequivalent[tCO2e])12,528,00016,850,600201915,275,80010,322,100202016,124,30011,371,200202115,736,60010,183,4002022BaseyearScope3methodologychangeLegendTotalemissionsBusinessasusual(footprintinabsenceofPPAs)Estimateddifferencein2022totalemissionsduetoScope3methodologyupdateIn2022,ourreportedtotalGHGemissionsdecreasedduetoimprovementswemadetoourScope3accountingmethodology,whichwehaven’tyetappliedtoprioryears.Hadwenotmadethesemethodologychanges,weestimatethatourreported2022Scope3emissionswouldhavebeenapproximately18%higher,remainingrelativelyflatwhencomparedto2021.IntroductionAppendixEmpoweringindividualsGovernanceandengagementOperatingsustainablyWorkingtogether372023EnvironmentalReportEnergy-efficientandlow-carbonfacilitiesWepursueasetofintegratedstrategiestoreducethecarbonfootprintofourfacilities,includingenergyefficiency,buildingandfleetelectrification,on-sitegenerationofcleanenergy,andcarbon-freeenergyprocurement.Reducingwasteisanotherstrategy,whichiscoveredintheCirculareconomysection.Whendesigningourdatacentersandoffices,weconsideroptionstoreducetheircarbonimpacts,suchastheincorporationoflow-GHGmaterialsandadaptivereuseofexistingbuildings.Forexample,inSunnyvale,California,we’rebuildingourfirstground-upmasstimberbuilding,whichisprojectedtohave96%fewerembodiedcarbonemissionsthananequivalentsteelandconcretestructure,factoringinsequestration.70Preventingrefrigerantsfromleakingandfindinglow-globalwarmingpotential(GWP)alternativesiscriticalforreducingglobalemissions.71We’retakingstepstomoreaccuratelymeasurerefrigerantleakratesandworkingtodevelopnewtechnologysolutionsthatcanpreventemissionsfromtheseleaks.Forexample,atourdatacenters,we’redevelopinganddeployingcoolingsolutionsthatincludenatural,low-GWPrefrigerants.GoogleisafoundingmemberoftheiMasonsClimateAccord,anindustrycoalitionworkingtoreduceGHGemissionsacrossthetechnicalinfrastructuresystemsthatsupportthedigitaleconomy.Asapartofthiseffort,we’recollaboratingwithindustrypeerstohighlighttheimportanceoflow-GHGconstructionmaterials,suchasgreenerconcrete,andtoaccelerateprogressinthedevelopmentanddeploymentofthesematerials.In2022,wefiledapatentforusingmachinelearningtechnologytoimproveourabilitytopreventemissionsfromrefrigerantleaks.DatacentersGoogle’sdatacentersaretheengineofourcompany,poweringproductslikeGmail,GoogleCloud,Search,andYouTubeforbillionsofpeoplearoundtheworld.We’veworkedtomakeGoogle’sdatacenterssomeofthemostefficientintheworld,improvingtheirenvironmentalperformanceevenasdemandforourproductshasrisen.We’vedonethisbydesigning,building,andoperatingeachonetomaximizeefficientuseofenergy,water,andmaterials.Ourlong-standingdatacenterefficiencyeffortsareimportantbecauseourdatacentersrepresentthevastmajorityofourdirectelectricityuse.Toreducetheirenergyuse,westrivetobuildtheworld’smostenergy-efficientcomputingnetwork,outfittingeachdatacenterwithhigh-performanceserversthatwe’vecustom-designedtouseaslittleenergyaspossible.Forexample,ourtensorprocessingunitv4hasenabledustotrainmachinelearningalgorithmswithindustry-leadingefficiency,resultinginsignificantemissionsreductionscomparedtobusinessasusual.72Wealsoinstallsmarttemperatureandlightingcontrols,redesignhowpowerisdistributedtoreduceenergyloss,andemployadvancedcoolingtechniques,includingenergy-efficientevaporativecooling.Atsomesites,wealsorecaptureheatgeneratedbyourserversanduseittoheatourdatacenterofficespacesandotheron-sitefacilities.Wecontinuetoassessopportunities2022HIGHLIGHTComparedwithfiveyearsago,wenowdeliverapproximatelythreetimesasmuchcomputingpowerwiththesameamountofelectricalpower.73AvisualizationoftheroofofourlandmarkPlatformGofficedevelopmentinKing’sCross,London.IntroductionAppendixEmpoweringindividualsGovernanceandengagementOperatingsustainablyWorkingtogether382023EnvironmentalReportforoff-siteheatrecovery,whereenvironmentallysoundandtechnicallyfeasible,consideringtheremotelocationofmanyofourdatacentersandtheinfrastructurerequired.Heatrecoveryisalsoakeypartofourofficedevelopmentstrategy,aswellasoneofthemainleverstohelpuselectrify—becausereusingheatoftenrequireslessenergythancreatingnewheat.Oureffortshavepaidoff.Onaverage,aGoogle-ownedand-operateddatacenterismorethan1.5timesasenergyefficientasatypicalenterprisedatacenter74and,comparedwithfiveyearsago,wenowdeliverapproximatelythreetimesasmuchcomputingpowerwiththesameamountofelectricalpower.75In2022,theaverageannualpowerusageeffectiveness(PUE)76forourglobalfleetofdatacenterswas1.10,comparedwiththeindustryaverageof1.5577—meaningthatGoogledatacentersuseabout5.5timeslessoverheadenergyforeveryunitofITequipmentenergy.Since2012,ouraverageannualfleet-widePUEhasstayedatorbelow1.12(seeFigure13).In2022,wemaintainedourISO50001certificationforallGoogle-ownedand-operateddatacentersinEuropethatmetouroperationalthresholdforpowerusage.Wewerethefirstmajorinternetcompanytoachieveamulti-siteenergymanagementsystemcertificationtoISO50001,whichwefirstobtainedin2013.2022HIGHLIGHTOnaverage,aGoogle-ownedand-operateddatacenterismorethan1.5timesasenergyefficientasatypicalenterprisedatacenter.78Historically,researchhasshownthatasAI/MLcomputedemandhasgoneup,theenergyneededtopowerthistechnologyhasincreasedatamuchslowerratethanmanyforecastspredicted.Wehaveusedtestedpracticestoreducethecarbonfootprintofworkloadsbylargemargins;togethertheseprincipleshavereducedtheenergyoftrainingamodelbyupto100xandemissionsbyupto1,000x.Formoreinformation,seetheAIforsustainabilitysection.FIGURE13EnergyefficiencyatGoogle-ownedand-operateddatacenters1.201.181.161.141.121.101.0802010Trailing12-monthPUE2012201420162018202020221.10Trailing12-monthPUE79LegendOfficesFornewofficebuildingsandspaces,weoptimizeoverallperformance,includingbothefficiencyanduserexperience(seeFigure14onthenextpageforsomeexamples).Wedesigntointernationallyrecognizedandindustry-leadinggreenbuildingstandards,suchasLeadershipinEnergyandEnvironmentalDesign(LEED)certification,BuildingResearchEstablishmentEnvironmentalAssessmentMethod(BREEAM),andInternationalLivingFutureInstitute’s(ILFI)LivingBuildingChallenge(LBC)andZeroCarbonCertification.Asof2022,over1.8millionsquaremeters(nearly20millionsquarefeet)ofGoogleofficefacilitieshaveachievedLEEDcertification.OfourLEED-certifiedsquarefootage,27%hasachievedaPlatinumrating,and60%aGoldrating.Asweworktoimproveperformanceacrossourexistingportfolio,weuseenergymanagementstrategies,buildingoptimization,anddataanalyticstohelpdriveefficiencymeasureslikeequipmentupgrades,setpointadjustments,andlightingretrofits.2022HIGHLIGHTAsof2022,over1.8millionsquaremeters(nearly20millionsquarefeet)ofGoogleofficefacilitieshaveachievedLEEDcertification.WereceivedthehighestLEEDcertificationforourGooglestoreinNewYorkCity’sChelseaneighborhood.IntroductionAppendixEmpoweringindividualsGovernanceandengagementOperatingsustainablyWorkingtogether392023EnvironmentalReportFIGURE14Examplesofenergy-andcarbon-efficientGoogleoffices1105PeachtreeinAtlanta,Georgia,U.S.A.In2022,weopenedour1105Peachtreeoffice,whichisdesignedtomeetLEEDv4GoldCertification.Topromotelow-carboncommutes,it’slocatednearmasstransitandofferson-sitebikeparking.Italsoincludessmartbuildingtechnologythroughouttodecreaseenergyuse.6PancrasSquareinLondon,U.K.Our6PancrasSquareofficewasthefirstbuildingprojectintheworldtoreceiveILFIZeroCarbonCertification.It’salsocertifiedLEEDv2009PlatinumandreceivedaBREEAMExcellentrating.EnergyauditsinAsia-PacificIn2022,weconductedmorethan20energyauditsacrossourlargestAsiaPacificsites.Asaresult,weidentifiedmorethan200energyconservationmeasuresthatwe’renowactivelyimplementing—whichareprojectedtosaveatotalof5,600MWhofenergy.IntroductionAppendixEmpoweringindividualsGovernanceandengagementOperatingsustainablyWorkingtogether402023EnvironmentalReportElectrificationatourofficesElectrification—whichhelpsenabletransitioningawayfromfossilfuels—isanessentialfirststeptowarddecarbonizingouroperations,followedby24/7CFEprocurement.We’reexploringopportunitiestoelectrifyourfacilities,fromretrofittingexistingbuildingsystems,toincludingelectrificationstandardsfornewdevelopment,toworkingwithlandlordsonelectrification-friendlyleasesforbuildingswedon’town.We’vebeenpilotingtechnologiestoenablebuildingelectrificationsince2010.Forexample,ourfirstall-electricoffice—1842NorthShorelineinMountainView,California—hasbeeninoperationforoveradecade.Manyofthesepilotsledustoconfidentlyimplementnewtechnologyinourlargedevelopmentprojects.In2022,weadvancedacomprehensiveplantoelectrifysystemsacrossourbuildingportfolio.Morerecently,in2022,weopenedBayView—anall-electriccampuswithaninnovativegeothermalinstallationandthelargestelectrickitcheninourglobalportfolio.LearnmoreinourBayViewspotlight.We’realsoworkingtoeliminateuseofnaturalgasbydesigningall-electrickitchensatouroffices,includingintheBayArea,Europe,andLatinAmerica.2022HIGHLIGHTIn2022,weopenedBayView—anall-electriccampus.SustainabletravelandcommutingOurtransportationteamplans,implements,andoperatessustainablecommutingoptionsthathelpGooglersgettoworkbyridingshuttles,carpooling,takingpublictransit,biking,orwalking.Wehaveagrowingnumberofelectricvehiclesinourcorporatefleet,andthemajorityofourglobalfuelconsumptionfromnon-electricvehiclesisrenewablediesel.Westrivetoprovideelectricvehiclechargingstationsfor10%ofthetotalparkingspacesatourBayAreaheadquarters,andwecontinuetoworktowardthisdesignstandardfornewdevelopmentprojects.Todate,we’veinstalledmorethan5,000electricvehiclechargingportsatouroffices.WeestimatethatemployeeEVcommutingintheUnitedStatesandCanadapreventedroughly12,000tCO2eemissionsin2022.80Manycampusesoffercommutershuttlestoreduceindividualvehicletrips.In2022,welaunchedanexpansionofourall-electricbusesfortheBayAreaandareintroducingthesethroughout2023toreplaceourexistingfleet.For2022,ourshuttlebusesintheBayAreaproducedsavingsofmorethan10,000tCO2eemissions—theequivalentofavoidingmorethan41millionvehiclekm(25millionvehiclemiles)ortakingonaveragemorethan2,000carsofftheroadforayear.812022HIGHLIGHTGoogleshuttlebusesintheBayAreaproducedsavingsofmorethan10,000tCO2eemissions—theequivalentoftakingonaveragemorethan2,000carsofftheroadforayear.82SupplierengagementWeworkwithmanysuppliersthatarecommittedtosustainability,andwe’repartneringwiththemtodevelopdecarbonizationroadmapsandbuildessentialdatainfrastructuretoaccuratelyquantifyemissionsandreductionsacrossthevaluechain.Weengagewithoursuppliers—includinghardwaremanufacturingandindirectservicessuppliers—tohelpreducetheirenergyconsumptionandGHGemissions,asstatedinourSupplierCodeofConduct,whichallsuppliersarerequiredtosign.Weassesssuppliers’practicestoreport,manage,andreducetheiremissionsandincorporatethisintooursupplierscorecard.ReportingenvironmentaldataWeexpectalloursupplierstoreportenvironmentaldata,andweencouragethemtorespondtoCDP’sClimateChangesurvey.In2022,weinvited222supplierstoparticipate,andatleast90%ofourhardwaresuppliers,byspend,provideddata.Oursupplierdataisusedtohelpsetgoalsandprioritiesforoursustainabilityprogramandwecontinuetorefineourdataqualityandmethodologyforcalculatingthecarbonfootprintassociatedwiththemanufacturingofourhardwareproductsthroughouttheirlifecycle.In2022,inadditiontoourCDPsupplychaindisclosurerequests,weengagedwithsuppliersdirectlytodriveimproveddataandaccounting,includingincreasedcompletenessandaccuracyfortheirScope1,2,and3emissions.DevelopingroadmapstoreduceemissionsSincesettingournet-zeroemissionsgoal,we’veengagedourkeysupplierstodeveloproadmapstoreduceemissionsacrossoursupplychain.DuringGoogle’s2022SupplierSustainabilitySummit,wecommunicatedtheexpectationforsupplierstopubliclysettargetstoreduceGHGemissions.Weprovidein-depthtrainingforkeysuppliersonsettingambitiousGHGreductionandrenewableelectricitytargets.ForsuppliersthatcompletedourCDPsupplychainsurvey,75%reportedhavingGHGemissionsreductiontargets,andofthosesuppliers,36%reportedthattheirtargetisscience-based.Weaimtoaccelerateoursuppliers’GHGemissionsreductionsthroughfurtherintegrationofclimateperformanceintokeyprocurementtoolsandthedevelopmentofnewmechanismstodrivedeepsupplierdecarbonization.IntroductionAppendixEmpoweringindividualsGovernanceandengagementOperatingsustainablyWorkingtogether412023EnvironmentalReportAdvancingcarbon-freeenergyOurprimaryapproachforreducingourScope2emissionsisthroughtheprocurementofcarbon-freeenergy.83Since2017,we’vematched100%oftheelectricityconsumptionofourglobaloperationswithpurchasesofrenewableenergyonanannualbasis.84However,becauseofdifferencesintheavailabilityofrenewableenergysourceslikesolarandwindacrosstheregionswhereweoperate—andbecauseofthevariablesupplyoftheseresources—westillneedtorelyoncarbon-emittingenergysourcesthatpowerlocalgrids(seeFigure15).That’swhy,in2020,wesetagoaltorunon24/7carbon-freeenergyoneverygridwhereweoperateby2030,aimingtoprocurecleanenergytomeetourelectricityneeds,everyhourofeveryday,withineverygridwhereweoperate.Achievingthiswillalsoincreasetheimpactofourcleanenergyprocurementonthedecarbonizationofthegridsthatserveus.85We’reworkingtoachieve24/7CFEthroughthreemaininitiatives:purchasingcarbon-freeenergy,acceleratingnewandimprovedtechnologies,andtransformingtheenergysystemthroughpartnershipsandadvocacy.FIGURE15Hourlycarbon-freeenergyperformanceatanexampledatacenterWhileGooglebuyslargeamountsofwindandsolarpower(symbolizedbygreenspikesbelow),theseresourcesarevariable,meaningthatourdatacentersstillsometimesrelyoncarbon-basedresources.DatacenterelectricitydemandJanuary1December31LegendGapsincarbon-freeenergyCarbon-freeenergysupplyPurchasingcarbon-freeenergyAchieving24/7CFEisfarmorecomplexandtechnicallychallengingthanannuallymatchingourenergyusewithrenewableenergypurchases.Nocompanyofoursizehasachieved24/7CFEbefore,andthere’snoplaybookformakingithappen.Butweseeoureffortsaspartofabiggerpicture,andwe’vesetthisambitiousgoaltohelpscalenew,globalsolutions.We’reexcitedtoseeothers—liketheU.S.federalgovernment—setsimilargoalsaswell.RenewableenergyprocurementWebuyelectricitydirectlyfromnewwindandsolarfarmsvialong-termPPAsonthegridswhereweoperate,andwealsobuyrenewablepowerthroughutilitiesviarenewableenergypurchasingmodelsthatwehelpedcreate.From2010to2022,wesignedmorethan80agreementstotalingapproximately10GWofcleanenergygenerationcapacity—theequivalentofmorethan31millionsolarpanels.Throughtheseagreements,weestimatewe’llspendapproximately$10billiontopurchasecleanenergythrough2040.86In2022,wesignedcontractsforapproximately2.8GWofcleanenergycapacity—morethaninanyprioryear.ThisincludedtwonewprojectsintheU.K.andSpain,ourfirstineachcountry,thatwillhelpourCloudregionsandofficesmovecloserto24/7CFE.2022HIGHLIGHTFrom2010to2022,wesignedmorethan80agreementstotalingapproximately10GWofcleanenergygenerationcapacity.Throughtheseagreements,weestimatewe’llspendapproximately$10billiontopurchasecleanenergygloballythrough2040.87MaevaarawindfarminSweden(105MWforGoogle)IntroductionAppendixEmpoweringindividualsGovernanceandengagementOperatingsustainablyWorkingtogether422023EnvironmentalReportIn2022,wealsosawprojectswe’dcontractedoverthepastfewyearsbecomingoperationalinBelgium,Chile,Denmark,andFinland—providingimportantcleanenergyresourcestothegridswhereweoperate,andbringinguscloserto24/7CFE:•Belgium:AtourfacilityinSt.Ghislain,Belgium,weinstalledthefirst-everbattery-basedbackuppowersystemforadatacenter.•Chile:In2019,GooglesignedacontractwithAESChiletobuild23newwindturbinesinChile’sBiobíoregion.Theprojectispartofahybridwindandsolarportfoliothatadds125MWofcleanenergygenerationcapacity.Withthiswindfarmnowoperational,ourdatacenterinChileoperatedat90%CFEin2022.•Denmark:TheRødbyFjordsolarprojectbeganaddingcarbon-freeenergytothegridthatpowersourdatacenterinFredericia,Denmark.Intotal,thisprojectadds54.5MWofgenerationcapacitytothemorethan100MWofexistingoperationalsolarresourcesinDenmark.•Finland:GooglesignedacontractwithIlmatarforapproximately60%ofthe211MWgenerationcapacityPiiparinmäki,Finland’slargestwindfarm,whichwascompletedinNovember2021.Google’searlyagreementtobuytheoutputofthisprojectwascriticaltothewindfarmgettingbuilt,andin2022itbecamefullyoperationalandbeganfeedingintothegridthatpowersourHaminadatacenter.In2017,webecamethefirstmajorcompanytomatch100%oftheannualelectricityconsumptionofourglobaloperationswithrenewableenergypurchases.Asoftheendof2022,we’venowachievedsixconsecutiveyearsof100%renewableenergymatchingonanannualbasis(seeFigure16).Googlefirstachieved100%REmatchElectricityconsumption(TWh)Googlepublicgoalto100%REmatch201121.7822201816141210864202022100%2020100%2021100%2019100%2018100%2017100%201661%201548%201437%201335%201234%FIGURE16RenewableenergypurchasingcomparedwithtotalelectricityuseTotalelectricityconsumptionRenewableenergy%LegendFrom2011to2022,ourrenewableenergypurchasinghasresultedinemissionssavingsofmorethan30milliontCO2e—equivalenttotakingmorethan6millioncarsofftheroadforayear,orthecarbonsequesteredbymorethan36millionacresofU.S.forestsinayear88(seeFigure17).201120228.052020202120192018201720162015201420132012802462.49Scope2emissions(milliontCO2e)FIGURE17AnnualimpactofrenewableenergypurchasesonScope2emissionsWithoutrenewableenergyWithrenewableenergyLegendRødbysolarfarminDenmark(55MWforGoogle)IntroductionAppendixEmpoweringindividualsGovernanceandengagementOperatingsustainablyWorkingtogether432023EnvironmentalReportTARGETRunon24/7carbon-freeenergyoneverygridwhereweoperateby20302022PROGRESS64%globalaveragecarbon-freeenergyacrossourdatacentersandofficesDETAILSYearset:2020Baseyear:N/ATargetyear:2030Scope:Regional%carbon-freeenergyscores89,averagedacrossGoogle’sglobalportfolioofdatacentersandofficesfor2022.Thisrepresentsthecleanenergyprocuredtomeetourelectricityneeds,everyhourofeveryday,withineverygridwhereweoperate.In2022,weexpandedourreportingfromonlyGoogle-ownedand-operateddatacenterstoalsoincorporateofficesandthird-partydatacenters.24/7CFEprogressWebelieveintransparencyasaguidingprinciple,sothisyear,we’reexpandingourcarbon-freeenergyreporting.Forthefirsttime,we’reincludingCFEscoresforbothGoogle-ownedand-operateddatacentersandthird-partyfacilitieswhereGoogleleasesspaceanddataprocessingcapacitytosupportourservices.Asaresult,therearenewgridregions90includedinthisyear’sreporting.We’realsoincludingaseparateCFEscoreoftheglobalaverageforouroffices.DatacentersIn2022,weachievedapproximately64%round-the-clockcarbon-freeenergyacrossallofourdatacentersites,inclusiveofthoseoperatedbythirdparties.Our2022CFErepresentsa2%changefrom2021(66%CFE),asaresultofupdatingourmetricthisyeartoincludethird-partyoperatedfacilities.Withoutthischangeinmethodology,CFEforGoogle-ownedand-operateddatacenterswouldhaveremainedrelativelyflatyear-over-year.Ourtotalelectricityloadacrossalldatacenterfacilitiesincreasedbyroughly3TWh(18%)from2021to2022,whileourcontractedCFE91increasedbyroughly2TWh(17%).Despitethissignificantexpansionofcarbon-freeenergysupply,thepercentageofourenergyusethatcamefromcarbon-freesourcesremainedrelativelyflatbecauseofthesignificantgrowthinourtotalelectricityload.BeyondthechallengeofgrowingourCFEprocurementtokeepupwithourgrowingpowerdemand,lastyearwealsofacedheadwindsthatmadeitmorechallengingtopurchaseCFE—includingcontinueddisruptionstorenewableenergysupplychains,delaysforinterconnectingnewutility-scaleprojects,andincreaseddemandforcleanenergyprojects.Addingtothesedifficulties,loadgrowthcontinuedinregionswhereCFEcontractingisespeciallydifficultgivenlocalmarketdynamicsandresourceavailabilityconstraints(suchasthePJM[Pennsylvania-NewJersey-Maryland]gridregionintheeasternUnitedStatesandcertainAsiaPacificgridregions).Despitethesesignificantheadwinds,we’reproudoftheprogresswewereabletomakeacrossmanyofourdatacenterfacilities.Sevenofour41gridregionsachievedatleast90%CFE,and13achievedatleast85%CFE(seeFigure18).These13gridregionsspanNorthAmerica,LatinAmerica,andEurope.WhileloadgrewsignificantlywithinthecentralUnitedStates,ourCFEprocurementinthisregionkeptpace—keepingtheMidcontinentIndependentSystemOperatorandSouthwestPowerPoolamongourhighest-scoringgridregions.WeincreasedourcontractedCFEintheU.K.,Finland,andGermany.ToseemoredataregardingCFEbyregion,seetheEnvironmentaldatatable.OfficesForouroffices,whichrepresentasmallportionofourglobalCFEscore,weachievedapproximately56%round-the-clockcarbon-freeenergy.CFEforcommercialrealestatefacesdifferentchallenges,includingvariabilityinbuildingcharacteristics,workpatterns,andgeographiclocationswithabroadrangeofelectricitygridcarbonintensities.Inadditiontohelpingusachieveourownclimategoals,pursuingCFEforourofficescanhelpexpandcleanenergyoptionsinthecitieswecallhome.GoldenHillswindfarminCalifornia(43MWforGoogle)IntroductionAppendixEmpoweringindividualsGovernanceandengagementOperatingsustainablyWorkingtogether442023EnvironmentalReportFIGURE18Globaldatacentercarbon-freeenergymapCHILE90%TENNESSEE63%OREGON89%OKLAHOMA87%IOWA96%NEBRASKA87%NEVADA27%TEXAS41%UTAH31%IRELAND39%BELGIUM80%NETHERLANDS57%ALABAMA63%JAPAN16%GEORGIA40%SOUTHCAROLINA26%NORTHCAROLINA63%VIRGINIA60%TAIWAN18%FINLAND97%DENMARK90%SINGAPORE4%OHIO60%100%matchwithcarbon-freeenergy0%matchwithcarbon-freeenergyMidnight12:0006:0018:00HowtoreadclocksExampleIn2022,Googlereached64%carbon-freeenergygloballyonanhourlybasis.Thisperformancevariedwidelybyregion,withsevenofourregionsachievingatleast90%carbon-freeenergy,andthirteenachievingatleast85%.IntroductionAppendixEmpoweringindividualsGovernanceandengagementOperatingsustainablyWorkingtogether452023EnvironmentalReportInnovativepurchasingmodelsOurearlyadoptionandlong-termsupportofcleanenergyprojectshascoincidedwiththerapidgrowthoftheindustryandremarkabledeclinesinthecostofsolarandwindpower.92Alongtheway,we’vepioneeredinnovativenewcontractingmodelsandindustrypartnershipstohelpacceleratetheadoptionofcorporatecleanenergypracticesandmakecleanenergymoreaccessibletoawiderrangeofcorporatebuyers.NewcontractingapproachesIn2022,wepublishedawhitepaperoutliningdetailsoftheCFEManagermodel,anewapproachtocleanenergyprocurementthatcanhelpawiderangeofenergybuyersstreamlinetheircleanenergypurchasing.WesharethreecasestudieswhereGooglerecentlysignedCFEManageragreements—inVirginia,Germany,andCalifornia—anddiscusssomecontractualtermsandissuesthatbuyerspursuingtheseagreementsshouldconsider.InadditiontotheCFEmanagermodel,in2022wepilotedanewapproachtocleanenergyrequestsforproposalsthatcanreducethetimetonegotiateandexecuteacleanenergyPPAbyupto80%.We’rehopefulthisnewapproachwillgivecleanenergybuyersandsellersusefulnewoptionsfornegotiatingPPAs,andenableallorganizationsthatwanttodecarbonizetheirelectricityusetojoinusonthejourneyto24/7CFE.HelpinglocalcommunitiesFinally,webelievethatourcleanenergyprocurementshouldn’tonlybenefittheclimate,butalsothelocalcommunitiesthathostourfacilities—inparticular,historicallyunderservedcommunitiesthathaven’ttypicallybenefitedfromthecleanenergytransition.Threeyearsago,westartedajourneytobetterunderstandhowwecanhelplowerbarrierstoanequitablecleanenergytransition,culminatingintwoadditionstoourcleanenergyprocurementapproachthatrespondtothosechallenges.Thefirstprogramextendscleanenergy’sfinancialbenefitstolocalcommunities.Throughafirst-of-its-kindpartnershipwithEDPRNADistributedGeneration,we’llcreatea500MWcommunity-basedsolarportfolio,addingcleanenergytotheregionalU.S.PJMpowergridandprovidingGooglewithRenewableEnergyCreditsthatcontributeto24/7CFE.Atleast10%oftheportfolio’srevenueswillberedirectedannuallyforupto15yearsasutilitybillcreditstomorethan25,000householdsfacingahighenergyburden.Thesecondprogramaimstospurlong-terminvestmentstoimprovehousinginfrastructure.ThroughapartnershipwithSolSystems,we’reprovidingfundingtothreeruralelectriccooperativesandoneregionalorganizationwithdeeprootsinNorthCarolinaandSouthCarolinatoundertakecriticalhomepre-weatherizationandsafetyupgradesforlow-andmoderate-incomehouseholds.Alongsidethisinvestment,thepartnershipwilldelivernewsolarenergyandbatterystorageresources,movinguscloserto24/7CFEandbringingcleanenergytooneofthemostchallenginggridstodecarbonize.BothoftheseprogramsarebasedondiscussionswithU.S.governmentofficials,nationalNGOs,andpolicyadvocatesaboutchallengestoanequitableenergytransitionintheircommunities.We’llcontinuetobuildontheseprogramstoextendthebenefitsofourinvestmentstounderservedcommunities.AcceleratingnewandimprovedtechnologiesWindandsolarpowerhaveplayedacriticalroleinenablingGoogle’scleanenergyprogress,butmeeting24/7CFE—andmaximizingourcontributiontoglobaldecarbonization—willrequireexpandingourtechnologytoolkit.In2022,wecontinuedtoworkonawiderangeofprojectstodemonstrate,scale,andmaximizetheclimateimpactofcarbon-freeenergytechnologies,usingGoogle’sengineeringcapabilitiesandpurchasingdemandtoacceleratethecommercializationofnewcleanenergytechnologies:•OptimizinggenerationfromexistingCFEtechnologies:ToreducethecarbonfootprintofournewBayViewandCharlestonEastcampuses,wedesignedandinstalled“dragonscale,”anewsolarroofingtechnologythathelpsuspowerourfacilitiesthroughon-sitegeneration.LearnmoreinourBayViewspotlight.•Managingenergydemandacrossourglobaloperations:Wedevelopeda“carbon-intelligentcomputingplatform”thatoptimizesthetimingandlocationofcomputingtasksbasedonlocalCFEavailability.Thisallowsustoshiftsomeofourdatacenters’computingtaskstothetimesofdaywhenlocalsolarandwindpoweraremostplentiful,andtoshifttasksgeographicallyacrossdatacenterssothatwecandomorecomputinginregionswhereCFEisabundant.•Acceleratingnextgenerationenergysources:In2021,wesignedthefirstcorporateagreementtodevelopanext-generationgeothermalpowerproject,andin2022,weinstalledthefirst-everbattery-basedbackuppowersystemforadatacenteratourfacilityinSt.Ghislain,Belgium.ThisapplicationwillenableGoogletooptimizethecarbonfootprintofbackuppower,buyinglocal,low-carbonpowerforbackupwhenavailableratherthanrelyingondieselgenerators.•Improvingenergydataandcleanenergytracking:Googleisdrivingthedevelopmentofadvancedmethodsfortrackingcleanenergy,includingtime-basedenergyattributecertificates.We’realsoworkingtoimprovethequality,consistency,andgranularityofgridelectricitydatathroughactivecollaborationswithorganizationsincludingEnergyTag,ElectricityMaps,FlexiDAO,andmore.We’redeployingmachinelearningsolutionstooptimizewindpowerforecastingandprojecteconomics.ForourBayViewcampus,afirst-of-its-kindbuilding-integratedsolarpanelcalled“dragonscale”wasdevelopedtocreateaseamlessdesign.(Photo:IwanBaan)IntroductionAppendixEmpoweringindividualsGovernanceandengagementOperatingsustainablyWorkingtogether462023EnvironmentalReportTransformingtheenergysystemthroughpartnershipsandadvocacyGlobalsearchinterestin“sustainableenergy”reachedanall-timehighinMarch2022.93Our24/7CFEeffortsaredesignedtomaximizeourcontributiontothedecarbonizationofpowergridsworldwide.That’swhywe’resupportingotherstojoinusonthejourneyto24/7CFE,bysharinginsightsandlessonswe’relearningandnewapproacheswe’redeveloping.OnesuchexampleistheUnitedNations24/7Carbon-freeEnergyCompact,whichwehelpedlaunchwithSustainableEnergyforAllandotherpartnersin2021.TheCompactisaglobalcommunitydedicatedtobuildingthetechnologies,policies,tools,ideas,andadvocacyneededtoacceleratethedecarbonizationofelectricitygrids.InEurope,weworkwiththeEuropean24/7CFEHub,acollaborationwithEurelectrictocreateaplatformwhereenergybuyers,suppliers,andpolicymakerscanmeettolearnmoreabout24/7CFEandreceivetechnicaltrainingandimplementationguidance.PublicpolicyandadvocacyInadditiontocorporateaction,werecognizethatthecleanenergytransitionalsorequiresstrongactionsfromgovernments,andwecallforambitiouspublicpoliciesaimedatdecarbonizingelectricitygridsworldwide.In2022,wepublishedafirst-of-its-kindpolicyroadmapsharingourrecommendationsforenergypolicyandmarketreformstoaccelerateelectricitydecarbonization,informedbyourexperiencesasalargeenergyuserandcleanenergybuyeraroundtheworld.Asweadvancetowardourgoalof24/7CFE,we’recommittedtoworkingwithothersandadvocatingforcleanenergypoliciesthatcanenable24/7CFEforallenergyconsumersbydecarbonizingelectricitygridsatthescaleandpacerequiredtomeettheworld’sclimatechallenge.Wealsorecognizethataccurate,comprehensive,andactionablecorporateGHGinventoriesareessentialtohelpcompaniesunderstandtheircarbonfootprintsanddeterminehowtomitigateemissions.That’swhywerecentlysubmittedcommentsinresponsetoanopensurveyonthefutureoftheGreenhouseGasProtocol(GHGP).UpdatingtheGHGPwilldrivecontinuedimprovementsintheaccuracyofcompanies’GHGinventories,providingusefulinformationthatenablesthemtomakedecisionsandtakeactionsthatdrivereal,measurableGHGreductions.Formoreinformationonourpublicpolicyandadvocacy,seetheGovernanceandengagementsection.CFEinvestmentsGoogleworkswithsuppliersaroundtheworld.Theelectricitygridsinmanycountrieswhereoursuppliersoperatelacksufficientcarbon-freeenergycapacitytosupportrapidlygrowingdemand,andmayevenfaceenergyshortagesthataffectnotjustmanufacturingbutalsothecommunitiesandlivelihoodsofthepeopleintheseregions.Ourlong-termvisionisthatallofoursuppliers—forhardwaremanufacturing,transport,logistics,andindirectservices—andtheircommunitieshaveaccesstoreliable,cost-effective,carbon-freeenergy.Andwe’llgetthereonlythroughsignificantglobalinvestmentinnewwind,solar,andothercleanenergycapacity,aswellasmorerobustgridsystems.Inadditiontopurchasingrenewableenergyforourownoperations,wealsomaketargetedinvestmentsinrenewableenergy.Investmentinrenewablecapacityisascalableapproachtocreatingsystem-levelchangebydrivinggriddecarbonizationandenablinggreateraccesstocarbon-freeenergy.Thisisespeciallysignificantinmarketswherecredibleprocurementmechanismsforcleanenergyarenascentornonexistent.Weaimtoinvestincleanenergyprojectsthatreduceemissionsandservemanufacturingoperationsacrossoursupplychain.Googleaimstoenable5GWofnewcarbon-freeenergythroughinvestmentsinourkeymanufacturingregionsby2030.In2022,wesignedagreementstoinvestapproximately$350milliontosupport0.5GWofrenewableenergyprojectstowardsthis5GWtotal.Thisbuildsonourlong-standingtrackrecordinthisspace;From2010to2022,weenteredintoagreementstoinvestnearly$2.9billioninrenewableenergyprojectswithanexpectedcombinedgenerationcapacityofapproximately4.2GW.Towardsour5GWgoal,Google’sinvestmentswillbetargetedtosupportbringingadditionalcarbon-freeenergycapacityonlineinkeymanufacturingregionsaroundtheglobe,includinginNorthAmerica,LatinAmerica,Europe,andAsiaPacific.SuchprojectsmayreduceGoogle’scarbonfootprintdirectly,mayreduceaGooglesupplier’scarbonfootprint,ormaysimplyhelpdecarbonizethelocalgrid.AsiaPacific—acriticalregionforoursuppliers—isoneofthemostchallengingregionsforcontractingorinvestingincarbon-freeenergyprojects.94Makingcarbon-freeenergyinvestmentsinkeyAsiaPacificregionsis,andwillcontinuetobe,anareaofdeepfocusforGooglemovingforward.Googlehasidentifiedseveralpromisingcarbon-freeenergyinvestmentopportunitiesintheregion,allofwhichareinvariousstagesofduediligence.CFEforsupplieroperationsMoreofoursuppliersareusingrenewableenergy.OfthesuppliersinvitedtoreporttoGoogleviaCDPSupplyChain,26%(58suppliers)saidtheyhaverenewableenergytargets,and12%(26suppliers)havetargetsthatarepartoftheRE100initiative.Toacceleratedecarbonizationofoursupplychain,we’reengagingwithourkeysupplierstoencouragethemtocommittoprocuring100%renewableenergyfortheiroperations.Ourworkinincreasingsupplieraccesstorenewableenergyisintentionallyinclusive.WeaimforourinvestmentsinrenewableenergyandenergyefficiencytodrivebettermanufacturingacrossGoogle’ssupplychainand—importantly—toreducetheenvironmentalimpactofmanufacturingforpeopleandcommunitiesaroundtheworld.Lookingahead,we’reworkingto:•CloseourfirstrenewableenergyinvestmentdealinakeyAsiaPacificmanufacturingregion,workingtowardourbroadergoaltoenable5GWofnewcarbon-freeenergyinkeyregionsby2030.•Increaseaccesstocost-effectiverenewableenergyatscaleforsupplychainpartnersinkeymanufacturingregionsthroughdirectsupplierandpublicpolicyengagements.•Participateinadvocacyeffortsrelatedtosupplychainrenewableenergyandcarbonmitigation,workingcollaborativelywithindustry-leadinginstitutionstoresearchsolutionsandsharebestpractices.IntroductionAppendixEmpoweringindividualsGovernanceandengagementOperatingsustainablyWorkingtogether472023EnvironmentalReportManagingresidualemissionsWeaimtoavoidorreduceGHGemissionstoreachourabsoluteemissionsreductiontarget,buttherearesomeemissionsthatwillremaindifficulttoabate.We’retakingmultipleapproachestoaddresstheseresidualemissionsandareaimingtoplayanimportantroleinadvancingthedevelopmentanddeploymentofnature-basedandtechnology-basedcarbonremovalsolutions.Aswecontinuetobuildouttheseefforts,we’llshareanannualdisclosureofouruseofcarboncreditsandremovalsonourpathtonet-zeroemissions.Thiswillincludeinformationaboutourcriteria,approach,andportfolio,includingdetailsonprojectpurchasesandanyrelevantcertifications.2022HIGHLIGHTWecontributed$200milliontoFrontier,anadvancedmarketcommitmentthat’sacceleratingthedevelopmentofcarbonremovaltechnologies,asoneoffivecompaniesthatmadea$925milliontotalpledge.CarbonremovalsolutionsWhilepermanentcarbonremovalsolutionsaren’tyeteconomicallyviableordeployedatscale,theIPCCstatedin2022that“thedeploymentofcarbondioxideremoval(CDR)tocounterbalancehard-to-abateresidualemissionsisunavoidableifnet-zeroemissionsaretobeachieved.”95That’swhywe’resupportingthedevelopmentandcommercializationofemergingcarbonremovaltechnologies,aswellasthedevelopmentofinitiativestoensuretheintegrityandclimateimpactofCDRsolutions.Startingin2022,webeganfundingthedevelopmentofnature-basedandtechnology-basedcarbonremovalsolutions.AttheWorldEconomicForumAnnualMeetingin2022,GooglejoinedtheFirstMoversCoalition.AsachampionfortheCarbonDioxideRemovalsector,Googlecommittedtocontractfordurableandscalablenetcarbondioxideremovaltobeachievedbytheendof2030.In2022,wecontributed$200milliontowardsa$925milliontotalpledgetoFrontier,anadvancedmarketcommitmentthat’sacceleratingthedevelopmentofcarbonremovaltechnologiesbyguaranteeingfuturedemand.AsafoundingmemberofFrontier,we’resigningourfirstofftakedealsin2023,withremovalsexpectedtobedeliveredstartingin2024.Already,Frontierhasannounceditsfirstdeal,apartnershipwiththestart-upCharmIndustrialtoremove112,000tonsofCO2between2024and2030.StrengtheningcarbonmarketsWhileCDRtechnologiesarebeingprovenandscaledovertheshorttomediumterm,webelievethatcarboncreditscanplayavaluableroleinkeepingtheworldontrackfora1.5ºCfuture.Since2007,we’vesupportedthecaptureanddestructionofhighlypotentgreenhousegassesthroughtheprocurementofhigh-qualitycarboncredits.Sincewebeganprocuringhigh-qualitycarboncredits,we’velearnedalotfromourexperience—includingtheimportanceofdevelopingandfollowingguidingprinciplesrelatedtocreditquality,implementingrobustvalidationprocesses,andestablishinglong-termpartnershipswithprojectownersanddevelopers.We’renowworkingtohelpstrengthencarboncreditmarketsthroughengagementwithothercompaniesandstakeholdersinthescientific,academic,andNGOcommunities.We’repartneringonimprovingmeasurement,reporting,andverificationanddevelopingtoolstosupportrobust,well-functioningmarkets.Forexample,Google.orghascontributedmorethan$6milliontoeffortstostrengthencarbonmarkets,digitizetheirinfrastructure,andsetstandardsforhigh-qualitycarboncredits.Aswemoveforwardonourpathtonet-zeroemissions,we’llcontinuetoevolveourapproachtocounterbalancingourresidualemissions.Googleandclean-energystartupFervosignedtheworld’sfirstcorporateagreementtodevelopanext-generationgeothermalpowerproject.IntroductionAppendixEmpoweringindividualsGovernanceandengagementOperatingsustainablyWorkingtogether482023EnvironmentalReportThejourneyaheadAswemoveforwardonourjourneytoreduceouremissions,we’llcontinuetofocusbothonourownfootprintandonthelargersystemsthatserveus—fromelectricitygridstotransportationnetworkstomaterialssupplychains.We’vemadegreatprogressinprocuringcleanenergy,butwestillhavealongwaytogotomeetour2030net-zerotarget.Werecognizewe’llfacemanychallengesalongtheway,forexample:•Meetingourgrowingenergyneeds•Availabilityofcarbon-freeenergy•CostandlimitedvolumesofcarbonremovalsFormoredetails,seetheChallengestoaddresssectionabove.Wealsoknowwecan’tgettherealone.Toscaleourwork,we’vecreatedtools,whitepapers,andcasestudiestohelpothersadoptsomeoftheapproachesthathaveworkedforus.•TheCFEmanager:Anewmodelfordrivingdecarbonizationimpact•Time-basedenergyattributecertificatesThecleanenergytransitionalsorequiresstrongactionsfromgovernments,andwecallforambitiouspublicpoliciesaimedatdecarbonizingelectricitygridsworldwide.•Policyrecommendationstoacceleratecarbon-freeenergyUltimately,achievingacarbon-freefutureforallrequiresrapidandfar-reachingtransformationstothesesystems,andaswegrowoureffortstowardsnet-zeroemissionsforourownfootprint,we’llprioritizeactionswherewecanmakeuniquecontributionsandmaximizeourimpactonlargersystemschange.LEARNMORE•AcceleratingclimateactionatGoogleandbeyond:Aprogressupdate•24/7carbon-freeenergy:MethodologiesandmetricsElRomerosolarfarminChile(80MWforGoogle)IntroductionAppendixEmpoweringindividualsGovernanceandengagementOperatingsustainablyWorkingtogether492023EnvironmentalReportWaterstewardshipWeaimtoreplenishmorewaterthanweconsumeandhelpimprovewaterqualityandecosystemhealthinthecommunitieswhereweoperateOurambitionOurapproachAdvancingresponsiblewateruseBenefitingwatershedsandcommunitiesSupportingwatersecuritywithtechnologyThejourneyaheadOurambitionTheworldisfacinganunprecedentedwatercrisis,withglobalfreshwaterdemandpredictedtoexceedsupplyby40%by2030.96Climatechangehasexacerbatedwaterstress,causingdestabilizingdroughtsandunpredictablefloodingaroundtheworld.In2021,weannouncedourcommitmenttowaterstewardship:weaimtoreplenish120%ofthefreshwater97volumeweconsume,onaverage,acrossourofficesanddatacentersby2030,andhelprestoreandimprovethequalityofwaterandhealthofecosystemsinthecommunitieswhereweoperate.Thisambitionisbold,particularlywhenconsideringboththegrowthofourbusinessandthechallengesandcomplexitiesofglobalwaterstewardshipwork.Understandingthemostimpactfulinterventionrequireslocalcontext,andwaterreplenishmentisstillamaturingfieldwithsomelimitationstoidentifyingready-to-implementprojectopportunities.We’reworkingtoachievethisreplenishmenttargetthroughcontinuedandscaledinvestmentsinprojectsthatarelocatedwithinthewatershedswerelyontoprovidewatertoourdatacentersandoffices.Weworkwithexternalpartnerstoimplementtheseprojects,whichdeliverbothvolumetricwaterbenefitsandimproveotherlocallyrelevantaspectsofwatershedhealth,suchaswaterquality,communitywateraccess,andbiodiversity.OurapproachAtGoogle,weusewatertohelpcoolourdatacenters,andinourofficesaroundtheworld.Waterisalsousedthroughoutourvaluechain,inthemanufacturingofbothconsumerhardwareproductsanddatacenterequipment.Weworktodrivewaterefficiencyandreuseacrossourglobaloperations,fromreducingourpotablewateruseintensityatourSanFranciscoBayAreaheadquarterstousingseawaterforcoolingatourdatacenterinHamina,Finland.Ourwaterstewardshipstrategyiscenteredonassessingandaddressingwater-relatedriskstoourbusinessandtheopportunitieswehavetonotjustmitigatethoserisks,butalsocreatesolutionsthatcanbescaledbeyondourowncorporatefootprint.Wealsostrivetopartnerwithotherstoaddressthissharedchallenge.Whenitcomestoaddressingsharedwaterchallenges,technologycanbeausefultooltobringvisibilitytothesechallengestoenablesmarter,moreinformeddecision-making.We’rebuildingtoolstomakewaterdataandtechnologyuniversallyaccessible,enablingeffectivewaterstewardshipandimprovingtheresilienceofwatershedsandecosystems.IntroductionAppendixEmpoweringindividualsGovernanceandengagementOperatingsustainablyWorkingtogether502023EnvironmentalReportAdvancingresponsiblewateruseWe’recommittedtoadvancingandenhancingourwatermanagementpracticesacrossouroperationalfootprintatGoogle’sofficesanddatacentersaroundtheworld.Wecontinuetocollaborate,test,andshareourlearningsonresponsiblewateruse.Thisincludesacceleratingwaterreusepracticesacrossourofficesanddatacenters,andtailoringsite-specificsolutionsbasedonfacilitytypes,locations,andlocalwatercontexts.In2022,totalwaterconsumptionatourdatacentersandofficeswas5.6billiongallons—theequivalentofwhatittakestoirrigate37golfcoursesannually,onaverage,inthesouthwesternUnitedStates.98Whereverfeasible,wetrytousenon-potablesourcesoffreshwaterandalternativestofreshwater.Aspartofourcommitmenttousingwaterresponsibly,weevaluateandtakeintoaccountlocalwaterstresswhendecidingwheretolocateourfacilities,howtodesignthem,andhowtooperatethem—fromwatersystemsinourofficestocoolingsystemsinourdatacenters.That’swhy,in2022,82%ofourfreshwaterwithdrawalscamefromregionswithlowwaterstress.99Inlocationsfacingwaterstress,we’reactivelyexploringnewpartnershipsandopportunitiestoimproveoverallwatershedhealthandresilience.Byworkingtoreplenishmorethanweconsume,we’restrivingtohelpaddressthewaterscarcitygap.OurwaterstewardshipfocusareasFIGURE19AdvanceresponsiblewateruseEnhanceourstewardshipofwaterresourcesacrossGoogleofficecampusesanddatacentersBenefitwatershedsandcommunitiesCollaboratetoreplenishourfreshwaterconsumptionandimprovewatershedhealthwhilesupportingecosystemsandwater-stressedcommunitiesSupportwatersecuritywithtechnologySharetechnologyandtoolsthatenableeveryonetopredict,prevent,andrecoverfromwaterstressDatacentersTominimizethenet-climateimpactateachofourdatacentercampuses,bothtodayandinthefuture,weconsultwithlocalexpertsandmakeregionallyappropriatecoolingtechnologydecisionsthatbalancetheavailabilityofcarbon-freeenergyandresponsiblysourcedwater.Inmanyplaces,wateristhemostefficientmeansofcooling.Whenusedresponsibly,watercoolingcanplayanimportantroleinreducingemissions.We’vefoundthatourwater-cooleddatacentersuseabout10%lessenergyandemitroughly10%lesscarbonemissionsthanourair-cooleddatacenters.100Atourdatacenters,weaimtoimplementtechnologiesandsolutionsthatreducefreshwaterconsumptionwhenfeasible,andusealternativesourcessuchasreclaimedwastewaterandevenseawater.Wewithdrawreclaimedornon-potablewaterat25%ofourdatacentercampuses.Duetothesesolutions,23%ofourtotaldatacenterwaterwithdrawal(excludingseawater)isreclaimedwastewaterandothernon-potablewater.Forexample,atourdatacenterinDouglasCounty,Georgia,weredirectlocalsewerwaterthatwouldotherwisebedischargedintheChattahoocheeRiveranduseittocoolourfacility.Additionally,ourdatacenterinHamina,Finland,usesseawaterforcoolingratherthanwithdrawingfreshwater.Additionally,atourdatacenterinEemshaven,theNetherlands,wepartneredwiththecommunitytobringinindustrialcanalwatertocoolourdatacenter,leavingpotablewaterforotheruses.In2022,wedescribedourclimate-consciousdatacentercoolingstrategy,inwhichwebothchampionedresponsiblewateruseandexplainedhowthisworkcomplementsoureffortstorunon24/7CFEoneverygridwhereweoperateby2030.Inthisblog,wepublishedour2021annualwatermetricsforourU.S.datacenterlocations,andcommittedtosharingannualwatermetricsforadditionalgloballocationsbeginningwiththisreport.SeeourEnvironmentaldatatablesforour2022waterdata—disclosedbothgloballyandbydatacenterlocation.ThesecolorfulpipesinourDouglasCounty,Georgiadatacentersendandreceivewaterforcoolingourfacility.IntroductionAppendixEmpoweringindividualsGovernanceandengagementOperatingsustainablyWorkingtogether512023EnvironmentalReportOfficesAroundtheworld,ourofficesusewaterforavarietyofneedsincludingpreparingfood,cleaningandhygiene,irrigatingcampuslandscapes,andkeepingourworkspacescool.Wetakeavarietyofapproachestomanagewaterresponsiblyanddriveresponsiblewateruseinourrealestateoperationsthroughincreasedefficiencyandbysourcingwaterfromnon-potablesupplies.OneofthemainwaysweconservewaterinGoogleworkplacesisbyadoptingdesignstandardsalignedwithleadingthird-partycertifications,includingLEEDandtheLBC.Ourbuildingdesignrequirementsfornewconstructionincludetheincorporationofwater-efficientfixtures,suchasfaucets,toilets,andirrigationsystems.Thesedesignstandardsalsoaddressreplacingoldfixtureswithhighlyefficientonesinanyspacewemoveinto,andinstallingwatermeterswithautomaticleakdetection.Inmultipleofficesaroundtheworld,we’veachievedAllianceforWaterStewardshipcertification,aleadingthird-partystandardthathelpsusdevelopbest-in-class,regionalstrategiesforresponsiblewateruse,andtoengagewithlocalpartnersonwatershedhealthprojects.Beyondthesestandards,wedrivewaterstewardshipinourworkplacesbydevelopinginnovativesolutionsthatstrivetobereplicableandscalable.Forexample,ournewBayViewcampus,whichopenedin2022,isontracktobethelargestdevelopmentprojectintheworldtoachieveWaterPetalcertificationfromtheLBC,withanon-sitestormwaterandwastewatertreatmentsystemthatcanserveasamodelforothers.LearnmoreinourBayViewspotlight.SupplychainAddressingwaterchallengesrequiresaccuratewaterusedatathroughoutoursupplychain.Bymonitoringthisdata,wecanfocusourwaterstewardshipeffortsonsupplierfacilitieswiththegreatestopportunitiesforimprovedmanagement.Tomeasurewateruseandassesswaterriskinourvaluechain,weasksupplierstodisclosewater-relateddataviatheCDPsupplychainplatformandcompleteanddisclosewaterriskassessmentsoftheirdirectoperationsandvaluechain.In2022,177ofthe186suppliers(95%)thatwereinvitedtoparticipateintheWaterSecurityportionoftheCDPSupplyChainsurveyresponded.Thisreportingincludesdataonwaterwithdrawal,consumption,anddischarge—allwaterwithdrawnfromallsources(e.g.,surfacewater,groundwater,rainwater,municipalwatersupply,andtruckedwater),theportionofwaterpermanentlylostinthewithdrawal(e.g.,evaporatedorincorporatedintoproductsfromcooling,irrigation,andproductionprocesses),andthewatereffluentsdischargedtoalllocations(e.g.,subsurfaceandsurfacewaters,sewers,andgroundwater).Tolearnmoreabouthowweassessandmanageourwater-relatedrisks,seetheGovernanceandengagementsection.2022HIGHLIGHTAsoftheendof2022,weestimateour38replenishmentprojectshadthecapacitytoreplenishover1.3billiongallonsofwaterannuallyoncefullyimplemented.101SteamrisesabovethecoolingtowersatourdatacenterinTheDalles,Oregon.IntroductionAppendixEmpoweringindividualsGovernanceandengagementOperatingsustainablyWorkingtogether522023EnvironmentalReportBenefitingwatershedsandcommunitiesManywatershedsaroundtheworldaredegradinginhealth,witheachlocationfacinguniquechallenges.Improvingwatershedandecosystemhealthisacriticalpartofourstrategy,whichallowsustofocusonsolutionstosharedwaterchallengesthatareimpactingwatershedsthemost,whetherthey’rerelatedtowaterquantityandavailability,waterquality,ecosystemandhabitatdegradation,lossofbiodiversity,orcommunityaccesstowater.Inadditiontofocusingonresponsiblewaterusewithinouroperations,weaimtoreplenish20%morefreshwaterthanweconsumeeachyear,onaglobalaveragebasis.We’llfocusourreplenishmenteffortsinwatershedsthatGoogleofficesanddatacentersrelyon.Theadditionalvolumeofwaterwereplenishateachlocationwillvarydependingonthelocalconditions,andwe’llprioritizereplenishmentprojectsinwater-scarceregionstohelpensurethatwe’repositivelyimpactingtheareasthatneeditmost.Asoftheendof2022,thefirstfullyearsincewelaunchedthisstrategyandtarget,ourcontractedwatershedprojectshavereplenished271milliongallonsofwater102—equivalenttomorethan400Olympic-sizedswimmingpools.Thisrepresents6%ofour2022freshwaterconsumption.Asoftheendof2022,weestimatethatthese38replenishmentprojectshadthecapacitytoreplenishover1.3billiongallonsofwaterannuallyoncefullyimplemented.WaterreplenishmentprojectsInsupportofourwaterstewardshipstrategy,we’vemadeprogressinhelpingtorestoreandimprovethequalityofwaterandhealthofecosystemsinthewatershedswerelyon.We’veintentionallydesignedourstrategytoprioritizearangeofwatershedhealthissues,enablingustoinvestinadiversesetofimpactfulwatershedhealthprojectsthatareappropriateforeachlocalcontext.Weconductregularwaterriskassessmentsofourglobalassetstoidentifyprioritybasins.Withineachprioritybasin,weassesslocalwatercontextandsharedwaterchallengesthroughdataanalysisandengagingwithlocalpartnersandstakeholders.Asoftheendof2022,we’vesupported38waterstewardshipprojectsin26watersheds(seeFigure20).In2022alone,weadded25projectstoourportfolio.Thismarkedastrongfirstyearofimplementationofourwaterreplenishmentstrategy,andwhilewestillhavealongwaytogotomeetour2030target,we’reproudoftheimpactfulpartnershipsthatwe’vealreadyengagedinaroundtheworld.We’reexcitedtocontinueworkingalongsideourexistingpartnersandtofindnewpartnersinwater-stressedgeographieswherewe’llworkoverthenextfewyears.TARGETReplenish120%ofthefreshwatervolumeweconsume,onaverage,acrossourofficesanddatacentersby20302022PROGRESSAsoftheendof2022,ourcontractedwatershedprojectshavereplenished271milliongallonsofwater,or6%ofour2022freshwaterconsumptionDETAILSYearset:2021Baseyear:N/ATargetyear:2030Scope:Freshwaterreplenishedannually(excludingseawaterandreclaimedwastewater),asapercentageoftheamountoffreshwaterweconsumeeachyearatourofficesanddatacenters.Replenishmentbenefitsarecountedfromprojectsthatareactivewithinthewatershedsthatouroperationsrelyonandthathaveconfirmedvolumetricbenefitsfromthereportingyear.ArainwaterretentionpondoutsideourdatacenterinBerkeleyCounty,SouthCarolina.IntroductionAppendixEmpoweringindividualsGovernanceandengagementOperatingsustainablyWorkingtogether532023EnvironmentalReportFIGURE20GlobalwaterreplenishmentprojectmapThismapshowsall38waterstewardshipprojectswe’vesupportedasoftheendof2022,withhighlightsofspecificprojectsandpartnerships:CALIFORNIAWerecentlyco-fundedapilotprojecttoinstallwater-savingtechnologyinthreemulti-familybuildingsinLosAngeles.Thetechnologytakesaimatbehind-the-scenesleaks,likemalfunctioningtoilets,thatarecapableofleakingthousandsofgallonsofwaterinasingleday.Thepilotisontracktosaveatotalof6.4milliongallonsofwaterayearintheL.A.watershedwhereweoperate.We’realsofundingworktobringthisapproachtopartsofSanFranciscoandNewYorkCity.ARIZONASurfacewaterdiversionsfromtheColoradoRivermakeuptheprimarysourceofirrigationwatersupplyfortheColoradoRiverIndianTribes(CRIT)reservationandCRITfarms.We’reworkingwiththeBonnevilleEnvironmentalFoundationtofundtheCRITtosupportirrigationinfrastructureefficiencybyliningaleakyearthenirrigationcanal—reducingseepagelossandwaterdiversiondemandsintheColoradoRiverwatershed.MEXICOInMexicoCity,GooglepartneredwithIslaUrbanatoprovidehouseholdsthatdon’tcurrentlyhavereliablepotablewaterconnectionstotheirhomeswithasourceofeasilyaccessiblepotablewaterviarainwaterharvestingandpotabilizationsystems.WealsopartneredwithPronaturatosupportacomprehensivewatershedstudyalongwiththeimplementationofmultiplewatermanagementpractices,includingreforestation,thecreationofapercolationpondtoincreasegroundwaterinfiltration,andrestorationactivitiestoimprovesoilhealth.UNITEDKINGDOMWepartneredwiththeBonnevilleEnvironmentalFoundationtofundThames21tosupportthecreationofasystemofwetlandsthatwillinterceptandfilterwateratChinbrookMeadowsparkbeforeitenterstheRiverQuaggyandthegreaterThamesRiverwatershed,improvingwaterqualitywiththeaddedbenefitsoffloodprotection,climateadaptation,andrecreationopportunities.INDIAWe’reworkingwithUnitedWayofHyderabadtorestoretheMullakathuvaLakeinnorthwestHyderabad,withCLEANInternationaltoreopen20wellsacrossthreecities,andwithWaterAidtoprovidewater,sanitation,andhygieneaccesstonearly9,000localresidentsinHyderabadcommunities.Theseprojectsnotonlysupportourreplenishmentandwatersecuritygoals,theyalsohelpstrengthenpublichealthinthecommunitiesthatmakeupanimportantpartofourglobalworkforce.CHILEGooglepartneredwiththeBonnevilleEnvironmentalFoundationontwoinitiativestoimprovewatershedhealthinChile’sMaipoBasin.Weprovidedfundingtoourimplementationpartner,Kilimo,toscaleupprecisionirrigationusingAItosupportincreasedagriculturalproductivity,maintainorimprovenaturalpestcontrol,protectgroundwaterandsurfacewaterresources,andreducewaterdemandacross260hectaresoffarmland.GooglealsosupportedTheNatureConservancy’seffortstomonitor,protect,andimprovethemanagementoftheHighAndeanwetlands,whichoffermanyclimateandwaterresiliencebenefits,aswellasadvocateforitslarge-scaleprotection.LegendLandconservationandrestoration(7projects)Watersupplyreliability(7projects)Water,sanitation,andhygiene(WASH)(5projects)Aquatichabitatrestoration(11projects)Waterquality(8projects)IntroductionAppendixEmpoweringindividualsGovernanceandengagementOperatingsustainablyWorkingtogether542023EnvironmentalReportSupportingwatersecuritywithtechnologySupportingglobalwatersecurityneedscollectiveaction.Globalsearchinterestin“watersecurity”morethandoubledin2022,103reachinga15-yearhighin2022.104That’swhywe’reputtingGoogle’sproductsandtechnologyinserviceofhelpingothersstudyandrespondtowatersecuritychallenges.Weworkongettingenvironmentalinformationontheworld’sforests,fisheries,watersheds,andairintothehandsofdecision-makers,insupportofouraimstobothaddressakeyneedforinformeddecision-making,andtosupporteffortstoscalemodelsandsolutionsthatmakewaterresourceinformationvisibleandactionable.Google.orghasalsoawardedmillionsofdollarsingrantstopromisingwaterstewardshipsolutions,including:•BlueConduit,todeveloppubliclyaccessibletoolstoquantifyandmaphazardousleadservicelinesforvulnerablecommunities,acriticalfirststeptoreplacingunsafewaterinfrastructure.•GlobalWaterWatch,whichaimstodemocratizeinformationonwaterresources.Thisinformationwillempowerpolicymakers,conservationorganizations,andcommunitiestobettermanagewaterresourcescollectively.•AmericanUniversityofBeirut,toapplymachinelearningtoweatherandagriculturaldatatoimproveirrigationforresource-strappedfarmersinAfricaandtheMiddleEast,providingfarmerswithnear-real-timewaterusedatapredictionstoconservetheregion’sdwindlingwaterresources.AdditionaldetailscanbefoundintheEmpoweringindividualsandWorkingtogethersections.ThejourneyaheadWhilewehaveahistoryofresponsiblewateruse,2022marksourfirstfullyearofoperationalizingourstrategyandourwaterreplenishmenttarget.We’vedeployedinnovativesolutionstoresponsiblymanageourwaterfootprint,developedinternaldatainfrastructureandgovernancemodelsforourreplenishmenteffortswithinternaloperationalteams,andidentifiednew,impactfulorganizationstopartnerwithinspecificwatersheds.Whilewestillhavealongwaytogotomeetour2030target,we’reproudofourprogressthisyear—replenishing6%ofour2022freshwaterconsumption.Weknowchallengeslieahead,including:•Navigatingthelocalcomplexitiesofwatershedhealth.•Thelimitedsupplyofreplenishmentprojectsinmanygeographies.Toscaleimpact,we’vecreatedtoolsandcasestudiestohelpothersadoptsomeoftheapproachesthathaveworkedforus,fromdatacentercoolingstrategiestoachievingLBCWaterPetalcertification.•Climate-consciousdatacentercooling•HowtoachieveLBCWaterPetalcertificationWe’reexcitedaboutthefutureofourwaterstewardshipeffortsandtheimpactwe’llhavewithinourownoperations,inthecommunitieswhereweoperate,andforeveryonewhoreliesonclean,freshwater.LEARNMORE•Googlewaterstewardship:AcceleratingpositivechangeatGoogle,andbeyond•3wayswe’retacklingwaterchallengesinIndia•SavingwaterinL.A.,oneleakytoiletatatimeCoolingtowersatourdatacenterinSt.Ghislain,Belgium.IntroductionAppendixEmpoweringindividualsGovernanceandengagementOperatingsustainablyWorkingtogether552023EnvironmentalReportCirculareconomyWeaimtomaximizethereuseoffiniteresourcesacrossouroperations,products,andsupplychainsOurambitionOurapproachReducingdatacenterwasteBuildingcircularworkplacesandstoresDesigningmoresustainableconsumerhardwareproductsWorkingwithsuppliersEnablingothersThejourneyaheadOurambitionHumansareconsumingnaturalresourcesandgeneratingwasteatalarmingrates.Weneed1.75Earthstosustainourcurrentrateofnaturalresourceconsumption,butweonlyhaveoneplanet.105Thecirculareconomyaimstominimizewasteandmaximizereuseofexistingmaterials.Animportantcomponentofthisispromotingsafermaterialsforhumanandenvironmentalhealth,tomaximizetheirreusepotential.Thecirculareconomyoffersatremendousopportunityfornewbusinessandinnovation,capableofgeneratinganestimated$4.5trillioninneweconomicoutputby2030.106Theworldcan’tachievenet-zerocarbonemissionswithoutacceleratingthecirculareconomy.Roughly45%ofglobalGHGscomefromembodiedcarbonemissions,generatedfromcreatingnewgoodsandinfrastructure.107Wecanreduceupto10GTofcarbonby2050throughcircularstrategies,suchasusingrecycledmaterialsandlow-carbonbuildingapproaches.108Tosupportthetransitiontoacirculareconomy,weaimtobecomeacircularGoogle—maximizingthereuseoffiniteresourcesacrossouroperations,products,andsupplychainsandenablingotherstodothesame.OurapproachOurimpactonthecirculareconomycutsacrossallourcorebusinessoperations.Itincludesthedatacenterswebuildandoperatetopowerourproducts,theworkplaceswhereGooglerscometogethertocreatethenextbreakthroughtechnology,andtheconsumerhardwareproductsthatpeopleuseeveryday.Ourimpactalsospanstheentirevaluechain,includingdatacenters,workplacesandstores,products,andoursuppliers,andwe’vesetgoalstomeasureourprogressineacharea.Ourcircularityprinciplesfocusondesigningoutwastefromthestart,keepingmaterialsinuseforaslongaspossible,andpromotinghealthymaterials—forourdatacenters,workplaces,andproducts(seeFigure21).IntroductionAppendixEmpoweringindividualsGovernanceandengagementOperatingsustainablyWorkingtogether562023EnvironmentalReportFIGURE21OurcircularityprinciplesWedesignoutwasteandpollutionWedesignforcircularityfromthestart,makingiteasierforthematerialsusedinthecreationofourproducts,workplaces,anddatacenterstobereusedinthefutureWekeepmaterialsinuseaslongassafelypossibleWepursuestrategiestoextendthelifeofourproducts,workplaces,anddatacentersforaslongassafelypossibletomaximizetheuseofmaterialsthatwentintotheircreationWepromotesafeandhealthymaterialsWedesignproducts,workplaces,anddatacenterswithhealthymaterialsthataresafeforpeopleandfortheenvironment,enablingthemtobesafelyreusedinthefutureAGoogleNestAudioisdisassembled.IntroductionAppendixEmpoweringindividualsGovernanceandengagementOperatingsustainablyWorkingtogether572023EnvironmentalReportReducingdatacenterwasteStorageatGoogle’sSingaporedatacenter.ZerowastetolandfillIn2016,weannouncedouraimtoachieveZeroWastetoLandfillforourglobaldatacenteroperations.Asoftheendof2022,10outof26(38%)Google-ownedand-operateddatacentershavemetthisZeroWastetoLandfilltarget(seeFigure22).Forexample,ourdatacenterinFredericia,Denmark,achievedZeroWastetoLandfillfromdayone.Ourdatacenterwastefootprintincreasesasweincreasethenumberofourdatacenters,sowecontinueworkingtowardsourtargetaswegrow.In2022,acrossourglobalfleetofGoogle-ownedand-operateddatacenteroperations,wediverted86%ofoperationalwasteawayfromlandfills.Beyondthesegoalsforlandfillwaste,ourapproachtocircularityfordatacenterequipmentistomaintainserversforaslongaspossible,refurbishcomponentsforfuturereuse,reuseorresellcomponentsfollowingarigoroussecurityprocess,andrecycleanycomponentsthatcan’tbereused.Since2015,we’veresoldmorethan37millionhardwarecomponentsfromourdatacentersintothesecondarymarketforreusebyotherorganizations,includingnearly5millionresoldcomponentsin2022alone.Asoftheendof2022,21%ofcomponentsusedforserverdeployment,maintenance,andupgradeswererefurbishedinventory.Lookingforward,wecontinuetofacechallengesforwastediversionatalocallevelduetothelackofavailabilityofrecyclinginfrastructureinsomeoftheruralcommunitieswhereweoperateandinconsistenciesinwhat’sacceptedforrecycling.TARGETAchieveZeroWastetoLandfillforourglobaldatacenteroperations2022PROGRESS38%ofGoogle-ownedand-operateddatacentershaveachievedZeroWastetoLandfillDETAILSYearset:2016Baseyear:N/ATargetyear:N/AScope:AnnualoperationalwasteforallGoogle-ownedand-operateddatacentersglobally.“ZeroWastetoLandfill”meansthatmorethan90%ofwasteisdivertedfromlandfill.Whenpossible,westrivetoalignmeasurementofwastediversionatourdatacenterswiththeULEnvironmentStandard2799EnvironmentalClaimValidationProcedureforZeroWastetoLandfill.FIGURE22DatacentersachievingzerowastetolandfillLegendStillprogressingtowardzerowastetolandfillgoalZerowastetolandfillgoalachievedIntroductionAppendixEmpoweringindividualsGovernanceandengagementOperatingsustainablyWorkingtogether582023EnvironmentalReportBuildingcircularworkplacesandstoresBuildingdesignandconstructionisoneofthelargestsourcesofglobalwaste—roughly30%ofallglobalannualwastecomesfrombuildingconstructionanddemolition.109WhenwedesignandbuildGoogleworkplacesandstoresaroundtheworld,westrivetodeliveronourcommitmenttoacceleratingthecirculareconomy.Whentherightopportunitycomesup,wepursueadaptivereuseprojects,renovatingexistingbuildingstoserveanewpurposeratherthandemolishingthemfornewbuilds.Thesereuseprojectstendtousefewermaterials,producelessconstructionwaste,andhavelowerembodiedcarbon.Theyalsopreservecommunityhistory,givinghistoricstructuresnewlifeasGoogleworkplacesand,insomecases,communityspaces,too.SomeexamplesincludeourPlayaVista,California,office—arepurposed1943airplanehangar,andourPier57officeinNewYorkCity—ahistoriccruiseterminalandtransitdepotthatsatvacantfor20yearsbeforeGooglereimagineditintoanofficeandcommunityspace.Wealsoconsideradaptivereuseforourdatacenters,suchasforourdatacenterinHamina,Finland,whichwasformerlyanabandonedpapermill.CirculardesignandconstructionTomakeourworkplacesmorecircular,wedesignadaptablespacesthatcanbeadjustedovertimeusingfewerrenovationmaterials,weincorporatereuseandmaterialsalvagepractices,andweprovidearigorousmodelforhealthymaterialsthatcanbeadoptedbyothers.Forexample,ourBayViewandCharlestonEastcampusesbothincorporatesalvagedmaterialsintothebuildingdesign,andbothaimtoreducefuturerenovationwastethroughhighlyflexibleandreconfigurableworkareas.Formorethanadecade,we’veprioritizedbuildingmaterialsthatdemonstratesaferchemistrytocreatehealthyindoorenvironmentsandadvanceourcircularitygoals.Onewaywepromotehealthymaterialsisbyleveragingthird-partystandardsliketheLBC,oneofthemostambitiousgreenbuildingcertificationsintheworld.Ourfocusontransparencyaimstoencouragestrongerstandardsinthebuildingindustryatlarge,pavingthewayforotherstopurchasehealthiermaterials.Werecentlyopenedoradvancedseveralworkplaceandstoreprojectsthatreflectthesecoreprinciplesofcirculardesignandconstruction(seeFigure23).OurBayViewcampus—openedin2022—alsoincorporatesourcircularityprinciplesofdesigningoutwastefromthestart,keepingmaterialsinuseforaslongaspossible,andpromotinghealthymaterials.LearnmoreinourBayViewspotlight.Pier57,whichservedasahistoriccruiseterminalandtransitdepot,satvacantfor20yearsbeforeGooglereimagineditintoanofficeandcommunityspace.IntroductionAppendixEmpoweringindividualsGovernanceandengagementOperatingsustainablyWorkingtogether592023EnvironmentalReportFIGURE23Examplesofcirculardesignandconstructionatourworkplacesandstores237MoffettParkDriveinSunnyvale,California,U.S.A.OurnewestadditiontoGoogle’sSunnyvalecampus—237MoffettParkDrive—istheworld’slargestLBCMaterialsPetalCertifiedRenovationTypologyproject.Theexistingbuildingwastransformedintoaworkplacethatembodiesregenerativedesignandpromoteswell-being.Materialsweregivenasecondchancethroughoutthebuilding—fromstill-functioningcomponentsoftheoriginalmechanicalsystemstoroughly300interiordoorsmadewithveneerfromoaktreessalvagedfromrecentCaliforniawildfires.Intotal,nearly3,400tonsofwaste(or91%oftotalwastegenerated)wasdivertedfromlandfillduringitsconstruction.CharlestonEastinMountainView,California,U.S.A.In2022,weadvancedconstructionforourCharlestonEastcampus,withthegoalofexpandingtheboundariesofsustainabledesign,includingaroundhealthyandreclaimedmaterials.CharlestonEastisontracktoachieveLEED-NCv4PlatinumcertificationandbeoneofthelargestnewconstructionprojectsevertoattaintheLBCMaterialsPetalCertification,whichhelpsensurethehealthofthebuildingoccupants,thelocalcommunity,andthebroadersupplychain.UsingtheLBCRedListasaframework,thousandsofmaterialsontheprojectwentthrougharigoroussourcingandreviewprocess.ThedesignofCharlestonEastalsoincorporatessalvagedmaterialsandForestStewardshipCouncil(FSC)-certifiedwoodproducts.GooglestoreinChelsea,NewYork,U.S.A.In2021,weopenedourfirstflagshipretailstoreinNewYorkCity’sChelseaneighborhood,whichachievedLEED-ID+CRetailv4Platinumstatus.EveryelementoftheGoogleStore—thematerials,buildingprocesses,mechanicalsystemsandmore—waspainstakinglyconsideredandselected.Forexample,theveneeronthewallsisasoftgray,responsibly-sourcedhickory,andourcustomcorkandwoodfurniturewascreatedwithalocalcraftsmanfromGreenpoint,Brooklyn.Weevenattachedourcarpeting(whichwasmanufacturedwithrecycledmaterials)inasustainableway.In2022,weopenedoursecondretaillocationinBrooklyn,NewYork,whichalsoearnedaLEED-ID+CRetailv4Platinumrating.BolandsMillsinDublin,IrelandOurBolandsMillsofficeisthereincarnationofa150-year-oldflourmill,repurposedasaworkspaceforGooglers.Thereareplansforapublicground-floorfoodmarketthatwillreforgevisitors’connectiontofood.WithBolandsMills,wehavetheopportunitytopreserveaniconicheritagesitewhilecreatingaplacethatwillsupportGoogleandtheneighborhoodforyearstocome.IntroductionAppendixEmpoweringindividualsGovernanceandengagementOperatingsustainablyWorkingtogether602023EnvironmentalReportWorkplaceOperationsWetakeaholisticapproachtocircularityinouroffices,startingwithdesigningbuildingsforzero-wasteoperations.Notonlydowestrivetodivertsolidwastefromlandfillsandincineratorsforofficeoperations,butwealsoaimtominimizetheamountofmaterialsweuseandmaximizetheirlifespanwithinourecosystemandthesurroundingcommunity.Wehaveambitioustargetsforfoodlossandwaste,andwe’reworkingtoreducesingle-useplasticsinouroperations.In2022,thegloballandfilldiversionrateforourofficeswas75%.Toensurethatwhatwekeepoutoflandfillscanactuallyberecovered,weprioritizedivertinghigh-qualitymaterialsandonlycountnon-contaminatedrecyclablematerial.110FoodwasteGlobalsearchesfor“howtoreducefoodwaste”havemorethandoubledoverthemostrecentfive-yearperiodcomparedtothepreviousfive-yearperiod,111reachinga15-yearhighin2022.112Whenfoodwasteendsuprottinginlandfills,itgeneratesmethane—agreenhousegasthat’s25timesmorepotentthancarbondioxide.113What’smore,whenfoodgoestowaste,sodoallofthewater,energy,andotherresourcesthatwentintoproducingit.Toachievealow-carboncirculareconomy,weneedtocollectivelycutbackonfoodwaste.AtGoogle,thatmeansdoublingdownonoureffortstoreducewasteinourkitchens,cafes,andoverallfoodoperations.OurgoalIn2022,weannouncedourfoodwastegoal:by2025,weaimtosendzerofoodwastetothelandfill.Towardsthisgoal,weaimtocutfoodwasteinhalfforeachGoogler,comparedtoa2019baseline.We’reontracktocutfoodwasteinhalfforeachGooglerandsendzerofoodwastetothelandfillby2025.In2022,wediverted85%offoodwastefromlandfill,andandwe’vereducedfoodwasteperGooglerby18%since2019.114We’reseeingprogressacrossalloperationsinallregions,acrossdifferenttypesofcafes,andbyusingdifferentinterventionleverstosparknecessarybehaviorandoperationalchange.From2014through2021,wepreventednearly10millionpoundsoffoodfromenteringlandfills.OurfocusareasTofurtherreducefoodwaste,we’restrengtheningoureffortsinthreekeyareasacrossourfoodprogram:•Inourkitchenandcafeoperations,we’repreventingwastefromthemomentwereceiveingredientsallthewaythroughtoservingafinisheddish.•Atthesourcingandprocurementstage,we’reworkingwithoursuppliers,distributors,andvendorstopreventwastebeforeithappens.•Whenthere’sexcessfood—whetherasprepareddishesorplatewaste—we’reensuringit’sdonatedorproperlycomposted.TARGETDivertallfoodwastefromlandfillby20252022PROGRESS85%offoodwastedivertedfromlandfillDETAILSYearset:2022Baseyear:N/ATargetyear:2025Scope:AnnualfoodwastedivertedfromlandfillinkitchensandcafesatGoogle’sofficesglobally.“Zerofoodwastetolandfill”isdefinedas99%diversionoffoodwastefromlandfillviacomposting,anaerobicdigestion,orotheron-siteprocessing.Inourkitchenandcafeoperations,we’refocusedonwaystostopfoodwastebeforeitstarts.IntroductionAppendixEmpoweringindividualsGovernanceandengagementOperatingsustainablyWorkingtogether612023EnvironmentalReportKitchenandcafeoperationsWe’remakingmeasurablereductionsacrossback-of-houseoperationsthroughimprovedculinarypracticesanddemandplanningtoensureourproductionlevelsareconsistentwithuserdiningpatterns.Forexample,intheUnitedStates,werecordeda22%–30%reductionineggwastebycookingsmallerbatches,andinIndiawerecordeda50%reductioninper-platewastefollowingamulti-channelwastereductioncampaign.SourcingandprocurementandexcessfoodAdditionalprogresswillrelyheavilyoncontinuedengagementofourvendorpartneroperationsteams,furtherenablingGooglerstojoinin,andexpandingpartnershipswithmunicipalandcommunityorganizationstoacceleratethepaceoffooddonationsanddevelopcompostinfrastructure.In2022,toactivateindustry-widechange,Googleprovided$1millioninanchorfundingtokickstarttheReFEDCatalyticGrantFund.TheReFEDCatalyticGrantFundprovidesnonprofitandfor-profitorganizationswithrecoverableandnon-recoverablegrantstode-riskandscalehigh-impactsolutionstofoodwaste.Single-useplasticsTheworld’splasticpollutionproblemisalargeandcomplexchallenge—morethan91%ofplasticisn’trecycled,andthemajorityisleftsittinginlandfillsorlitteringouroceansandcommunities.115Reducingplasticwasterequiresentireindustriestocometogetherandtakemoremeaningfulaction.AtGoogle,thatmeansrethinkingourapproachtothewaywesourceproducts,servefood,andreduceourwaste.Improvingourplasticsfootprintisn’tassimpleasnotbuyingsingle-useplastics.Toreducesingle-useplastics(upstream)andbridgetheinfrastructuregapsforrecyclingandcomposting(downstream),weneedtoactivatetheentirefoodecosystem,frommanufacturerstodistributorstowastemanagementcompanies.Wedothisbyworkingwithvendorsandsupplierstoavoidorphaseoutproductswithsingle-useplastics;rethinkinghowwehandle,store,prepare,andservefoodandbeverages;andusingfullyrecoverablematerialsthatarerecyclableorcompostable.We’repilotingandscalingplastic-freeprocessesandproductsinourkitchens,cafes,andoverallfoodoperations.Forexample,we’reinstallingbeveragedispenserstoreplacesingle-usebeverages.We’reredefiningwhatweserve—andhowweserveit—toeliminatesingle-useplasticsandensuredurable,washabledishwareandcutleryareeasytochoose.Lookingtothefuture,we’realsoplanningtocreatefoodspacesthatdesignoutwastefromthestart.DesigningmoresustainableconsumerhardwareproductsOurambitionistocreateconsumerhardwareproductsthatleavepeople,theplanet,andourcommunitiesbetterthanwefoundthem.OurconsumerhardwareproductsincludePixel,Nest,Chromecast,andFitbitdevices.Sincelaunchingourfirsthardwareproducts,we’veintegratedsustainabilityconsiderationsintomaterialssourcingandscience,engineeringandsupplychainoperations,carbonemissionsreductions,wastereduction,packagingproducts,anddesigningourretailstores.Weaimtoincreasethecircularityofourhardwareproductsandoperationsbydecreasingouruseofminedmaterialsandsignalingourdemandforamorecirculareconomyinourprocurementofrecycledmaterials.Thisisinadditiontoextendingthelifeofourproductsthroughsoftwareupdatesandexpandedrepairoptions.Wesupportgreenerelectronicsstandardsandcertifications,includingUL110,IEEE1680.1,andtheULECOLOGOProgram.116ThealuminuminthephoneenclosuresofPixel5,6,6Pro,7,and7Proismadewith100%recycledcontent,reducingthecarbonfootprintofthealuminumportionoftheenclosuresbyover35%comparedto100%primaryaluminum.117IntroductionAppendixEmpoweringindividualsGovernanceandengagementOperatingsustainablyWorkingtogether622023EnvironmentalReportRecycledmaterialsReducinghowmuchwastewegenerateasacompanyandminimizingthedemandfornewrawmaterialsstartswithhowwesourcematerialsthatgointoourproducts.In2019,weannouncedouraimtoincluderecycledmaterialsin100%ofGoogleconsumerhardwareproductslaunchingin2022andeveryyearafter.118Wehitourgoalearly—in2020—andhavemaintainediteachyearsinceforNest,Pixel,andChromecastdevices.119In2020,wesharedournextstepsonthisjourney.Wecommittedtouserecycledorrenewablematerialinatleast50%ofplasticusedacrossourconsumerhardwareproductportfolioby2025,prioritizingrecycledplasticeverywherewecan.41%oftheplasticGoogleusedinproductsmanufacturedin2022wasrecycledcontent.120Approximately30%ofthematerialGoogleusedinitsnewproductslaunchedandmanufacturedin2022wasrecycledcontent.121Thisincludesrecycledmaterialusedinourdevices’aluminum,stainlesssteel,rare-earthmagnet,glass,andplasticparts.2022HIGHLIGHTThealuminuminthephoneenclosuresofPixel5,6,6Pro,7,and7Proismadewith100%recycledcontent,reducingthecarbonfootprintofthealuminumportionoftheenclosuresbyover35%comparedto100%primaryaluminum.122Usingrecycledmaterialscanalsolowerthecarbonfootprintofourproductmanufacturing.Forexample,thealuminuminthephoneenclosuresofPixel5,6,6Pro,7,and7Proismadewith100%recycledcontent,reducingthecarbonfootprintofthealuminumportionoftheenclosuresbyover35%comparedto100%primaryaluminum.123Formoreinformationonrecycledmaterialcontentforeachofourproducts,seeourProductEnvironmentalReports.Whilemanywastematerialscantechnicallyberecycled,whetherornotthey’reactuallyrecycleddependsonmarketdemand.Thisiswhywe’vestrategicallyprioritizedsourcingrecycledmaterialsforourproducts,inhopesthatincreaseddemandwillhelpmaximizetheutilityofmaterialswealreadyuse.TARGETUserecycledorrenewablematerialinatleast50%ofplasticusedacrossourconsumerhardwareproductportfolioby20252022PROGRESS41%oftheplasticusedinproductsmanufacturedin2022wasrecycledcontent124DETAILSYearset:2020Baseyear:N/ATargetyear:2025Scope:Includestheminimumpercentageofrecycledorrenewableplasticcontentcalculatedasapercentageoftotalplastic(byweight)inGoogle’sconsumerhardwareportfolioforproductsmanufacturedinagivenyear.125Sincethelaunchofourfirsthardwareproducts,we’veworkedtoimprovethesustainabilityofhowwemakeourproductsandtheserviceswecreatearoundthem.IntroductionAppendixEmpoweringindividualsGovernanceandengagementOperatingsustainablyWorkingtogether632023EnvironmentalReportSustainablepackagingProductpackagingtypicallycontainsmanymaterials—liketheplasticfilmmaterialsyouoftenseeonelectronicpackages—whichcanbedifficulttorecycle.That’swhywe’recommittedtoeliminatingplasticfromourhardwareproductpackagingby2025.Byfocusingonfiber-basedmaterials,we’reenablingconsumerstomoreeasilyrecycleourpackagingandensurethatthematerialswillbeacceptedinasmanyrecyclingsystemsaspossible.WedesignNest,Pixel,andFitbitpackagingtominimizetheuseofplastic.FornewGoogleproductslaunchedandmanufacturedin2022,ourpackagingwasatleast96%plastic-free,126andpackagingforPixel7and7Prouses99%plastic-freematerials,127gettingusclosertothisgoal.Formoreinformationonpackagingforeachofourproducts,seeourProductEnvironmentalReports.Transitioningpackagingawayfromplasticischallengingbecausemanyplastic-freealternativesareoftennotavailableforspecificpackagingneeds.We’llcontinuetoworkwithsupplierstocreateplastic-freesolutionsthatprovidedurability,protection,andaesthetics.2022HIGHLIGHTPackagingforPixel7and7Prouses99%plastic-freematerials.128TARGETMakeproductpackaging100%plastic-freeby20252022PROGRESSFornewGoogleproductslaunchedandmanufacturedin2022,ourpackagingwasatleast96%plastic-free129DETAILSYearset:2020Baseyear:N/ATargetyear:2025Scope:​​BasedonthetotalweightofnewGooglePixel,Nest,Chromecast,andFitbitretailpackagingglobally(excludingadhesivematerials)forproductslaunchedandmanufacturedinagivenyear,asshippedbyGoogle.ASortaSunnycolorPixel6Proliesface-downonatablenexttoavarietyofsparepartsandiFixit-brandedrepairtools.(PhotocourtesyAndyMillerofiFixit)ProductlongevityCreatingtrulysustainableelectronicsincludescraftingexperiencesthatguideconsumersthroughthecare,repair,reuse,andrecyclingoftheirproducts.Whilethere’smuchmoreworktodo,we’vetakensomeinitialstepsinunderstandingconsumers’andorganizations’needsandcreatingnewservicesforthem.Itallstartswithmakingsureproductslastlongtobeginwith.Enablingsecurityupdatesandbugfixeshelpspromoteproductlongevity.ForGoogleNest,weissuecriticalbugfixesandpatchesforatleastfiveyearsafterlaunch.Pixel6andlaterPixelphoneswillgetsecurityupdatesforfiveyearsfromwhentheyfirstbecomeavailableontheGoogleStoreintheUnitedStates.130AndnewChromebooksarebuiltwithsustainabilityinmind,withautomaticupdatesforuptoeightyearsthatkeepthemrunningfastandsecure.RepairingelectronicsProvidingnewwaystorepairelectronicsisanimportantwaytoextendtheirlives.In2022,weannouncedourpartnershipwithiFixittoprovidegenuinePixelspareparts,tools,anddocumentationonmodelsasfarbackasPixel2foruserswhoareskilledinrepairandindependentserviceproviders.Thispartnership,alongsideourothermail-inIntroductionAppendixEmpoweringindividualsGovernanceandengagementOperatingsustainablyWorkingtogether642023EnvironmentalReportandauthorizedserviceproviderrepairchannels,lowerscostsandexpandsthechoicescustomershaveinPixelphonerepair.Intandemwithourtrade-inprogram,thisextendstheusablelifeofPixelphones.In2022,weannouncedChromeOSFlexandtheChromebookrepairprogram,whichaimtoextendtheusefullifeoflaptops,PCs,andChromebooksalike.ChromeOSFlexhelpsextendthelifeofagingMacs,PCs,andLinuxdevicesbyconvertingthemtotheChromeOSecosystemandreducingtheamountofe-wastethat’sgenerated.InadditiontoprovidinguptoeightyearsofsoftwareupdatesforChromebooks,schoolscaneasilyidentifywhichChromebookshavecommonlyrepairedcomponents—likethekeyboard,display,andpalmrest—throughournewrepairprogramsite.Thisisjustthefirststep,andwe’relookingforwardtohearingfeedbacktohelpgrowandimprovetheprogram.Wepartnerwithdevicemanufacturers(OEMs)tohelpincreasethenumberofnewChromebooksthataremadewithrecycledmaterialsandareeasytocustomize,repair,andupgrade.Forexample,thenewFrameworkLaptopChromebookEdition,madeof50%post-consumerrecycledaluminum,isthemostcustomizableChromebookyet.It’sdurable,powerful,thin,light,anddesignedtolast.Individualscanupgradethelaptop’smemoryandstorage;replacekeypartslikethescreen,battery,andwebcam;andswapoutthebezelwithdifferentcolors,allwithoutneedingtoreplacetheirentirelaptop.E-wasterecyclingSinceallproductswilleventuallybecomeobsolete,availabilityofandparticipationine-wasterecyclingprogramsisimportanttohelpkeepelectronicsoutoflandfillsandreusethecriticalmineralswithinthem.We’refocusedonsourcingrecycledandsustainablematerialsfromoursupplychain,andwerecognizethatthesupplychainisonlyabletoproviderecycledmaterialswhenrobustrecyclingcollection,processinginfrastructure,andtechnologiesareavailable.Fordevicesattheendoftheirservicelife,weofferfreerecyclingineverycountrywhereweshipconsumerhardwareproducts.131Whilee-wasterecyclingprogramsaregenerallyavailable,theyoftenhavelowconsumerparticipationrates.That’swhy,in2022,wejoinedforceswithindustrypeersandelectronicsrecyclingstartupRetrievronanewe-wasterecyclingpilotdesignedtoaddressthebehavioralreasonsthatstopconsumersfromrecycling.Unlikerecyclinghouseholditemslikefoodpackagingorshippingboxes,electronicshaveuniquebarrierstoovercomebeforeconsumersfeelcomfortabletakingaction.Thegoalofthepilotistostudyhowtheindustrycanreducebarriersandincreaseparticipationine-wasterecycling.TheFrameworkLaptopChromebookEditioniseasytoupgradeandrepair.IntroductionAppendixEmpoweringindividualsGovernanceandengagementOperatingsustainablyWorkingtogether652023EnvironmentalReportWorkingwithsuppliersManufacturingwasteMaterialthat’slostduringtheproductmanufacturingprocess(oftencalled“yieldlosses”)generateswasteinoursupplychain,soit’simportanttoensurethatthesewastestreamsarealsocapturedandrecycled.In2020,weannouncedourtargettoachieveUL2799ZeroWastetoLandfillcertificationatallfinalassemblymanufacturingsitesforourconsumerhardwareproductsby2022.In2022,wecertified90%ofourestablishedconsumerhardwarefinalassemblysitestotheUL2799ZeroWastetoLandfillstandard.ThesesitesachievedatleastSilvercertificationlevel(representingaminimum90%landfilldiversion),withhalfofoursitesachievingPlatinumlevel(representing100%landfilldiversion).Weplantocertifytheremainingsitesinthefuture.Wealsoaimtomaintaincertificationfor100%ofourfinalassemblysites,includingnewsitesasthey’readded.We’vecompletedanewwaste-reductionpilotprogramfocusedonthepackagingmaterialsusedtoshipproductpartsfromsupplierstofinalassemblysites.Weworkedwithsomesupplierstoreplaceshippingmaterialswithreusableandrecyclablealternativesandtoredesignpackagingtouselessmaterialoverall.Forexample,forNestWifiPro,wepartneredwithmultiplepartsuppliersin2022toreplaceanestimated30metrictonsofplasticwithcorrugatedcardboard,whichiseasiertorecycle.Buildingontheseearlysuccesses,we’renowengagingmoresuppliersandcomprehensivelyreviewingpackagingformanymorepartsacrossourportfolio,inhopesofidentifyingmoreopportunitiestoachieveevenbiggerwastereductions.2022HIGHLIGHTHalfofourconsumerhardwarefinalassemblysitesachieved100%landfilldiversion.TARGETAchieveUL2799ZeroWastetoLandfillcertificationatallfinalassemblyconsumerhardwaremanufacturingsitesby20221322022PROGRESSWeachievedUL2799ZeroWastetoLandfillcertificationatSilverorhigherfor90%ofourestablishedfinalassemblysitesDETAILSYearset:2020Baseyear:N/ATargetyear:2022Scope:AllfinalassemblymanufacturingsitesgloballyforGoogleconsumerhardwareproductswithatleastoneyearofdata.SaferchemistryWe’reprotectingpeopleandtheplanetthroughsaferchemistryandresponsiblemanagementacrossourhardwareproducts.Thechemicalsafetyofmaterialsplaysaroleintheimpacttheycanhaveonnaturalecosystems,supplychainworkers,andusers.ThroughourProductRestrictedSubstancesSpecificationandManufacturerRestrictedSubstancesList,werestrictmanyhazardoussubstancesandensureoursuppliershaveprocessesinplacetodetectandpreventthemfromenteringthemanufacturingprocess.We’velaidasolidfoundationaswepursueournextlevelgoalsinsaferchemistry.In2022,wesharedmoredetailsaboutourcomprehensiveResponsibleChemicalManagementprogramthatincludesassessments,guidance,andtrainingresourcestohelpsuppliersbettermitigateoccupationalandenvironmentalrisksrelatedtothechemicalstheyuse.Recentinitiativeshaveincludedin-depthassessmentprogramswithgreaterlevelsofdetailandtransparency,extensivesuppliertrainingandguidancematerialstomoreproactivelymanagerisk,andnewindustrypartnershipsthatallowustosharebestpracticesintendedtoadvancetheindustryatlarge.Wecontinuetoenrollsuppliersintoe-learningcourses,whichmorethan250manufacturingsuppliershavecompletedasoftheendof2022—anumberthatcontinuesgrowingasweextendtrainingstomoresupplierpersonnel.We’reworkingtoeliminateantimicrobialsandusesaferflameretardantsandsolventsacrossourconsumerelectronicsproductportfolio.We’realsocollaboratingacrosstheindustrytofindandpromotetheunderstandingofsaferflameretardantsavailablefortheelectronicssector.In2022,wepartneredwithChemFORWARD,atrustednonprofitsourceforchemicalhazarddataandalternatives,onaproactiveapproachtoassessingchemicalsafetybeyondexistingregulatoryandindustrynorms.We’vecommissionedover100chemicalhazardassessmentsandareworkingtomakethemavailabletoothersthroughtheChemFORWARDplatform.TheNestThermostatisnowmadewithfewerpartsforalesscomplicateddesign.IntroductionAppendixEmpoweringindividualsGovernanceandengagementOperatingsustainablyWorkingtogether662023EnvironmentalReportEnablingothersThecirculareconomyrequireseveryonetoparticipatetoreachitsfullestpotential.That’swhywe’refocusedonsharinginsightsaboutoureffortssootherscanadoptthem,andwhyweinvestincreatingtechnologiesthatenableeveryonetohaveanimpact.Forexample,in2022,weintroducedproductfeaturesthathelppeopleandbusinessesrecycleclothingandothergoods,andthathelphardwarecustomerskeeptheirproductsinuselonger.We’realsohelpingtoimproverecyclingthroughaccuratemeasurementanddata-ledinsightsusingmachinelearning.In2022,weshareddetailsaboutCircularNet,asetofmodelsthatlowersbarrierstousingAItechnologyforwasteidentification.OurgoalwithCircularNetistodeveloparobustanddata-efficientmodelforwaste/recyclablesdetection,whichcansupportthewayanyoneinthewastemanagementecosystemcanidentify,sort,manage,andrecyclematerials.Wealsosupportourpartnerstohelpdiscover,accelerate,andscaleecosystemsolutionsthatcanbenefiteveryonetacklingwasteandreusechallenges.In2022andearly2023,weworkedtojumpstartpartnerinnovationbylaunchingmultipleacceleratorsfocusedoncirculareconomysolutions.AdditionaldetailscanbefoundintheWorkingtogetherandEmpoweringindividualssections.AGooglerswapsoutamotherboardatourdatacenterinTheDalles,Oregon.Whenserverpartsbreak,wefirsttrytorepairthem.Ifwecan’t,webreakthemupintorawmaterialsandrecyclethecomponents.ThejourneyaheadAtGoogle,webelievethatrealizingasustainableworldmeansthatwemustacceleratethetransitiontoacirculareconomywherepeople,theplanet,andbusinessesthrive.Thisisalargeandcomplexglobalchallenge,butwe’vealwaysviewedachallengeasanopportunitytobehelpfulandmakethingsbetterforeveryone.Whilewe’reexcitedaboutourjourneytoacirculareconomy,werecognizethatwe’llfacemanychallengesalongtheway.Forexample:•Recoveringanddivertingresourcesfromlandfillsrequiresrobustcollectionandrecyclinginfrastructurearoundtheworld,beyondwhatexiststoday.•Thelackoffinanciallyhealthyendmarketsandlocalreuseinfrastructureforsalvagedresourcesoftenpreventsorprohibitsmaterialsfrommakingtheirwaybackintotheeconomy.•Thecirculareconomyrequiresbetterdatatoenablemarketstoidentify,manage,andvalueavailableresources.Moreandhigher-qualitydataisneededtoinformcapitalinvestments,infrastructurepriorities,businessplans,policies,andotherinterventions.•Acceleratingtheswitchfromusingsingle-useplasticstomorereusablesolutionsrequiresadditionalinnovationwiththepotentialtoscaleacrosslargerealestateportfolios.•We’reexploringtheconnectionbetweenlow-GHGconstructionmaterialsandthecirculareconomy,recognizingthatrecycledmaterialsoftenhavelowercarbonfootprintsthanvirginresources.133Thechallengeislarge,butsoisourambition.Weseektoenableotherstoembracecircularity,whichiswhyweshareknowledgeandinsightthroughresearch,productexamples,andcasestudieswithourpartners,customers,andbillionsofusersaroundtheworld.Examplesinclude:•Closingtheplasticscircularitygap•Understandingbarrierstoelectronicsrecycling•AcceleratingcommercialdeconstructionandreuseOurgoalwiththisworkistoaccelerateprogresstowardsafullysustainabletechnologyindustryandrealestatefootprintoperatingonclean,efficientlyusedenergyandmadewithsafeandcircularmaterials.LEARNMORE•HowGoogleissupportingthecirculareconomy•Anewacceleratorforcirculareconomystartupsandnonprofits•RestrictedsubstancesspecificationIntroductionAppendixEmpoweringindividualsGovernanceandengagementOperatingsustainablyWorkingtogether672023EnvironmentalReportNatureandbiodiversityWestrivetoprotectandenhancenatureandbiodiversitythroughourcampusesandtechnologyOurambitionOurapproachBuildingforbiodiversityProtectingnatureandmakingitmoreaccessibleSourcingresponsiblyDevelopingtechnologytoaddressbiodiversitylossThejourneyaheadOurambitionTheworldhasseenanaveragelossof69%ofmammal,bird,fish,reptile,andamphibianpopulationssince1970,134andclimatechange,waterstress,andresourcedepletionareonlyacceleratingthestressonournaturalenvironment.RoughlyhalfofglobalGDP—or$44trillion—dependsonnatureanditsservices,suchashealthysoils,floodprevention,cleanwater,nutrientcycling,pollination,andastableclimate.135Preservingnatureiscriticalbothtomitigatingclimatechangeandadaptingtoit.WewantnatureandpeopletoflourishtogetherinthecommunitiesthatGooglecallshome,aswellastheecosystemswherewesourcefoodforthehundredsofcafesweoperate.OurapproachWestrivetoprotectandenhancenatureandbiodiversitythroughourcampusesandtechnology.Googlehasofficesinnearly60countriesaroundtheworld(asofyear-end2022).Intheselocations,weaimtoprotectandenhancenatureandbiodiversitythroughafour-pillarapproachthatstartswithbuildingbiodiversityatourownofficeandcampusdevelopments,aswellasprotectingnatureandmakingitmoreaccessibleinthesurroundingcommunitieswhereweoperate(seeFigure24).Ourapproachfurtherfocusesonsourcingresponsiblyacrossoursupplychain.Andourbillionsofusershavethepotentialtohaveapositiveimpactontheirenvironmentsifgiventheinformationandtoolstodoso,sowe’realsodevelopingtechnologytohelpincreasenature’sresiliencetoclimatechange.FIGURE24OurapproachtonatureandbiodiversityBuildingforbiodiversityWebuildforbiodiversityon-siteatGoogleofficesandcampusesbydesigningforecologyandbringingnaturebacktocities.ProtectingnatureandmakingitmoreaccessibleIntheBayAreaandelsewhereacrossourportfoliowhereappropriate,wenurturetheenvironmentandconnectpeopletonature,bothonourcampusesandinthesurroundingcommunities.SourcingresponsiblyWe’refocusedonsourcingresponsiblyacrossoursupplychainbyprocuringsustainablebuildingandhardwarematerialsandsupportingbiodiversefoodsystems.DevelopingtechnologytoaddressbiodiversitylossWe’recreatingplatforms,opentools,andgeospatialandAI-poweredsolutionsthathelptoincreasenature’sresiliencetoclimatechangeandaddressthecausesofnatureloss.IntroductionAppendixEmpoweringindividualsGovernanceandengagementOperatingsustainablyWorkingtogether682023EnvironmentalReportBuildingforbiodiversityCenturiesofagriculturalintensificationandurbanizationhavetransformedlandscapesandnativehabitatsaroundtheworld,includingalossofover99%ofnativehabitatsinSiliconValley.136Googleisworkingtobringnaturebackintothebuiltenvironment—inpart,byrestoringcriticalhabitatslikeoakwoodlandsandwillowgrovesacrossourBayAreacampuses.Ouraimistorevivethearea’secologicalheritageandbolsterthehumanexperiencewhilecreatingthriving,functionallandscapesforabiodiverseconstellationofspecies.IntheBayAreaandbeyond,whereverpossible,westrivetobuildbiodiversityon-siteatGoogleofficesandcampusesbydesigningforecologyandbringingnaturebacktocities.DesigningforecologyWeincreasenative,biodiversehabitatsonourdevelopmentsitesthroughbothlarge-andsmall-scaleeffortsthatprioritizelocalspecies.Forexample,wecontributedtotherestorationoftheCharlestonRetentionBasinnearourBayAreacampuses,includingnearly6acres137ofnewandenhancedfreshwatermarsh,nativeupland,andripariancommunities,andwecontinuetoprotectarookerythat’sregionallyimportantforthelocalegretpopulation.In2022,wecreatednearly5acresofnewhabitatonourcampusesformonarchbutterfliesandotherpollinators.Asoftheendof2022,we’vecreatedandrestoredmorethan40acresofhabitatonGoogle’scampusesandthesurroundingurbanlandscape,primarilyintheBayArea—including17acresatourBayViewcampus.We’vealsoplantedroughly4,000nativetreesonourBayAreacampuses.IncollaborationwithlocalNGOs,ecologyexperts,andgovernmentagencies,thisworkspansfromcreatingwelcominghabitatpatchesforpollinatorstopartneringonlargerprojectslikerestoringtheCharlestonRetentionBasin.Together,theseeffortsdrivelandscape-scalerestorationofhistoricalecosystemslikeoakwoodlands,willowgroves,andcreekandwetlandhabitats(seeFigure25).FIGURE25Howwe’rerestoringnativehabitatsinSiliconValleyWe’veestablishedlandscapedesignpracticesthatensureecologically-designedlandscapesthriveoverthelongterm,primarilythroughourinternalHabitatDesignGuidelines.Theguidelineshelplandscapedesignersleverageplantchoicesandlayouttomaximizewildlifehabitatvalue.Theyincludedetailedguidelinesonnativeplantpalettes,plantingstructureanddensity,plantrequirements,maintenancerequirements,andbird-safepractices.Topromotewideruseandimpactoftheseguidelines,wesponsoredthepublicationofapublicversionthat’sfreelyavailableforlandscapemanagersinpublic,private,andNGOsettings.Inaddition,ourecologyteamalsoissuesguidelinesonnativelandscapemaintenance,pollinatorhabitats,birdbathandnestdesign,plantpathogenprevention,andrecycledwaterusefornativeplants.AllBayAreaground-upconstructionprojectscompletedin2022incorporatedbird-friendlydesignelementstoreducetheriskofwindowcollisions.In2022,weopenedBayView,thefirstmajorcampusdesignedbyGoogle,andthemostcomprehensiveexampleyetofourapproachtodesigningforecology.BayViewfeaturesover17acresofhigh-valuenaturalareas—includingwetmeadows,woodlands,andamarsh—designedtoreestablishnativelandscapesandrehabilitateBayAreawetlands.LearnmoreinourBayViewspotlight.2022HIGHLIGHTAsoftheendof2022,we’vecreatedandrestoredmorethan40acresofhabitatonGoogle’scampusesandthesurroundingurbanlandscape,primarilyintheBayArea.IntroductionAppendixEmpoweringindividualsGovernanceandengagementOperatingsustainablyWorkingtogether692023EnvironmentalReportRestoringhabitatformonarchbutterfliesWe’retakingstepstohelpaddressthethreatfacingCalifornia’smonarchbutterflies—pollinatorsthatareimportanttoourecosystem.In2020,Californiaonlysaw2,000monarchbutterfliesduringthewinter:amorethan90%declinefromthemillionsofmonarchsthatvisitedthestateinthe1980’sand1990’s.138GivenoursignificantpresenceinCalifornia,in2021,weannouncedouraimtosupportthecreation,restoration,and/orenhancementof600acresofhabitatformonarchsandotherpollinatorsacrossCalifornia,includingcreatingmorehabitatonourcampuses.We’veput$500,000towardthiseffortonourcampuses,andGoogle.orggrantedanother$500,000totheXercesSocietyandPeninsulaOpenSpaceTrustforhabitatworkacrossthestate.Todate,thishashelpedtorestoreandenhancemorethan500acresofmonarchandpollinatorhabitatacrossCalifornia,includingcreatingnearly5acresofnewhabitatonourcampusesin2022.2022HIGHLIGHTWe’veprovidedgrantstohelprestoreandenhancemorethan500acresofmonarchandpollinatorhabitatacrossCalifornia.BringingnaturebacktocitiesWe’realsobringingnaturebacktomanycitieswhereweoperate.Globalsearchinterestin“pollinators”and“treeplanting”reachedall-timehighsin2022.139Inurbanareasaroundtheworld,we’redesigningnatureintothebuiltenvironmenttoimproveurbanbiodiversityandconnectpeopletonature.Forexample,ourPlatformGbuildinginLondon’sKing’sCrossneighborhoodwillincludeabiodiversegreenroofandplantingpalettedesignedtosupportnativebirds,bats,bees,andinsects,designedincollaborationwiththeLondonWildlifeTrust.Adenselyplantedoutdoorroofgardenwitharainwaterirrigationsystemwillprovideahabitatforprotectedspeciesofbatsandbirds,aswellasofferingaquietgreenspaceforbreaksduringtheworkday.We’recollaboratingwiththeLondonWildlifeTrustaspartofawiderinitiativetoprotectournativespeciesandimprovelocalbiodiversity.Incitycenterslackinggreenspace,theurbanheatislandeffectproduceshighertemperatures,leadingtoincreasedenergyneeds,airpollution,andheat-relatedillness.140Googleishelpingtoabatetheurbanheatislandeffectbyprioritizingplantings,greenopenspaces,andtreecanopycoveronourcampuses,aswellasreducingimpermeablesurfaceslikeconcrete.Wepublishedinsightsfromsomeofthisworkinanacademicpaper,aimingtoinspireothersandprovidethemwithtoolsandtechniquesforintegratingnatureintodenseurbanareas.AmonarchbutterflyatourCharlestonEastcampus.(Photo:RickMiskivforGoogle)IntroductionAppendixEmpoweringindividualsGovernanceandengagementOperatingsustainablyWorkingtogether702023EnvironmentalReportProtectingnatureandmakingitmoreaccessibleWerecognizethatourcampuslandscapesexistaspartofgreaternaturalecosystems,soit’simportantthatweworktoprotectandsupportnature—andmakeitmoreaccessibletopeople—bothonourcampusesandacrossthebroadercommunitieswhereweoperate.IntheBayAreaandelsewhereacrossourportfoliowhereappropriate,wenurturenaturebysupportingrestorationeffortsbeyondourcampusesandbyplanningforresilience.Wealsoconnectpeopleandnaturebyprovidingcommunityaccesstonatureandimprovingworkerhealththroughbiophilicdesign.NurturingnatureacrossecosystemsWeinvestinrestorationprojectsoutsideofGoogle’scampusestobuildhealthacrossthewiderecosystemandaccelerateourwaterstewardshipgoals.Inadditiontograntsmentionedabovetocreateandmaintainpollinatorhabitat,wealsosupporteffortstostrengthentheecologicalresilienceofcriticalnaturalsystemsliketheSanFranciscoBay.In2022,wepartneredwiththeSanFranciscoEstuaryInstitutetocreatetheShorelineResilienceFrameworkforWildlifeSupport,whichisbeingusedbyregionalagenciestoidentify,map,andenhancefunctionsthatcontributetoshorelineresilience.Thesefunctionsmayincludeprotectingtheshorelinefromerosion,supportingthreatenedandendangeredspecies,andmaintainingcriticallandscapeprocesseslikemarshmigrationwithsea-levelrise.ConnectingcommunitiesandnatureWeinvestforthelongterm,sowewanttocarefortheenvironmentsandcommunitieswhereweoperate.Weengagewithlocalcommunitiesandleadingprogrammingthatextendsthebenefitsofnaturetoall.Forexample,inpartnershipwiththeSantaClaraValleyAudubonSociety,theCityofMountainView,andotherorganizations,Googlehosts“EgretOfficeHours”attheShorebirdWayrookerysothepubliccansafelyseemomentsthroughouttheegretbreedingcycle.Asanotherexample,wecreatedtheGreenLoop,apubliclyaccessiblepedestrianandcyclingtrailconnectingsomeofourbuildingsinMountainView.TheGreenLoopwasdesignedwithnativevegetationtoenhancehabitatsforpollinatorsandotherwildlife(includingnearly100nativetrees),aswellastohelpmanagestormwater.WeensurethatGooglershaveaccesstothebenefitsofhigh-qualitybiodiversenaturethroughincorporatingexteriorlandscapesandaccesstonatureonourcampuses,asdescribedabove.Wealsofocusonbringingattributesofnaturalenvironmentsintoourinteriorspacesbyapplyingbiophilicdesignpractices,suchasnature-inspiredarchitecture,interior,andlandscapedesign.Tofurtherthis,wecollaboratedonaninitiativewiththeILFItomakeaBiophilicDesignToolkitthatwaslaunchedin2022andisfreelyavailableforanyonetouse.Somerecentbuildingsthatreflectthisapproachtobiophilicdesigninclude:•BayView(MountainView,CA):Withanabundanceofbiophilicdesignelementsfromnaturallighttoaccessibletrails,ourBayViewcampuswasafinalistforthe2023StephenR.KellertBiophilicDesignAward,presentedbyILFItorecognizeleadingexamplesofbiophilicdesigninthebuiltenvironment.LearnmoreinourBayViewspotlight.•Pier57(NewYork,NY):In2022,weopenedPier57inNewYorkCity,whichincorporateswaterviewsandplantingsthroughoutthebuildingtosupportbiophilicdesign.•MoffettPark(Sunnyvale,CA):InSunnyvale,we’rebuildingourfirstground-upmasstimberbuilding,whichwillincorporatebiophilicdesignprinciplesbyexposingthenaturaltimberstructuretobuildingoccupants,andbyprovidingabundantviewsanddaylightthroughouttheinterior.TheShorebirdWayrookeryonourMountainView,Californiacampusreflectsabroaderefforttodesignandbuildourofficeswithlocalenvironments,ecology,andanimalhabitatsinmind.IntroductionAppendixEmpoweringindividualsGovernanceandengagementOperatingsustainablyWorkingtogether712023EnvironmentalReportSourcingresponsiblyWe’refocusedonsourcingresponsiblyacrossoursupplychainbyprocuringsustainablebuildingandhardwarematerialsandsupportingbiodiversefoodsystems.Weprocurebuildingmaterialsfordevelopmentprojectsandhardwarematerialsforproductsaimingtominimizenegativeimpactsonglobalbiodiversity.Forexample,fornewcampusdevelopments,we’veincorporatedtimbercertifiedbytheForestStewardshipCouncil(FSC)—theworld’sleadingforestcertificationsystemforsustainablewoodbuildingmaterials.ThefirsttimeGoogleledtheconceptandconstructionofourownmajorcampuses,GoogleandourdevelopmentpartnersprioritizedFSCcertificationofallnewwoodpurchasedandinstalled,achievingover96%FSC-certifiedwoodatBayView.141Oureffortsearnedusa2021FSCLeadershipAward,whichrecognizesexcellenceinresponsibleforestmanagementandconservation.Weworktoensureourfoodoperationscontributepositivelytoglobalbiodiversity.Acrossourcafes,ourFoodteamisfocusedonincreasingtheproportionofagrobiodiversecropsfeaturedonourmenus.Weleverageprocurementpracticesandmenudesigntoreplacemonocropcommoditieswithclimate-resilientcrops,andjump-startlocalmarketstosupportagrobiodiversity.Inadditiontoagrobiodiversity,wealsosupportregenerativeagriculturepractices.ThisworkbuildsontheFoodteam’svisionofhelpingtofeedtheworldresponsiblyandsustainably.DevelopingtechnologytoaddressbiodiversitylossWebuildtoolsandtechnologythatenablepartners,NGOs,governments,andacademicsaroundtheworldtohelpaddressnatureandbiodiversityloss.OurmostimpactfultechnologyinthisareaisGoogleEarthEngine,aleadingtechnologyplatformforplanetary-scaleenvironmentalmonitoringsuchaslandusechange,themostsignificantdriverofbiodiversityloss.Additionally,we’vehelpedlaunchotherplatformsthathelpprotectnature,suchasTraceMark,asustainablesourcingsolutionthatimprovessupplychaintransparency.WealsouseAItohelppartnersunlocknewadvances,suchasourmachinelearningmodelthathelpsthescientificcommunityindetectinghumpbackwhalesounds,orinfindinghopefulsignsofwildliferecoveryafterwildfires.Whilesupportingexpertpartnersisimportant,wealsobelievetechnologyshouldhelpeveryonedotheirpartfornatureandbiodiversity.That’swhymanyofourproductsaimtoengageourusersinnature-relatedtools,productfeatures,andinformation.Forexample,GoogleShoppingrestrictsthesaleandtradeofendangeredspeciesviacontentmoderationpolicies.Additionally,weprovidefreeAPIaccesstoourMapsandPlacesproductsforsomenature-relateduses,suchastheiNaturalistapp,whichhelpspeoplelearnmoreabouttheirlocalenvironment.Additionaldetailsonhowwe’redevelopingbreakthroughtechnologiestoaddressnatureandbiodiversitylosscanbefoundintheWorkingtogetherandEmpoweringindividualssections.We’veincorporatedtimbercertifiedbytheForestStewardshipCouncil(FSC)inournewcampusesdevelopments.IntroductionAppendixEmpoweringindividualsGovernanceandengagementOperatingsustainablyWorkingtogether722023EnvironmentalReportThejourneyaheadOurapproachtoprotectingnaturehasimportantco-benefits.Protectingnaturehelpssequestercarbon,andsequesteringcarbonhelpspreservenature.Waterstewardshiphelpsnaturethrive,andthrivingecosystemssupportwaterstewardship.Bypromotingcircularity,we’rereducingtheextractionofnaturalresources,whichinturnprotectsagainstenvironmentaldegradation—adirectdriverofbiodiversityloss.Forthatreason,we’llseektoevaluatetheseeffortswithamoreholisticview.Whilewe’reexcitedaboutourworktoprotectandenhancenatureandbiodiversitythroughourcampusesandtechnology,werecognizethatwefacesomechallenges,including:•Navigatingthelocalcomplexitiesofbiodiversityandecosystemhealth,aswellasforgingabroadsetofpartnerstoensurecollectiveaction.•Feedingaglobalworkforceresponsiblyandsustainablywhilesupportingagrobiodiversityandregenerativeagriculturepractices.•Procuringhealthymaterialsforourcampusesandproductswhileencouragingmanufacturingpartnerstoembraceresponsiblematerialsourcingpractices.•Expandingthenatureandbiodiversitypracticesthatworkinoneregiontomoreoftheareaswhereweoperatearoundtheworld.•Effectivelymeasuringnatureandbiodiversity.Ourresearchpapers,articles,andtoolkitsareintendedtohelpothersadoptsomeoftheapproachesthathaveworkedforus,fromrestoringnativehabitatstointegratingnatureintocities.•Habitatdesignguidelines•BiophilicDesignToolkit•Toolkitforsupportingnatureincities•IntegratingnatureintourbanareasMovingahead,we’llcontinuetobuildpartnershipswithothers,usinglessonsfromourowneffortsalongsidenewtoolsandtechnologytohelpeveryonetakeaction.LEARNMORE•Seedingresiliencewithecology•DoingourpartforCalifornia’smonarchbutterflies•AIrevealssignsofrecoveryinareasdevastatedbybushfires•MapofLifeIndicatorsadoptedinUNBiodiversityFrameworkIn2022weopenedPier57inNewYorkCity,whichincorporateswaterviewsandplantingsthroughoutthebuildingtosupportbiophilicdesign.IntroductionAppendixEmpoweringindividualsGovernanceandengagementOperatingsustainablyWorkingtogether732023EnvironmentalReportSPOTLIGHTBuildingamoresustainablecampusinMountainViewAninteriorphotoofthecanopyceilingatourBayViewcampus.(Photo:IwanBaan)In2022,weopenedBayViewinMountainView,California,thefirstmajorcampusdevelopedbyGoogle.Fromthestart,wehadbigambitionsforthisproject:re-envisioningtheworkplacewithafocusonprioritizingthehumanexperienceandcommunity-centereddevelopment.BayViewhasnowachievedLEEDPlatinumcertificationandisontracktobethelargestprojecttoattainLBCWaterPetalCertification,twooftheworld’smostambitiousbuildingstandards.TheseachievementsreflectourgoalofbuildingsustainabilityintoeverythingatBayView:itintegrateslow-carbondesign,helpsregeneratelocalecosystems,incorporatescircularityprinciples,andisontracktoachievenetwater-positivestatus.Net-zerocarbonBayViewisafullyelectriccampuswithon-sitesolarenergyandnearbywindfarmsthatareexpectedtohelpitoperateon90%cleanenergy.Itfeaturesafirst-of-its-kinddragonscalesolarroofacrossallthreebuildings,whichusethelatestbuilding-integratedphotovoltaictechnology.Unlikeaflatroof,whereeachpanelgeneratespeakpoweratthesametimeoftheday,theroof’suniqueshapeenablesittogeneratepowerduringanextendednumberofdaylighthours.Toheatandcoolthebuildings,BayViewhousesaninnovativegeothermalenergysystem,whichisexpectedtohelpreducethebuilding’scarbonemissionscomparedwithaconventional,code-compliantbaseline,perourpredictivemodels.Thisintegratedgeothermalpilesystemalsoenabledustoelectrifythebuilding’soverallsystemsmoreeffectively,becauserecyclinggroundheatrequireslessenergythancreatingnewheat.BayViewalsofeaturesourlargestelectrickitchen,throughwhichwe’relearninglessonsthatwillinformthetransitionofallourkitchenstoelectriccooking.WaterstewardshipTohelpaddresslocalwaterscarcity,BayViewisontracktomeettheLBC’sdefinitionof“netwaterpositive,”meaningit’sdesignedtoproducemorerecycledwaterthanthesiterequires.Predictivemodelsestimatethattheon-sitegeothermalenergysystemisexpectedtohelpreduceabout90%ofthewaterneededforcooling,comparedwithatraditionalcoolingtowersystem.Tofurtherreducewateruse,wedesignedthecampuslandscapeswithnativeplantsanddrought-tolerantspeciesthatdon’trequireasmuchwatering.We’realsocapturingandreusingwateron-sitewhenpossible.Stormwaterretentionpondsandconstructedwetlandsforwastewatertreatmentwereintegratedintothesitelandscape.Acentralplanttreatsstormwatergatheredfromretentionpondsandwastewatercollectedfrombuildings,producingrecycledwaterthatcanbeusedforcoolingtowers,flushingtoilets,andirrigation.CirculareconomyBayViewincorporatesourcircularityprinciplesofminimizingwaste,keepingmaterialsinuseforaslongaspossible,andpromotinghealthymaterialsthataresafeforpeopleandtheenvironment.We’vediverted76%IntroductionAppendixEmpoweringindividualsGovernanceandengagementOperatingsustainablyWorkingtogether742023EnvironmentalReportofconstructionwastefromlandfill,andover96%ofallnewtimberusedinthecampusiscertifiedbytheFSC,142earningusa2021FSCLeadershipAward.Wedesignedflexibleworkspaces,includingeasilyadjustablepartitionwalls,reducingtheneedfornewmaterialsasourneedsevolve.AndwevettedthousandsofmaterialsagainsttheLBC’s“RedList”toavoidtoxinsandcreatethehealthiestenvironmentpossible,fromthecarpettilesandpaintstotheplywoodandfurniture.NatureandbiodiversityBayViewisthemostcomprehensiveexampleyetofourapproachtodesigningforecology.Thesitewasdesignedtointegratewiththenativelandscapeandregeneratelocalecosystemssuchaswetlands.Itfeaturesover17acresofhigh-valuenaturalareas—includingwetmeadows,woodlands,andamarsh.Thesignificantamountofopenspacewasthoughtfullydesignedtoechopre-developmentwaterflowsthroughstormwatertreatmentareas,whichincludeopen-waterpondsthatprovideahabitatforaquaticwildlife.Newwillowgrovesprovideacriticalhabitatforlocalwildlifeandmigratingsongbirds,whichhavealmostentirelydisappearedfromtheSouthBay.Additionally,pollinatorgardenshelpthecampusmeettheLBC’surbanagriculturecriteria,recognizingthekeyroleofnativepollinators—suchasbees—inlocalfoodproductionandecosystemhealth.BayViewprovidesGooglersandcommunitymemberswithaccesstonaturethroughlandscaperestorationandaccessibletrailnetworks.Wealsoappliedbiophilicdesignprinciplestotheinteriorspaces,aimingtocaptureprovenhealthbenefitsforworkersthroughapproachessuchasclerestorywindows,whichprovideaccesstonaturallightfromeveryworkarea.Duetotheseefforts,BayViewwasafinalistforthe2023StephenR.KellertBiophilicDesignAward.ReplicablesolutionsFromthestartofthisproject,weaimedtocreatesharedvaluethroughreplicablesolutionsandinnovationsthatcouldbenefitothersanddriveinnovationforward.Thedragonscalerooftaughtushowtointegratesolarpanelsintoabuildingskininwaysthatwebelievecanhelpstandardizethispractice.Theon-sitewastewatertreatmentsystemcanhopefullymakeiteasierforothersintheareatodesignsimilarsystemsbypavingthewayforlocalcodestoevolve.Andourstrategiestominimizeconstructionwasteinvolvedworkingcloselywithmanufacturerstoreducepackaging,aneffortwebelievecouldhelpotherswithsimilargoals.Toshareourlearningsandhelpraiseawarenessacrossthedevelopmentindustry,wereleasedabookoutliningalltheseinnovations,inthehopesofultimatelyexpandingtheimpactofthisprojectaroundtheworld.LEARNMORE•BayViewandCharlestonEast•Pathways:UnlockinginnovationatBayViewandCharlestonEastTheoutdoorcourtyardbetweentwoprimarybuildingsatourBayViewcampusshowsGoogle’sfocusonconnectingemployeeswithnature.(Photo:IwanBaan)IntroductionAppendixEmpoweringindividualsGovernanceandengagementOperatingsustainablyWorkingtogether752023EnvironmentalReportGovernanceandengagementAboutGoogleSustainabilitygovernanceRiskmanagementStakeholderengagementPublicpolicyandadvocacyPartnershipsAwardsandrecognitionIntroductionAppendixEmpoweringindividualsGovernanceandengagementOperatingsustainablyWorkingtogether762023EnvironmentalReportAboutGoogleAsourfoundersexplainedintheirfirstlettertoshareholders,Google’sgoalisto“developservicesthatsignificantlyimprovethelivesofasmanypeopleaspossible.”Webelieveintechnology’spotentialtohaveapositiveimpactontheworld.Thatunconventionalspirithasbeenadrivingforcethroughoutourhistory,inspiringustotacklebigproblemsandinvestinmoonshots,suchasourlong-termopportunitiesinAI.WecontinuethisworkundertheleadershipofAlphabetandGoogleCEOSundarPichai.Alphabetisacollectionofbusinesses—thelargestofwhichisGoogle.Googlecomprisestwosegments:GoogleServicesandGoogleCloud.GoogleServices’coreproductsandplatformsincludeads,Android,Chrome,hardware,Gmail,GoogleDrive,GoogleMaps,GooglePhotos,GooglePlay,Search,andYouTube.OurconsumerhardwareincludesFitbitwearabledevices,GoogleNesthomeproducts,andPixeldevices.OurGoogleCloudofferingsincludeGoogleCloudPlatformandGoogleWorkspace.OurheadquartersarelocatedinMountainView,California.Weownandleaseofficefacilitiesanddatacentersaroundtheworld,primarilyinNorthAmerica,Europe,andAsia.Tolearnmore,seeourdatacenterlocationsandourofficelocations.TheGoogleplexinMountainView,CaliforniaSustainabilitygovernanceAlphabet’sBoardofDirectorshasdelegatedtotheAuditandComplianceCommitteetheprimaryresponsibilityfortheoversightofmanyoftherisksfacingourbusinesses.TheAuditandComplianceCommitteereviewsanddiscusseswithmanagementanymajorriskexposures,includingsustainabilityrisks,andthestepsthatAlphabettakestodetect,monitor,andactivelymanagesuchexposures.In2022,GoogleevolveditsapproachtosustainabilitygovernancebycreatingaSustainabilityFocusArea,aninternalteamledbyourSVPofLearningandSustainabilitythatprovidescentralizedmanagementoversightofsustainabilityandclimate-relatedissues.TheSustainabilityFocusAreaincludestheChiefSustainabilityOfficerandexecutivesfromacrossthecompanywithdiverseskills,fromteamssuchasoperations,products,finance,marketing,legal,communications,andpolicy,amongothers.ThroughtheSustainabilityFocusArea,sustainabilityandclimateambitionsarebuiltintoourcompany-widegoals,plansofaction,managementpolicies,performanceobjectives,andhowwemonitorprogress.IntroductionAppendixEmpoweringindividualsGovernanceandengagementOperatingsustainablyWorkingtogether772023EnvironmentalReportRiskmanagementOurEnterpriseRiskManagement(ERM)teamisresponsibleforidentifying,assessing,andreportingrisksrelatedtothecompany’soperations,financialperformance,andreputation.Aswithfinancial,operational,andstrategicrisks,theteamassessesenvironmentalrisksaspartofthecompany’soverallriskmanagementframework.TherisksandopportunitiesidentifiedthroughthisprocesssupportpublicdisclosuresandinformGoogle’senvironmentalsustainabilitystrategy.OurChiefSustainabilityOfficerandsustainabilityteamsworktoaddressrisksbyidentifyingopportunitiestoreducethecompany’senvironmentalimpactsfromitsoperationsandvaluechain,andthroughimprovingclimateresilience.Climate-relatedrisksClimate-relatedrisksandopportunitieshavelongtimehorizonswithhighuncertaintyregardinghowclimatetrends,policy,andsocio-economicfactorsmightevolveinthefuture.Googlecontinuestobuildonqualitativeandquantitativeriskassessmentstoidentifyclimate-relatedrisksandopportunities,andtounderstandtheirassociatedimpact.In2015,GoogledevelopedasetofPrinciplesofClimateResilience,whichsupportourdefinitionofclimateriskandresilience.Fromthere,wecreatedaframeworkthatprioritizestheimpactonpeople(includingcommunities,users,andGooglers),sothatitrepresentsthedifferentaspectsofclimateresiliencewithinGoogle,aswellastheinternalandexternalactorswhoeitherinfluenceorareinfluencedbyGoogle’sclimateresiliencedecisions.Theseideascontinuetoinformhowwethinkaboutaddressinglong-termclimaterisk.In2020,Googleconductedaclimateriskassessment,whichincludedalowandhighemissionsclimatescenarioanalysis.Thisassessmentmodeledtheimpactofflooding,waterstress,extremeheat,andwildfireson26priorityofficesitesand23datacenterlocations.Thekeyresultofthisscenarioanalysiswasthatincreasedexposuretoextremeheatandfloodingislikelytoimpactmanyofourglobalofficesanddatacentersasearlyas2030,ifnotsooner.WeconsidertheseresultswhenplanningGoogle’soveralldevelopmentstrategy.In2022,GoogleincreaseditseffortstoalignourclimateriskassessmentprocessmorecloselywiththerecommendationsoftheTaskForceonClimate-RelatedFinancialDisclosures(TCFD),leveragingtheTCFDcategoriesofrisksandopportunitiesandconductingclimatescenarioanalyses.Inanefforttodrivecompletenessandconsistencywhenreviewingthesecategories,weadoptedourERMratingscales(i.e.,impact,frequency,likelihood,controleffectiveness)toidentifyandprioritizeareasoffocus.In2022,climate-relatedrisksandopportunitieswereanalyzedinthreetimehorizons—shortterm(through2030),mediumterm(through2040),andlongterm(through2050)—forfinancial,operational,legal,andstrategicrisks.Weconsideredacuteandchronicphysicalriskperilssuchasheatstress,waterstress,hail,tropicalcyclones,tornadoes,droughts,wildfires,andwindgusts.Wealsoconsideredrisksassociatedwithtransitioningtoalow-carboneconomy(e.g.,energycosts,futureregulations,technology,market,andreputationalrisks,amongafew).Wealsoassessednumerousclimate-relatedopportunitiessuchasbuildingandexpandingclimatesolutionstosupportusers’journeystoalow-carbonworld,improvingofficeanddatacenterefficiency,andadvancingnewenergyefficienttechnologies.Water-relatedrisksToidentifyandassesswater-relatedrisksinourdirectoperations,Googleannuallyundertakesawaterriskassessmenttoidentifyprioritylocationswithpotentialwater-relatedrisksthatmaypresentopportunitiesforwaterstewardshipaction.Indicatorsfromavailableriskassessmenttools,includingWRIAqueductWaterRiskAtlas3.0andWWFWaterRiskFilter6.0,areblendedwithothermetricstoevaluaterisksrelatedtoscarcity,flooding,waterquality,sanitationandhygiene,reputation,andregulatorystressors.Forourdatacenteroperationsspecifically,in2022Googlefinalizedthedevelopmentandapplicationofacontext-basedwaterriskandimpactmethodologytogeneratemoregranularinsightsthancanbeprovidedbywaterriskscreeningtools.Itprovidesaframeworktomeasureandevaluatesite-levelwaterrisks,andthepotentialwatershedimpact,toinformourdecision-makingprocessfornewsiteselection,watercoolingdesign,andongoingoperations.Toidentifyandassesswater-relatedrisksinoursupplychain,we’veconductedasupplychainwateruseanalysisandasupplierriskassessmentusingWRI’sAqueductWaterRiskAtlas,WWF’sWaterRiskFilter,andWULCAAWARE.Thekeyrisksidentifiedincludedbaselinewaterstress,floodrisk,accesstosafedrinkingwater,andthelevelofsanitationandhygieneservices.ThisassessmentenabledustoidentifyprioritylocationsforsupplierengagementinCentralAmerica,Asia,andtheUnitedStates.Tosafeguardthehealthoflocalwaterways,westipulatethatsuppliers“[treatwater]asrequiredpriortodischargeordisposalofallwastewater.”Tosupportthehealthandwellbeingofthoseinthecommunitiesweoperatein,suppliersmust“provideworkerswithreadyaccesstocleantoiletfacilities[and]potablewater.”Weconductregularsupplierauditstomonitoradherencetoourcodeofconduct.Additionally,we’veengagedoursuppliersthroughtheCDPSupplyChainWaterSecurityquestionnaire,invitingthemtodisclosetheirwatermanagementefforts.ThecoolingtowersatourMayesCounty,Oklahomadatacenterhelpkeepourserversrunningefficiently.IntroductionAppendixEmpoweringindividualsGovernanceandengagementOperatingsustainablyWorkingtogether782023EnvironmentalReportStakeholderengagementWebelieveintheimportanceofoutsideperspectivestohelpinformourbusinessdecisions.Weactivelyengagewithourstakeholders(e.g.,employees,NGOs,policymakers,customers,researchers,academics,andinvestors)throughouttheyearonabroadrangeofenvironmentaltopics.Ourengagementenablesustobetterunderstandourstakeholders’perspectives,elaborateonourenvironmentalstrategy,andprogressagainstkeytargets,anditcreatesavitaltwo-waydialoguethatinformsourapproachtothework.Seebelowformoreinformationonhowweengagewithemployees,suppliers,policymakers,andpartners.Foradditionalinformationonhowwecollaboratewithcustomers,researchers,academics,andNGOs,seetheWorkingtogethersection.EmployeeengagementSustainabilityispartofourculture,andwegiveouremployeesopportunitiestoengageonenvironmentalissuesandputtheirpassionsintopractice.TocelebrateEarthDay,wehostanannualvirtualeventforemployeestolearnmoreaboutwhatGoogleisdoingtoempowerpeopletomakemoresustainablechoices,supportourpartnersandcustomers,andoperateourbusinessmoresustainably.Throughouttheyear,weinvitethoughtleadersandexpertstospeakaboutthelatestsustainabilitytrends,andwepostsomeofthesetalkspubliclyonourTalksatGoogleYouTubechannel.Employeescanalsoaccessonlinesustainabilitycoursesandcanjoinglobalandlocalinternalcommunitygroupsfocusedonsustainabilitytopics.Someemployeesalsotakeona20%project—anopportunitytoworkonsomethingoutsideoftheirprimaryrole—relatedtosustainability.OnegreatexampleofthisisProjectSunroof,whichbeganasa20%projectbackin2015.Lastly,employeeshavetheopportunitytolearnaboutsustainabilitythroughinternalnewslettersandeducationcampaigns.SupplierengagementThroughoursupplierresponsibilityprogram,we’reworkingtobuildanenergy-efficient,low-carbon,circularsupplychainthatmakessmartuseoftheEarth’sresources,protectsecosystems,andhelpstocombatclimatechange.Wefocusontheareaswherewecanmakeanimmediateandlastingimpact,suchashelpingoursuppliersimprovetheirenvironmentalperformanceandintegrateinclusivity,climateresilience,waterstewardship,andcirculardesignintooursupplychain.Webelievetheseprinciplescanplayakeyroleinreducingenvironmentalimpactandprotectinghumanrightsandcommunityhealth.Google’sSupplierCodeofConductincludesrequirementsthatenableustoensurethatthosewepartnerwithareresponsibleenvironmentalstewards.Alongwithhavingsuppliersevaluatetheiroperations,weperformourownongoingduediligenceandauditstoverifycomplianceandtounderstandoursupplychain’scurrentandpotentialrisks.Whenwefindthatasupplierisn’tcomplying,weexpectthatsuppliertoprovideacorrectiveactionplan(CAP)thatoutlinestherootcauseofthefinding,howandwhenthatcompanywillresolvetheissue,andwhatstepsitwilltaketopreventrecurrence.Wedeterminewhethertheplanisacceptablebasedontheseverityofthenoncomplianceandtheeffortandtimerequiredtoresolvetheissue.Weexpectsupplierstodemonstrateimprovementstocontinueworkingwithus.Ourgoalistoresolvethemostsevereissuesimmediately.Weexpectallotherfindingstoberesolvedinaccordancewithourguidelinesasquicklyasispractical.Whileweworkwithoursupplierstohelpthemaddressourfindings,insomeinstances,wemaydecidetonolongerpursuearelationshiportoterminateourcurrentrelationship.In2022,weauditedasubsetofoursupplierstoverifycomplianceforthefollowingenvironmentalcriteria:implementationofenvironmentalmanagementsystems,environmentalpermitsandreporting,productcontentrestrictions,andresourceefficiency,aswellasmanagementofhazardoussubstances,wastewater,solidwaste,andairemissions.GooglerschatamongindoorplantsatourPier57officeinNewYorkCity.IntroductionAppendixEmpoweringindividualsGovernanceandengagementOperatingsustainablyWorkingtogether792023EnvironmentalReportPublicpolicyandadvocacyWeknowthatstrongpublicpolicyactioniscriticaltocreatingprosperous,equitable,andresilientlow-carboneconomiesaroundtheworld.TheUnitedNationsFrameworkConventiononClimateChange(UNFCCC)’s2015ParisAgreementstatesthathumanitymust“keepglobaltemperaturerisethiscenturywellbelow2°Cabovepre-industriallevels.”143GoogleremainsunwaveringinourcommitmenttotheParisAgreement,becauseclimatescientistsareclear:wehaveuntil2030tochartasustainablecourseforourplanet,orwe’llfacetheworstconsequencesofclimatechange.144In2022,wesawmajorstepsforwardonclimatepolicyintheUnitedStates,Europe,andotherregions.Newpolicymeasuresandcorporatecommitmentswillcontinuetoplayanimportantroleindrivingemissionsreductionsinthenextdecade.SeeFigure26forourpositiononclimatepolicy.FIGURE26OurpositiononclimatepolicyAtGoogle,wesupportpublicpoliciesthat:•StrengthenglobalclimateactioneffortsthroughtheParisAgreement,G20,andothermultilateralforumstoenhanceinternationalcooperationonclimate.•Establishemissionsreductiontargetsandtechnology-neutralpathwaystoachievealow-carboneconomyinlinewiththeIPCC’sguidanceandscientificconsensus.145•Usecompetitive,interconnectedenergymarketstoempowerconsumersandspeedupthetransitiontoacleaneconomy.•Acceleratethedevelopmentanddeploymentofnextgenerationlow-carbontechnology,includingharnessingdigitaltechnologieslikeAIandmachinelearningtosupportclimateactionacrossbusinesses,cities,governments,andcivilsociety.•Fosterpartnershipsanddeepencollaborationacrosspublicandprivateactorstoenableprogressonclimatemitigationandadaptationbyharnessingthefullpotentialofclimatesolutions.•Empowereveryonetoparticipateinthetransitiontoasustainableeconomyandensurethatthecleanenergyeconomyprovideseconomicgrowthforall—spurringanewgenerationofgreenjobs,benefitingthecommunitiesmostimpactedbyachangingclimate,andleavingnoonebehindinthetransition.PolicyengagementEngagementonsustainabilitypolicyhasbeenatoppriorityatGoogleformanyyears.Mostrecently,wewereanofficialpartneratCOP-27in2022,whereweparticipatedinover50eventsandmomentsthroughouttheconferencewithpublicsectorleadersfromtheUnitedStates,Europe,Africa,theMiddleEast,andAsiatocallforamplifiedambitiononclimateandtoshowcasetherolethatthetechnologysectorcanplayinenablingclimatemitigationandadaptation.We’veconsistentlysupportedstrongclimatepoliciesaroundtheworldinourpublicpolicyengagementandadvocacy.In2020,wepublishedaclimatechangepublicpolicypositionstatement,Realizingacarbon-freefuture:Google’sThirdDecadeofClimateAction,expressingoursupportforpublicpoliciesthatstrengthenglobalclimateactioneffortsthroughtheParisAgreement,establishemissionsreductiontargetsandtechnology-neutralpathwaystoachieveacarbon-freeeconomy,andacceleratethedevelopmentanddeploymentofnextgenerationlow-carbontechnology,amongotherprovisions.IntheUnitedStates,ourfederallobbyingreportcoveringQ42022includesourlobbyingeffortswithregardtoU.S.federalclimateandenergypolicy,includingtheCleanEnergyforAmericaAct,theCLEANFutureAct,theInfrastructureInvestmentandJobsAct,andtheenergyprovisionsoftheInflationReductionAct,allofwhichalignwithouradvocacyforambitiousfederalclimateandcleanenergypolicies.InEurope,ourCEOSundarPichaisharedvirtualremarksatourinauguralGoogleEuropeanSustainabilitySummitinBrussels,whichbroughttogetherpolicymakers,industry,andcivilsocietytodiscusshowtoaccelerateclimateaction.Hesaid,“AtGoogle,wesharetheEU’scommitmenttoaction,andwanttobeahelpfulpartnerinthatprogress.”IntheAsia-Pacificregion,weprovidedapublicsubmissionandstatementofsupportforAustralia’sClimateChangeBill2022toenablethecountrytomeetitsParisAgreementgoalsandreachnet-zeroemissionsby2050.We’veledsignificantpublicpolicyengagementtosupportstrongsustainabilityoutcomes.Forinstance,intheUnitedStateslastyear,weprovidedcommentstotheSEC’sproposedruleonenhancedclimate-relateddisclosures.InEurope,wesharedinputwiththeEuropeanCommissiontosupportpolicymeasurestomakesmartphonesandtablets,alongwithotherdevices,morerepairableandsustainable.WealsoadvocatedformeasuresintheEURenewableEnergyDirectivetosupport24/7carbon-freeenergysupplymodelsthatenablecompaniestosourcecleanenergyfortheiroperations.SeeFigure27foradetailedlistofoursustainabilitypolicyengagementsin2022.AgreenwallatourinauguralGoogleEuropeanSustainabilitySummitinBrussels.IntroductionAppendixEmpoweringindividualsGovernanceandengagementOperatingsustainablyWorkingtogether802023EnvironmentalReportFIGURE27Google’spolicyengagementsin2022Globalandcross-cuttinginitiativesPolicyRoadmapfor24/7EnergyPolicyGooglelaunchedapolicyroadmapfor24/7CFE,layingoutavisionforpoliciesthatwebelievearecriticaltoacceleratingelectricitygriddecarbonization,informedbyourexperienceasalargeenergyconsumerandcleanenergypurchaserinmanydifferentmarketsaroundtheworld.Thepaperputsforwardadetailedpolicyagendawiththreekeypillars:1)rapidlydevelopinganddeployingcleanenergytechnologies,2)expandingandreformingmarketstovaluecarbon-freeenergyanddriveinnovation,and3)empoweringenergyconsumers.GoogleatCOP-27UNFCCCConferenceGooglewasafinancialsponsorofthe2022ConferenceofthePartiesoftheUNFCCC,inpartnershipwiththeEgyptiangovernmentandtheUnitedNations,andsentadelegationledbyChiefSustainabilityOfficerKateBrandtandVPofEngineering&ResearchYossiMatias,alongwithanumberofseniorsubjectmatterexperts.Googlersparticipatedinover50eventsandmomentsthroughouttheconferencewithpublicsectorleadersfromtheUnitedStates,Europe,Africa,theMiddleEast,andAsiatocallforamplifiedambitiononclimate,andtoshowcasetherolethatthetechnologysectorcanplayinenablingclimatemitigationandadaptation.UnitedStatesEngagementonU.S.federalsustainability,climate,andenergypolicyLegislativebranchengagementAsdetailedinGoogle’slobbyingdisclosurefilings,weconductedlobbyingeffortsregardingU.S.federalsustainability,climate,andenergypolicy,includingontheCleanEnergyforAmericaAct,theCLEANFutureAct,theInfrastructureInvestmentandJobsAct,theCleanElectricityPerformanceProgramprovisionsoftheBuildBackBetterAct,thewholesalemarketexpansionandreformprovisionsoftheEnergyandWaterDevelopmentandRelatedAgenciesAppropriationsAct2022,andtheenergyprovisionsoftheInflationReductionAct(IRA),allofwhichalignwithouradvocacyforambitiousfederalclimateandcleanenergypolicies.GoogleexecutivesexpressedsupportforthecleanenergyandclimateprovisionsintheIRA.ExecutivebranchengagementGooglehadmultipleengagementswithstaffandleadershipintheU.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgency(EPA),including3GooglehostedeventswithEPAAdministratorMichaelReganonenvironmentaljustice,howGoogleproductspromoterecyclingwithinthecirculareconomy,andusingAItoidentifyleadpipes.AttheU.S.DepartmentofEnergy,NestcontinueddialogwithboththeLoansProgramOfficeaboutdesignationasaninnovativeproduct,andOfficeoftheUnderSecretaryforScienceandInnovation.WealsometwiththeWhiteHouseonmultipleprojects,andreceivedinvitationstosummitsforourworkonleadpipereductionandhomeelectrification.U.S.SECcommentsonproposedruleonEnhancementandStandardizationofClimate-RelatedDisclosuresforInvestorsInpartnershipwithnineotherpeertechnologycompanies,GoogleprovidedcommentstotheSecuritiesandExchangeCommission’s(SEC)proposedruleonenhancedclimate-relateddisclosures.Thecommentsstateoursupportforregularandconsistentreportingofclimate-relatedmatters;notethatinvestorsneedconsistent,comparable,andreliableinformationonthematerialrisksandimpactsofclimate-relatedeventsandtransitionactivitiesonaregistrant’sconsolidatedfinancialposition;andprovideguidingprinciplesandrecommendationsfortheSECtoconsiderasitdesignsafinalrule.U.S.FederalEnergyRegulatoryCommissioncommentsonimprovinggeneratorinterconnectionGooglefiledcomments(initialandreply)inImprovementstoGeneratorInterconnectionProceduresandAgreements(interconnection)NoticeofProposedRulemaking.Ourcommentsemphasizetheimportanceofreformsthatallowindependentpowerproducerstocontinuetothriveanddeploynewcleanenergyresourcestomeetcustomerdemand.Inparticular,weadvocateforgreatertransparencyinnon-RTO(RegionalTransmissionOrganization)regionsandpenaltiesfordelaystointerconnectionstudies.U.S.DepartmentofEnergycommentsonCleanHydrogenProductionStandardGooglefiledcommentsontheCleanHydrogenProductionStandarddraftguidance.Inparticular,wehighlightedtheneedforstrongqualitycriteria—hourlytemporalcorrelation,geographiccorrelation,andadditionality—toensurethatgrid-basedcleanhydrogenisproducedusingcleanelectricity.EngagementwithcoalitionsandsustainabilityinitiativesSupportingtheU.S.StateDepartment’sCleanEnergyDemandInitiative(CEDI)Google.orgprovidedaphilanthropicgranttosupporttheestablishmentoftheSecretariatoftheU.S.StateDepartment’sCleanEnergyDemandInitiativewithintheCleanEnergyBuyersAssociation.CEDIisaninitiativeledbytheU.S.governmentthataimstoconnectcountrieswithcompaniesseekingtorapidlydeploycleanenergy,enablingcompaniestosenddemandsignalsforcleanenergyandadvancepolicymeasuresthatenablecorporatecleanenergyprocurement.ElectricitycustomercoalitionsTogetherwithbusinesspartners,Googlehelpedlaunchthreetradegroupsandcampaignstosupportthecreationofcustomer-centricwholesaleelectricitymarketsacrosstheUnitedStates,withthegoalofenablingrapiddecarbonizationofelectricitygridswhilereducingcosts.TheseincludeWesternFreedom,CoalitionforEnergyMarketReform,andElectricityCustomersAlliance.U.S.stateengagementUtilityregulationGoogleintervenedinover30regulatorydocketsacrosstheUnitedStateswithcoalitionpartnerstopromotethecost-effectiveadoptionofcleanenergyresources.RegulatoryframeworksfordecarbonizationGoogleleddiscussionswiththeNationalAssociationofRegulatoryUtilityCommissionersandtheNationalAssociationofStateEnergyOfficialstodiscusshowGoogle’s24/7CFEgoalcanbeasupportiveframeworktodrivecost-effectivegriddecarbonization.IntroductionAppendixEmpoweringindividualsGovernanceandengagementOperatingsustainablyWorkingtogether812023EnvironmentalReportEuropeEngagementonEuropeansustainability,climate,andenergypolicyEnergyEfficiencyDirectiveGoogleengagedwithEUpolicymakersthroughDigitalEuropetoinformthedevelopmentofastandardizedenergyandsustainabilityreportingframeworkfordatacenters,andestablishmeasurestoencouragegreaterreuseofwasteheat.RenewableEnergyDirectiveGoogleworkedthroughDigitalEuropeandRE-Sourcetoadvocatefortheinclusionoftime-stampingforGuaranteesofOriginintheEURenewableEnergyDirective,enablinghourlycarbon-freeenergymatchingandgreatertransparencyofcleanenergyclaims.GooglealsoorganizedanindustryletterencouragingtheEuropeanCommissiontoissuestrongrulesthatmaintaintheenvironmentalintegrityofgrid-basedhydrogenproduction.CirculareconomyecodesignregulationsonsmartphonesandtabletsGooglerespondedtopublicconsultationinSeptember2022,providingtechnicalfeedbackontheEUecodesignregulationsonsmartphonesandtablets.Sustainableconsumptionofpublicgoods(e.g.,“righttorepair”)GooglesubmittedcommentstotheEuropeanCommission’spublicconsultationregardingthepromotionofrepairandreuseofgoods.Wesharedourviewsonthecoreprinciplestoconsiderwhenintroducingpolicymeasurestopromoterepairandreusehorizontally,andforsmartphonesandtabletsspecifically.BodyofEuropeanRegulatorsforElectronicCommunications(BEREC)GooglerespondedtoaquestionnairebyBERECinviewofthedevelopmentofkeyperformanceindicatorstocharacterizetheenvironmentalimpactofelectroniccommunications,networks,devices,andservices.Weprovidedinformationaboutourenvironmentalreportingpracticesandsuggestionstohelpidentifywhichindicatorswouldproviderelevantenvironmentalinformation.EngagementwithcoalitionsandsustainabilityinitiativesRE-SourcePlatformGoogleisastrategicpartnerandsteeringcommitteememberoftheRE-SourcePlatform,theEuropeanplatformforcorporaterenewableenergysourcing.Throughitspolicyadvocacyandresourcesforrenewableenergybuyers,RE-SourceseekstoremovebarrierstocorporatepurchasingofrenewableenergyinsupportofEurope’sclimateandenergygoals.Asia-PacificAsiaCleanEnergyCoalition(ACEC)Asafoundingmember,GooglehelpedlaunchACECatCOP-27toworktogetherwithothercompaniesandorganizationstoacceleratecorporatecleanenergysourcingandhelpdecarbonizeelectricalgridsintheregion.Asia-PacificEconomicCooperation(APEC)GooglesupportedanAPECEnergyWorkingGroupproject,sponsoredbytheU.S.DepartmentofEnergyandthePacificNorthwestNationalLaboratory.Theprojectledtoareportthatsummarizedkeyinsightsandrecommendationssharedduringtwoworkshops,highlightingwaysgovernmentsandtheprivatesectorcanleadandpartnertoacceleratepowersystemdecarbonizationacrosstheregion.Australia-CleanEnergyDemandInitiativeMemorandumofUnderstandingGooglesignedontoanMOUbetweenAustraliaClimateChangeandEnergyMinisterChrisBowenandU.S.SpecialPresidentialEnvoyforClimateJohnKerry,focusedonbreakingdownbarrierstoenablecorporatecleanenergyprocurementinAustralia.Australia-AIandbluecarboncollaborationGooglepartneredwiththeAustralianGovernment’snationalscienceandresearchagency,theCommonwealthScientificandIndustrialResearchOrganisation,andtheDepartmentofForeignAffairsandTradeonaprojecttoexplorenovelapplicationsofAItomeasure,withgreaterefficiencyandaccuracy,thecapacityofseagrassecosystemstoabsorbandsequestercarbonintheIndo-Pacific.Australia-ClimateChangeBillGoogleprovidedapublicsubmissionandstatementofsupportontheClimateChangeBill2022andtheClimateChange(ConsequentialAmendments)Bill2022,whichpassedtheAustralianParliamentonSeptember8th,2022.TheformeroutlinesAustralia’sGHGemissionsreductiontargetsof43%reductionfrom2005levelsby2030,andnetzeroby2050.ThelattermakesconsequentialamendmentstoincorporateAustralia’sGHGemissionsreductiontargetsundertheParisAgreementintolegislationforrelevantCommonwealthentitiesandschemes.IntroductionAppendixEmpoweringindividualsGovernanceandengagementOperatingsustainablyWorkingtogether822023EnvironmentalReportTradeassociationsandthird-partygroupsWebelongtomanysustainability-focusedthird-partygroupsthroughwhichweengageonsustainabilitypolicyissuesaroundtheworld—forexample,organizationsliketheAmericanCleanPowerAssociation,theEuropeanClimateNeutralDataCenterPact,RE100,theAsiaCleanEnergyCoalition,andmanymore.Inaddition,we’vehelpedtofoundorganizationssuchastheCleanEnergyBuyersAssociationandtheUnitedNations24/7Carbon-FreeEnergyCompact.SeeFigure28formoredetails.FIGURE28Google’ssustainability-focusedtradeassociationsandmemberships•AdvancedEnergyUnited•AdvancedEnergyBuyersGroup•AdvancedPowerAlliance•AlliancetoSaveEnergy•AmericanCleanPowerAssociation•AmericanCouncilonRenewableEnergy•AmericansforaCleanEnergyGrid•AsiaCleanEnergyCoalition•BusinessAlliancetoScaleClimateSolutions•CarolinasCleanEnergyBusinessAssociation•BusinessEnvironmentLeadershipCounciloftheCenterforClimateandEnergySolutions•CleanEnergyBuyersAssociation•CleanEnergyDemandInitiative•CleanGridAlliance•ConservationVotersofSouthCarolina•DigitalEurope•EnergyAlabama•EnergyTag•GlasgowisOurBusiness•JapanClimateLeadersPartnership•MarktoffensiveErneuerbareEnergien•NorthCarolinaSustainableEnergyAssociation•RE100•RE-Source•ResourcesfortheFuture•RenewableNorthwest•SmartElectricPowerAlliance•SolarPowerEurope•WeAreStillIn•WindEuropeWe’realsomembersoftheU.S.ChamberofCommerce,BusinessRoundtable,andotherbusinesstradeassociations,wherewe’reengagedinclimateandenergypolicyissues.Forexample,we’refoundingmembersoftheChamber’sTaskForceonClimateActions,andwe’veengagedwithintheTaskForcesinceitsinceptiontosupportconstructiveengagementbytheChamberonclimatepolicytocreateazero-carboneconomy.Wealsoparticipateinstaff-leveldiscussionsontheBusinessRoundtable’sEnergyandEnvironmentcommittee.Werespecttheindependenceandagencyoftradeassociationsandthirdpartiestoshapetheirownpolicyagendas,events,andadvocacypositions.Oursponsorshiporcollaborationwithathird-partyorganizationdoesn’tmeanthatweendorsetheorganization’sentireagenda,itseventsoradvocacypositions,northeviewsofitsleadersormembers.WeassessthealignmentofourtradeassociationparticipationwiththegoalsoftheParisAgreement,andengagewithinorganizationstosupportadvocacyforclimatepoliciesneededtolimitwarmingto1.5°Candcreateaprosperousandcompetitivezero-carboneconomy.We’reindialoguewithourtradeassociationstoencouragealignmentbetweenourcorepublicpolicyobjectivesandtheirpolicyadvocacyactivities,includingonclimatechange.WithourBayViewcampus,wepaidcarefulattentiontothecharacteristicsofthespacesyoucanseeandfeel,likematerialsanddaylight,butalsotoaspectsthatarehardertosee,likeairquality,thermalcomfort,andacoustics.IntroductionAppendixEmpoweringindividualsGovernanceandengagementOperatingsustainablyWorkingtogether832023EnvironmentalReportPartnershipsGooglepartnerswithmanyorganizationstoaccelerateprogresstowardssharedsustainabilitygoals.ExamplesofsomekeypartnershipsareinFigure29.FIGURE29OrganizationDetails24/7Carbon-FreeEnergyCompactIn2021,wehelpedlaunchthe24/7Carbon-FreeEnergyCompactinpartnershipwithSustainableEnergyforAllandUN-Energytohelpgrowthemovementtoenablezero-carbonelectricity.In2022,thecompactsurpassed100signatories.BonnevilleEnvironmentalFoundation(BEF)GooglehaspartneredcloselywithBEFsince2019tokickofftheimplementationofourwaterstrategy.Insupportofour2030replenishmentandwatershedhealthgoals,ithelpedustoidentifyandsupportimpactfulwaterreplenishmentandwatershedhealthprojectsglobally,withavarietyoflocalorganizationsandpartners.BusinessforSocialResponsibility(BSR)GooglehasbeenamemberofBSRformanyyearsandisoneofafewselectSparkmembers.WeparticipateinanumberofBSRcollaborationinitiatives,andoneofourseniorleaderssitsonitsboard.C40CitiesC40andGooglelaunchedthe24/7Carbon-FreeEnergyforCitiesprogramtoempowercitiesaroundtheworldtorunentirelyoncleanenergy,andtheprogramwillsoonbeexpandedintoAfricawithgrantsupportfromGoogle.org.C40isastrategicpartnerofGoogle’sEnvironmentalInsightsExplorer,usingitsenvironmentaldataandinsightstohelpsupportitsnetworkofnearly100world-leadingcitiescollaboratingtodeliverurgentactiontoconfronttheclimatecrisis.CoalitiontoEndWildlifeTraffickingOnlineIn2018,21companiesjoinedGoogleinlaunchingtheCoalitiontoEndWildlifeTraffickingOnline,collectivelycreatingawildlifepolicyframeworkforonlinetradeandanindustry-wideapproachtoreduceonlinewildlifetrafficking.Thecoalitionunitesthetechindustrytostandardizeprohibitedwildlifepolicies,betterdetectillicitwildlifeproducts,enhanceautomateddetectionfilters,andempoweruserstoreportsuspiciouslistings.CDP(formerlyknownastheCarbonDisclosureProject)InadditiontoreportingourcarbonfootprinttoCDPsince2009,we’vepartneredwithCDPtohostitsannualconference,ahack-a-thon,andtolaunchCDPscoresinGoogleFinance,makingcorporatecarbondisclosureinformationmorewidelyavailable.CleanEnergyBuyersAssociation(CEBA)GooglewasactivelyinvolvedinthecreationofCEBAin2018,chairingtheInterimBoardofDirectorsduringitstransitionfromanNGO-ledeffortintoacorporate-ledtradeassociation.AGooglerepresentativecontinuestoserveastheBoardChairofthisorganization.Googleprovidedinitialfinancialsupportforthedevelopmentoftheorganizationandin2022,Google.orgprovideda$1milliongranttosupportCEBA’sinternationalexpansion.ClimateNeutralDataCentrePact(CNDCP)GooglehelpedestablishtheClimateNeutralDataCentrePact,acoalitionofEuropeandatacenteroperatorswhocommittoasetofvoluntarysustainabilitytargetstosetthemonapathtowardclimateneutrality.EllenMacArthurFoundation(EMF)GoogleisapartneroftheEllenMacArthurFoundation,havingjoinedthefoundation’snetworkin2015,andhasco-authoredanumberofthoughtleadershipwhitepapersandcasestudiesinareassuchassaferchemistry,thedeconstructionandreuseofcommercialofficebuildings,electronics,andAI.EnvironmentalDefenseFund(EDF)GooglehaspartneredwithEDFtomapairqualityusingStreetViewcarsintheU.S.,Europe,andSoutheastAsia,andtodetectmethaneleaksincitiessince2011.European24/7HubGooglesupportedthelaunchoftheEuropean24/7HubwithEurelectric,whichprovideseducationonthe“what,why,andhow”of24/7carbon-freeenergybuyersandsuppliersinEurope.GooglespokeatthelauncheventduringEuropeanSustainableEnergyWeek.EuropeanClimatePactGooglewasamongtheleadingbusinessesthatjoinedtheEuropeanClimatePactinitsinauguralyeartoshareourcommitmenttohelpachieveaclimateneutralEurope.EuropeanGreenDigitalCoalition(EGDC)GoogleisanactivememberoftheEGDC—agroupoftechnologycompaniescommittedtosupportingthegreenanddigitaltransformationoftheEU.Asamember,Googleparticipatesintheinitiative,designedtoharnesstheemission-reducingpotentialofdigitalsolutionsforallothersectors,andsupportgreenanddigitaltransformationsintheEU.OrganizationDetailsExponentialRoadmapInitiativeIn2021,wejoinedtheExponentialRoadmapInitiativeandtheU.N.RacetoZeroCampaign,thelargesteveralliancecommittedtohalvingemissionsbefore2030towardsnet-zeroemissionsbynolaterthan2050.FirstMoversCoalitionAttheWorldEconomicForumAnnualMeetingin2022,GooglejoinedtheFirstMoversCoalition.AsachampionfortheCarbonDioxideRemovalsector,Googlecommittedtocontractfordurableandscalablenetcarbondioxideremovaltobeachievedbytheendof2030.FrontierIn2022,wecommitted$200milliontoFrontier,anadvancedmarketcommitmentthatwillacceleratethedevelopmentofcarbonremovaltechnologiesbyguaranteeingfuturedemand.Wewereoneoffivecompaniesthatmadea$925milliontotalpledgetoFrontier.Asoneofitsfoundingmembers,we’rehelpingtoguideoverallstrategyandgovernance.GlobalCovenantofMayorsforClimate&Energy(GCoM)Google’sEnvironmentalInsightsExplorerwasdevelopedinpartnershipwithGCoMthroughasharedvisiontosupportcityclimateactionwithusefulandaccessibledataandinsights.Today,GCoMisastrategicpartner,sharingEIEdatawithitsallianceofcitiesandlocalgovernmentstoaccelerateclimateaction.ICLEIAfricaICLEIEuropeICLEIUSAGoogleisapartneroftheregionalsecretariatsofICLEI—LocalGovernmentsforSustainability—inAfrica,Europe,andtheU.S.Throughthesepartnerships,ICLEIregionalteamssupportsustainablecitydevelopmentprojectswithdataandinsightsfromGoogle’sEnvironmentalInsightsExplorer.Additionally,in2022,Google.orgprovideda$10milliongranttoICLEItosupport10nonprofit-ledprojectsintheUnitedStatesandEuropethathelpcitiesacceleratetheirsustainabletransitionthroughdata-drivenenvironmentalandclimateactionatthelocallevel.iMasonsClimateAccordGoogleisafoundingmemberandpartofthegoverningbodyoftheiMasonsClimateAccord,acoalitionunitedoncarbonreductionindigitalinfrastructure.ReFEDIn2022,toactivateindustry-widechange,GoogleprovidedanchorfundingtokickstarttheReFEDCatalyticGrantFund,withthegoalofacceleratingandscalingfoodwastesolutions.TheNatureConservancy(TNC)In2022,GooglesupportedthreeoftheNatureConservancy’swatershedprojectsinChileandtheUnitedStates,andGoogle.orgsupportedathree-phasedapproachtocatalyzeactivereforestationofkelpatimpactfulscales.Google.orgalsoprovidedagranttoTNCtodevelopamachine-learning-poweredtimber-tracingAPItostopdeforestationintheAmazonatscale;ateamofGoogleengineersisworkingfull-timeforsixmonthswithTNCtodevelopthisproductaspartoftheGoogle.orgFellowshipProgram.UnitedNationsFoodandAgricultureOrganization(FAO)Since2015,GoogleandtheU.N.FoodandAgriculturalOrganizationhavepartneredonthemonitoringofforests,naturalresources,livelihoods,andtheenvironment.FAOusesGoogleEarthEngineforsatelliteremotesensingandgeospatialdatasciencetowardsgroundbreakingscienceandoperationalworkflowsusedbypractitionersaroundtheglobe.UnitedNationsEnvironmentProgram(UNEP)IncollaborationwithUNEPandtheEuropeanCommissionJointResearchCentre,Googlelaunchedanewplatform—theFreshwaterEcosystemsExplorer—enablingallcountriestofreelymeasureandmonitorfreshwaterresources(towardsSustainableDevelopmentGoal6.6.1),andwhenandwheresurfacewaterischanging.WorldBusinessCouncilforSustainableDevelopment(WBCSD)GooglehasbeenamemberoftheWBCSDforseveralyearsandparticipatesinanumberofitsinitiatives.We’reactivelyinvolvedininitiativesrelatedtoimprovingwell-beingforpeopleandtheplanet,includingshiftingdiets,consumerbehaviorchanges,andregenerativeagriculture.WorldResourcesInstitute(WRI)Googlehasa13-yearlongrelationshipwithWRIforimpact-focusedcollaboration.Somekeyprojectsincludedevelopinganear-real-timelandcoverdataset(DynamicWorld),deforestationmonitoringandalerts(GlobalForestWatch),endingcommodity-drivendeforestationandacceleratingrestoration(ForestDataPartnership),measuringandmitigatingextremeheat(supportedbyGoogle.org),andeducatingstakeholderson24/7CFE.IntroductionAppendixEmpoweringindividualsGovernanceandengagementOperatingsustainablyWorkingtogether842023EnvironmentalReportAwardsandrecognition2022CDPClimateChangeAListAlphabethasbeennamedtoCDP’sClimateChangeAlist,demonstratingourcontinuedcommitmenttotransparencyandclimatereporting.Since2014,AlphabethasbeenincludedonCDP’sClimateChangeAListeighttimes.ENERGYSTARExcellenceAwardinProductDesign(2022)In2022,GoogleNestwonanENERGYSTARExcellenceAwardinProductDesignfortheproduct’sbest-in-classsmarttechnology,enablingincreasedenergyefficiency.CenterforResourceSolutionGreenPowerLeadershipAwardWinner(2021)Together,GoogleandM-RETSwonaGreenPowerLeadershipAwardforMarketDevelopmentforpilotingtheirconceptoftime-basedenergyattributecertificatesatGoogledatacenters.2022CDPSupplierEngagementLeaderAlphabetachievedanA-rating,makingitontoCDP’sSupplierEngagementRatingLeaderboard.2021FSCLeadershipAwardGoogleearneda2021leadershipawardfromtheForestStewardshipCouncil(FSC),whichrecognizesexcellencethatadvancesresponsibleforestmanagementandconservation,foroureffortstoincorporateFSC-certifiedtimberatourBayViewandCharlestonEastofficecampuses.2022CarbonClean200Alphabetachieveda#2rankingonthe2022CarbonClean200list.EPAGreenPowerLeadershipAward(2022)GooglewasrecognizedbytheEPAforitsexemplaryuseofgreenpowerandcommitmenttoinnovationandmarketguidancethroughleadershipinthegreenpowermarkets.RE100ChangemakerAward(2021)GooglewonRE100’sChangemakerAwardforourinnovative24/7cleanpowerstrategy.2022CorporateKnights’100MostSustainableCompaniesAlphabetwasranked#37outoftheworld’s100mostsustainablecorporations.IntroductionAppendixEmpoweringindividualsGovernanceandengagementOperatingsustainablyWorkingtogether852023EnvironmentalReportAppendixReportingapproachandmethodologyReportscopeDatameasurementanduncertaintyAssuranceMethodologyForward-lookinginformationEnvironmentaldatatablesEnvironmentalreportingframeworksindexEndnotesGlossaryIntroductionAppendixEmpoweringindividualsGovernanceandengagementOperatingsustainablyWorkingtogether862023EnvironmentalReportReportingapproachandmethodologyReportscopeThisreportincludesdatacoveringourfiscalyearJanuary1,2022throughDecember31,2022.MostofourenvironmentaldatacoversAlphabetInc.anditssubsidiaries,thelargestofwhichisGoogle.Allreporteddataisglobalandannualunlessotherwisespecified.DatameasurementanduncertaintyAllreportedvaluesrepresentthebestdataavailableattimeofpublication.Whereactualdataisn’tavailable,wemayuseestimates.Webaseourestimatesandmethodologiesonhistoricalexperience,availableinformation,andonvariousotherassumptionsthatwebelievetobereasonable.Allenvironmentaldatafoundinthisreportissubjecttomeasurementuncertaintiesresultingfromlimitationsinherentinthenatureandthemethodsusedfordeterminingsuchdata.Theselectionofdifferentbutacceptablemeasurementtechniquescanresultinmateriallydifferentmeasurements.Theprecisionofdifferentmeasurementtechniquesmayalsovary.Asweimproveourmethodologiesandasnewinformationbecomesavailable,wemaycontinuetoreviseourestimatesandassumptions.Methodologychangesmayincludechangesinacalculation,improvementsinthequalityofdata,newactivitytypesforgreaterdatagranularity,andupdatestoavailablesupplier-reporteddata.Suchupdatesmayresultinmaterialchangestoourcalculationsandmayalsoresultinadjustmentsmadetothecurrentandpreviousperiods,includingourbaseyear.Wherematerial,we’vedisclosedthesechangesandwhetherpreviousperiodshavebeenadjustedtoreflecttheseupdates.AssuranceWeobtainlimitedthird-partyassurancefromanindependentauditorforcertainenvironmentaldata,includingselectGHGemissions,energy,andwatermetricsasindicatedinourEnvironmentaldatatablesbelow.Ernst&YoungLLPreviewedthesemetricsforthefiscalyearendedDecember31,2022.Formoredetails,seeour2022IndependentAccountants’ReviewReport.Priortofiscalyear2019,anotherthirdpartyverifiedthefollowingemissions:Scope1,Scope2(market-based),Scope2(location-based),Scope3(businesstravelandemployeecommuting),andbiogenic.Formoreinformation,seeourpriorannualEnvironmentalReports.MethodologyThebelowmethodologiesapplytoourGHGemissions,aswellascertainothercarbon,energy,andwatermetricsaspresentedinourEnvironmentaldatatables,focusedprimarilyonthosewherewehaveobtainedthird-partylimitedassurance.Thesemetricshavebeenroundedasdescribedbelow.Duetoroundingappliedtoallreportedyearsofdatainour2023EnvironmentalReport,someofourreportedvaluesforprioryearsdon’tdirectlymatchtherelatedIndependentAccountants’ReviewReportsfromthoseyears.GreenhousegasemissionsGHGemissionsreportingstandardsGHGemissionsarecalculatedaccordingtotheGreenhouseGasProtocolstandardsandguidancedevelopedbytheWRIandtheWBCSD,includingACorporateAccountingandReportingStandard(RevisedEdition),Scope2Guidance,andTechnicalGuidanceforCalculatingScope3Emissions(collectively,“theGreenhouseGasProtocol”).OurinventoryWeusetheoperationalcontrolapproachtodefineourorganizationalboundary,whichmeansthatweaccountforallemissionsfromoperationsoverwhichwehavecontrol.Wedefineoperationalcontrolashavingtheauthoritytointroduceandimplementoperationalpoliciesoveranasset,andwereportallenergyandemissionsforAlphabetInc.anditssubsidiaries’datacenters,offices,andotherassetsunderouroperationalcontrol(“GlobalFacilities”).InSeptember2022,GoogleacquiredMandiant,andMandiant’semissionsareincludedinourorganizationalboundaryforfiscalyear2022.OurScope1andScope2emissionsincludefourofthesevenGHGsaddressedbytheKyotoProtocol—carbondioxide(CO2),methane(CH4),nitrousoxide(N2O),andhydrofluorocarbons(HFCs).OtherGHGs,includingperfluorocarbons(PFCs),sulfurhexafluoride(SF6),andnitrogentrifluoride(NF3),aren’tincludedinourinventory,asthey’renotemittedasaresultofouroperations.Further,in2022,CO2alonerepresentedover98%ofourtotalScope1andScope2market-basedemissions.Weconvertallemissionstometrictonsofcarbondioxideequivalent(tCO2e)forreporting.Allreportedvaluesareroundedtothenearesthundred,unlessotherwisenoted.Wesourcetheglobalwarmingpotentials(GWP)foreachGHGfromtheIPCCFourthAssessmentReport,AppendixA:GlobalWarmingPotentials.Scope1GHGemissionsScope1GHGemissionsaredirectemissionsfromsourcessuchascompanyvehiclesorgeneratorsatourofficesanddatacenters.TheyrepresentdirectemissionsfromownedGlobalFacilities,includingfuelusefromback-upgenerators,fuelconsumptionfromouroperatedvehiclesandaircraft,methaneandnitrousoxidefrombiogenicfuelsources,naturalgasusage,andrefrigerantleakage.Whereactualdataisn’tavailable,estimatednaturalgasconsumptioniscalculatedusingsquarefootageofGlobalFacilitiesandinternally-developednaturalgasintensityIntroductionAppendixEmpoweringindividualsGovernanceandengagementOperatingsustainablyWorkingtogether872023EnvironmentalReportfactorsbyofficetype,basedondatafromthecurrentfiscalyear.Beginningin2022,inanefforttocontinuouslyimplementbestpracticemethodologies,weincludedfugitiveemissionsfromrefrigerantleakageinouroperationalboundary.Theseemissionsrepresentedapproximately17%ofour2022Scope1GHGemissions.Whereactualrefrigerantleakagedataisn’tavailable,weestimaterefrigerantleakageusinganinternally-developedglobalwarmingpotentialandaleakagerate.Wedidn’trecalculateourScope1GHGemissionsforprioryearstoincluderefrigerantleakage.TheemissionfactorsusedtocalculateScope1emissionsincludethe2017WRI/WBCSDGHGProtocolEmissionFactorsfromCrossSectorTools,the2023EPACenterforCorporateClimateLeadershipGHGEmissionFactorsHub,andthe2022DepartmentforEnvironment,FoodandRuralAffairs(DEFRA)U.K.GovernmentGHGConversionFactors.Scope2GHGemissionsScope2GHGemissionsareindirectemissionsfrompurchasedelectricity,theproductionofspaceheatingforourleasedoffices,andrefrigerantleakageatourleasedoffices.Thelocation-basedmethodreflectstheaveragecarbonintensityoftheelectricgridswhereouroperationsarelocatedandthuswhereourelectricityconsumptionoccurs.Themarket-basedmethodincorporatesourprocurementchoices,namelyourrenewableenergypurchasesviacontractualmechanismslikepowerpurchaseagreements(PPAs).Actualdata,suchasthird-partyinvoices,isusedtocalculateScope2emissions.Whereactualdataisn’tavailable,estimatedelectricityandnaturalgasconsumptioniscalculatedusingsquarefootageofGlobalFacilitiesandinternallydevelopedelectricityandnaturalgasintensityfactorsbyofficetype,basedondatafromthecurrentfiscalyear.Beginningin2022,emissionsfromestimatedrefrigerantleakagewerecalculatedusinganinternally-developedglobalwarmingpotentialandleakagerate.RefrigerantleakageincludedinScope2GHGemissionsisimmaterial.Wedidn’trecalculateprioryearScope2GHGemissionstoincluderefrigerantleakage.TheemissionfactorsusedtocalculateScope2(location-based)emissionsincludethe2017WRI/WBCSDGHGProtocolEmissionFactorsfromCrossSectorTools,the2022IEAEmissionFactors,the2023EPAeGRIDEmissionFactors,andthe2022ClimateRegistryDefaultEmissionFactors.TheemissionfactorsusedtocalculateScope2(market-based)emissionsincludethe2017WRI/WBCSDGHGProtocolEmissionFactorsfromCrossSectorTools,the2022IEAEmissionFactors,the2022AssociationforIssuingBodiesEuropeanResidualMixes,the2023EPAeGRIDEmissionFactors,the2022ClimateRegistryDefaultEmissionFactors,andemissionfactorsspecifictoenergyattributecertificates.TheadjustedemissionfactorsfromtheAssociationforIssuingBodiesEuropeanResidualMixesareusedforEuropeanfacilities.OutsideofEurope,adjustedemissionfactorsaren’tavailabletoaccountforvoluntarypurchases.Scope3GHGemissionsScope3GHGemissionsareindirectemissionsfromothersourcesinourvaluechain,suchasoursuppliers,useofourconsumerhardwareproducts,andbusinesstravel.WeestimateourScope3GHGemissionsusingthetheGreenhouseGasProtocol’sTechnicalGuidanceforCalculatingScope3Emissions(version1.0),inthefollowingcategoriesidentifiedasrelevant:•Category1:Purchasedgoodsandservices•Category2:Capitalgoods•Category4:Upstreamtransportationanddistribution•Category6:Businesstravel•Category7:Employeecommuting,includingteleworking•Category11:Useofsoldproducts•Category12:End-of-lifetreatmentofsoldproductsInourEnvironmentaldatatables,wepresentcertainemissionsfromCategory1,Category2,Category11,ndCategory12asanaggregatedsubtotal—“Othercategories”—forbusinessreasons,asdescribedfurtherbelow.OurOperationalScope3emissionsaremadeupofCategory6andCategory7,andarethird-partyassured.AllreportedScope3emissionsvaluesareroundedtothenearestthousand.Category1:“Purchasedgoodsandservices”includesemissionsgeneratedfrommanufacturingconsumerhardwareandourfoodprogram.Toestimatefullsupplychainemissionsgeneratedfrommanufacturingconsumerhardware,weperformthird-party-verifiedLifeCycleAssessments(LCAs)inaccordancewithISO14040and14044.Forourfoodprogram,weuseLCAemissionfactorsfromWRIandannualBayAreaprocurementvolumestoestimateemissions,whichweextrapolatetoourglobaloperationsusingbuildingadmittances.InourEnvironmentaldatatables,emissionsfrommanufacturingconsumerhardwareproductsarepresentedinCategory2:“Capitalgoods.”Emissionsfromourfoodprogramarepresentedin“Othercategories.”Category2:“Capitalgoods”includesupstreamemissionsfromtheproductionofcapitalgoodswe’vepurchased,includingcomputingandstoragehardwareusedinourdatacenters.Thiscategoryalsoincludesemissionsfromdatacenterconstruction.Formanufacturingofcapitalgoods,wecollectsupplierScope1and2GHGemissionsdatadirectlyfromourhardwarecontractmanufacturers,componentsuppliers,andfablesssuppliersthroughtheCDPSupplyChainProgram;thesesuppliersrepresentourkey“Tier1”hardwaremanufacturingsupplierswithwhomwehaveadirectrelationship.Wheresupplieremissionsdataisn’tavailable,weestimatewithindustry-averageGHGintensitiesbycommoditytypeandspenddata.DatacenterconstructionemissionsareestimatedbyusinganLCAanalysistoderiveconstructionemissionsdataandthenapplyingthistoourconstructionactivity.InourEnvironmentaldatatables,emissionsfromourTier1hardwaremanufacturingsuppliersarepresentedinCategory2:“Capitalgoods,”andemissionsbeyondourTier1hardwaremanufacturingsuppliersarepresentedin“Othercategories.”Datacenterconstructionemissionsarepresentedin“Othercategories.”Category4:“Upstreamtransportationanddistribution”includesemissionsgeneratedprimarilyfromtransportationandwarehousingofourconsumerIntroductionAppendixEmpoweringindividualsGovernanceandengagementOperatingsustainablyWorkingtogether882023EnvironmentalReportproductsanddatacenterequipment.Wecollectconsumerproductsanddatacenterequipmenttransportationemissionsfromourlogisticsproviders.Thesewell-to-wheel(WTW)GHGemissionsarecalculatedbasedonfueluseorweight-distancedataandroutingassociatedwithashipment.Wherelogisticsprovideremissionsdataisn’tavailable,weuseweightanddistancedatabyshipmentcollectedfromtheproviderstoestimateWTWemissions,usingemissionsfactorsfromthe2019GlobalLogisticsEmissionsCouncil(GLEC)framework.Wherelogisticsproviderdataisn’tavailable,emissionsareestimatedbasedonreporteddatafromothertransportationprovidersandthenumberofunitsshipped.Forwarehousingemissions,wecollectenergydatadirectlyfromthewarehousesandestimateemissionsusingLCAelectricityandfuelfactorsfromthe2022SpheraLCAforExpertsdatabase.Wherewarehouseenergydataisn’tavailable,weestimateusingthe2018CommercialBuildingsEnergyConsumptionSurvey(CBECS)dataandthewarehousesquarefootageallocatedtoAlphabet.Category6:“Businesstravel”includesemissionsfromair,rail,andcarrentaltravel.Distanceandfuel-basedtraveldataiscollectedthroughouronlinebookingsystemorthroughathird-partytravelagencyforallsources.Dataobtainedfromourvaluechainpartnersisn’tusedatthistime.Emissionsarecalculatedusing2022DEFRAU.K.GovernmentGHGConversionFactorsforairtravel,the2017WRI/WBCSDGHGProtocolEmissionFactorsfromCrossSectorToolsforrailtravel,andthe2023EPACenterforCorporateClimateLeadershipGHGEmissionFactorsHubforcarrentaltravel.Category7:“Employeecommuting,includingteleworking”includesemissionsfromthetransportofourfull-timeemployeesbetweentheirhomesandtheirworksitesbyprivatevehicle,publictransit,motorcycle,andgas-poweredscootercommutingtrips.Todeterminethenumberofcommutingtripsbymodemadein2022,wesurveyedouremployeestodeterminetypicalcommutingpatternsandappliedthesecommutingpatternstoourglobalemployeepopulation.ThecalculationusesanaveragecommutingdistanceforpassengervehiclesobtainedfromtheU.S.DepartmentofTransportation’s2017NationalHouseholdTravelSurveyandanaveragefuelefficiencyforpassengervehiclesobtainedfromtheU.S.DepartmentofTransportation’sTransportationStatisticsTable4–23.Dataobtainedfromourvaluechainpartnersisn’tusedatthistime.Emissionsarecalculatedusing2022DEFRAU.K.GovernmentGHGConversionFactorsforpassengervehicles.Thiscategoryalsoincludesteleworkingemissions,whichwebegantoestimateandreportin2020,whenteleworkingbecameprevalentduetotheglobalpandemic.Teleworkingrepresentsemissionsgeneratedbyemployeesworkingremotelyfromtheirhomes.WeapplytheestimationmethodologyoutlinedinEcoAct’s2020HomeworkingEmissionswhitepapertoourannualaverageworkforcein2022.Category11:“Useofsoldproducts”includesemissionsgeneratedbyallofGoogle’sflagshipconsumerhardwareproductssoldin2022.Flagshipconsumerhardwareproductsareproductsthatcanprovidetheirmainfunctionalitywithoutconnectiontoanotherproduct.Forexample,thisdoesn’tincludeaccessories,suchascases.Useimpactwascalculatedusinglaboratorypowerdrawmeasurements,dataonusepatterns,commonindustryassumptionsonproductlifetimes,andLCAelectricityemissionfactorsfromthe2022SpheraLCAforExpertsdatabase.InourEnvironmentaldatatables,emissionsfromuseofsoldproductsarepresentedin“Othercategories.”Category12:“End-of-lifetreatmentofsoldproducts”includesGHGemissionsassociatedwiththeend-of-lifetreatmentofallofGoogle’sflagshipconsumerhardwareproductssoldin2022.End-of-lifeimpactwascalculatedthroughourLCAprocessusingemissionfactorsfromthe2022SpheraLCAforExpertsdatabase.Ourinitialassessmentsidentifythiscategorytobeonethatdoesn’thavesignificantlife-cycleimpact.Wecontinuetodevelopprogramstoextendthelifeofoursoldproductsandalsotoensureefficientmanagementofend-of-lifematerials.InourEnvironmentaldatatables,emissionsfromend-of-lifetreatmentofsoldproductsarepresentedin“Othercategories.”In2022,werevisedourmethodologytocalculateemissionsrelatedtoourconsumerhardwaremanufacturing,asweupdatedfromaspend-basedmethodologytoaLifeCycleAssessment-basedmethodology.Wealsomadeimprovementstothequalityofdatausedinestimatingouremissionsassociatedwithmanufacturingourdatacenterhardware,aswellastheLCAsandLCAemissionfactorsusedtocalculateemissionsrelatedtodatacenterconstruction.Wedidn’trecalculateprioryearScope3GHGemissionstoreflectthesechanges.BiogenicemissionsInaccordancewiththeGreenhouseGasProtocol,biogenicemissionsarereportedseparatelyfromotherScope1GHGemissions.TheseCO2emissionsaregeneratedfromouroperatedvehiclesconsumingbiofuels.Biogenicemissionsarecalculatedusingemissionfactorsfromthe2023EPACenterforCorporateClimateLeadershipGHGEmissionFactorsHub.EmissionsreductionsandcompensationsWecalculateourtotaloperationalemissionsbysummingScope1,Scope2(market-based),Scope3(Category6:Businesstravel),andScope3(Category7:Employeecommuting,includingteleworking),perthecriteriadescribedabove.Thismarket-basedsubtotalhasbeenreducedbytheimpactofrenewableenergyprocurementviaPPAsandmarket-basedemissionfactors.Ouroperationalemissionsarethenfurthercompensatedforbyhigh-qualitycarboncreditsenabledthroughcontractedcarbonoffsetprojects,whichcaptureanddestroyhighlypotentGHGs.AcarbonoffsetprojectisanactivitythatreducesGHGemissionsorcapturesGHGemissionsfromtheatmosphere,ultimatelyrepresentedbyacarboncredit.ThecarboncreditsignifiesthatGHGemissionsarelowerthanifnoonehadinvestedintheproject.Onecarboncreditequalsonemetrictonofcarbondioxideequivalentpreventedfromenteringtheatmosphere.Weassesstheseprojectsagainstfourstandardsbeforeinvesting:additionality,leakageprevention,permanence,andverifiability.Weprimarilyenterintolong-termpurchaseagreementswithcarboncreditsupplierstosecurefuturedeliveries.Oncecarboncreditsfromaprojectundercontractareverifiedbyathird-partyandissuedbyacarbonregistry,pertheagreementterms,ownershipofthecarboncreditsistransferredfromtheprojectownertoGoogle.OurcarboncreditsareverifiedundertheClimateActionReserve(CAR),AmericanCarbonRegistry(ACR),VerifiedCarbonStandard(VCS),ortheUNFCCCCleanDevelopmentMechanism.IntroductionAppendixEmpoweringindividualsGovernanceandengagementOperatingsustainablyWorkingtogether892023EnvironmentalReportAllcarboncreditsareretiredonapublicregistryafterthey’redeliveredtous.Duetothetimingofthird-partyverifications,deliveryandretirementforsome2022carboncreditsoccursaftertheyearendedDecember31,2022.TheGreenhouseGasProtocolstatesthataGHGtargetcanbemetthroughusingcreditsthataregeneratedfromGHGreductionprojectsatsourcesexternaltothe(company’s)boundary.They’redesignedtobeinterchangeablegloballyanddeliverablefromavarietyofprojecttypes.RefertoourGoogle’sCarbonOffsets:CollaborationandDueDiligencewhitepaperforadditionalinformation.Thequantityofcarboncreditsenabledthroughcontractedprojectsissubjecttothelimitedassuranceproceduresnotedabove;however,thequalityofourprojectsandtherelatedduediligenceisn’tsubjecttothelimitedassuranceprocedures.OthercarbonandenergymetricsOurcarbonintensitymetricsarecalculatedasdefinedbyGRIDisclosure305-4a-c.CarbonintensitymetricsarebasedongrossglobalcombinedScope1andScope2(market-based)emissions.Reportedcarbonintensityperunitofrevenueandperfull-timeequivalent(FTE)employeevaluesareroundedtothenearesthundredth,andreportedcarbonintensityperMWhofenergyconsumedvaluesareroundedtothenearesttenthousandth.TotalenergyconsumptioniscalculatedasdefinedbyGRIDisclosure302-1e-f.Totalenergyconsumptionincludesallfuelandnaturalgasconsumption,purchasedelectricity,purchasedheating,andallelectricitygeneratedon-sitefromrenewablesources.TotalelectricityconsumptioniscalculatedasdefinedbyGRIDisclosure302-1c(i)and302-1f,andincludesbothpurchasedandself-generatedelectricity.Whereactualelectricityconsumptionforfacilitiesisn’tavailable,weestimateconsumptionusingcompanysquarefootageandinternallydevelopedelectricityintensityfactorsbasedonfiscalyear2022data.Electricitypurchasedfromrenewablesources(%)iscalculatedonacalendar-yearbasis,dividingthevolumeofrenewableelectricity(inmegawatt-hours)procuredforourglobaloperations(i.e.,renewableenergyprocuredthroughourPPAcontracts,on-siterenewableenergygeneration,andrenewableenergyintheelectricgridswhereourfacilitiesarelocated)bythetotalvolumeofelectricityconsumedbyourglobaloperations.Thismetricincludesallrenewableenergypurchased,regardlessofthemarketinwhichtherenewableenergywasconsumed.Googlecurrentlypurchasesenoughrenewableenergytomatchourannualglobalelectricityconsumption.Toachieveour100%renewableenergymatchgoal,wefirstconsiderbothouron-siterenewableenergygenerationandtherenewableenergythat’salreadyintheelectricgridswhereourfacilitiesarelocated,thenprocurerenewableenergythroughPPAagreementsandutilityrenewableenergytariffs.Wehaveafewfacilitieslocatedingeographieswherewe’renotcurrentlyabletosourcelargevolumesofrenewableenergy,sowecurrentlymakeupforthisbybuyingsurplusrenewableenergyinregionswhereit’sabundant.Forexample,bybuyinglargeramountsofwindenergyinplaceslikeEurope,wecompensateforourlackofrenewableenergypurchasesinAsia.ThisapproachresultsinourScope2market-basedemissionsbeinggreaterthanzero,pertheGreenhouseGasProtocolScope2Guidance,despiteusachievingour100%renewableenergymatchglobally.WatermetricsWereportallwatermetricsforAlphabetInc.anditssubsidiaries’datacenters,offices,andotherassetsunderouroperationalcontrol.“Waterconsumption”isequalto(“Waterwithdrawal”–“Waterdischarge”).Ourreportedwaterconsumption,waterwithdrawal,andwaterdischargemetricsdon’tincludeseawater.Watermetricsareroundedtothenearesthundredthousandgallonsandarereportedinmilliongallons.Waterwithdrawaldataisbasedonactualmeteredorinvoiceddatawhenit’savailable.Atofficeswheremeteredorinvoiceddataisn’tavailable,waterwithdrawalisestimatedusingfacilitysquarefootageandinternallydevelopedwaterwithdrawalintensityfactorsbyofficetypebasedonfiscalyeardata.Inallinstanceswhereactualpotablewaterdischargeisn’tavailable,weapplya90%dischargeflowfactortothefacilitywaterwithdrawaltoestimatewaterdischarge.Forirrigationwater,weapplya0%dischargeflowfactortothefacilitywaterwithdrawaltoestimatewaterdischarge.Thisestimationprocessisapplicabletoallofficesandtopotableandirrigationwaterwithdrawalatdatacentersusedfordomesticpurposes(i.e.,waternotusedforITcooling)whereactualdischargeisn’tavailable.Forward-lookinginformationReferencestoinformationinthisreportshouldnotbeconstruedasacharacterizationregardingthematerialityofsuchinformationtoourfinancialresultsorouroperations.Whilecertainmattersdiscussedinthisreportmaybesignificant,anysignificanceshouldnotbereadasnecessarilyrisingtothelevelofmaterialityusedforthepurposesofcomplyingwithapplicablesecuritieslawsandregulations.Theinformationinthisreportmaycontainprojections,futureestimates,plans,expectations,goals,andotherforward-lookingstatements.Forward-lookingstatementsarebasedoncurrentexpectationsandassumptionsthataresubjecttocertainrisksanduncertainties,whichcouldcauseouractualresultstodiffermateriallyfromthosereflectedintheforward-lookingstatements.Anychangesinmethodologymayresultinmaterialchangestoourcalculationsandmayresultinthecurrentandpreviousperiods,includingourbaseyear,tobeadjusted.Exceptasrequiredbylaw,weundertakenoobligationtocorrect,revise,orupdateanyinformationincludedinthisreport.IntroductionAppendixEmpoweringindividualsGovernanceandengagementOperatingsustainablyWorkingtogether902023EnvironmentalReportEnvironmentaldatatablesGHGEMISSIONSUnit20182019202020212022Emissioninventory146Scope1tCO2e63,50066,70038,70045,10091,200147Scope2(location-based)tCO2e4,344,7005,116,9005,865,1006,576,2008,045,400ImpactofPPAsandmarket-basedemissionsfactorstCO2e-3,660,500-4,322,700-4,953,700-4,753,100-5,553,200Scope2(market-based)tCO2e684,200794,300911,4001,823,1002,492,200148Scope3(Category2:Capitalgoods)149tCO2e3,709,0002,157,0001,809,0001,676,0002,096,000Scope3(Category4:Upstreamtransportationanddistribution)tCO2e475,000459,000504,000484,000556,000Scope3(Category6:Businesstravel)tCO2e312,000369,000110,00026,000211,000Scope3(Category7:Employeecommuting)tCO2e150,000173,000101,000111,000151,000150Scope3(Othercategories)151tCO2e8,252,0008,509,0006,848,0007,206,0004,586,000Scope3(total)tCO2e12,898,00011,667,0009,372,0009,503,0007,600,000Totalemissions:Scope1,2(market-based),and3(total)tCO2e13,645,70012,528,00010,322,10011,371,20010,183,400Totaloperationalemissions:Scope1,2(market-based),and3(businesstravelandemployeecommuting)tCO2e1,209,7001,403,0001,161,1002,005,2002,945,400EmissionscompensatedforbycarboncreditstCO2e-1,209,700-1,403,000-1,161,100-2,005,200-2,945,400TotaloperationalemissionsafteremissionsreductionsandcompensationstCO2e00000BiogenicemissionstCO222,90021,9005,4003,80017,900CarbonintensityCarbonintensityperunitofrevenuetCO2e/millionU.S.$5.475.325.217.259.13CarbonintensityperFTEemployeetCO2e/FTE8.367.967.4912.8714.76Carbonintensitypermegawatt-hourofenergyconsumedtCO2e/MWh0.07070.06750.06150.10060.1159Assuredfor2022IntroductionAppendixEmpoweringindividualsGovernanceandengagementOperatingsustainablyWorkingtogether912023EnvironmentalReportGHGEMISSIONS2022GHGemissionsbytype152UnitScope1Scope2(market-based)Scope2(location-based)CO2tCO2e74,7002,458,2007,978,700CH4tCO2e2003,40015,100N2OtCO2e2008,10029,100HFCstCO2e16,10022,50022,500TotaltCO2e91,2002,492,2008,045,400GHGEMISSIONS2022GHGemissionsbyregionUnitScope1Scope2(market-based)Scope2(location-based)NorthAmericatCO2e62,1001,228,9005,990,900Europe,MiddleEast,&AfricatCO2e20,90027,300685,200LatinAmericatCO2e1,6009,400138,500AsiaPacifictCO2e6,6001,226,6001,230,800GlobaltotaltCO2e91,2002,492,2008,045,400ENERGY2022ElectricityandrenewableenergybyregionUnitTotalelectricityTotalrenewableenergyallocated153NorthAmericaMWh15,585,10011,288,200Europe,MiddleEast,&AfricaMWh3,429,5003,356,300LatinAmericaMWh366,400307,700AsiaPacificMWh2,395,20010,800GlobaltotalMWh21,776,20014,963,000ENERGY154Unit20182019202020212022EnergyconsumptionFuelMWh468,200366,400181,800205,200374,800Purchasedelectricity155MWh10,094,90012,226,20015,125,70018,238,40021,685,300PurchasedheatMWh-150,500124,800119,300219,100On-siterenewableelectricityMWh9,4006,3007,2008,8009,600TotalenergyconsumptionMWh10,572,50012,749,50015,439,50018,571,70022,288,800ElectricityconsumptionElectricityconsumption(U.S.)MWh7,085,6008,489,20010,789,20012,903,40015,501,200Electricityconsumption(international)MWh3,018,7003,748,0004,349,3005,383,7006,275,000Totalelectricityconsumption156MWh10,104,30012,237,20015,138,50018,287,10021,776,200RenewableenergyRenewableenergycontracts(cumulative)MW3,8005,4005,7007,20011,600Renewableelectricity(PPAs)MWh8,240,6009,715,00012,069,20014,109,40016,693,600Renewableelectricity(on-site)MWh5,9006,3007,2008,8009,600Renewableelectricity(grid)MWh1,857,8002,515,9003,062,1004,168,9005,073,000TotalrenewableelectricitypurchasedMWh10,104,30012,237,20015,138,50018,287,10021,776,200Percentageofelectricityprocuredfromrenewablesources157%100100100100100Assuredfor2022IntroductionAppendixEmpoweringindividualsGovernanceandengagementOperatingsustainablyWorkingtogether922023EnvironmentalReportENERGYEFFICIENCY(PUE)158,159Unit20182019202020212022CountryLocationBelgiumSt.GhislainPUE1.091.091.081.081.09ChileQuilicuraPUE1.121.091.081.091.09DenmarkFredericiaPUE----1.12FinlandHaminaPUE1.091.091.091.091.09IrelandDublinPUE1.111.121.091.091.09NetherlandsEemshavenPUE1.111.091.091.081.07Singapore1stfacilityPUE1.181.151.141.131.13Singapore2ndfacilityPUE----1.21TaiwanChanghuaCountyPUE1.141.131.131.121.12UnitedStatesBerkeleyCounty,SouthCarolinaPUE1.121.111.111.11.1UnitedStatesCouncilBluffs,Iowa(1stfacility)PUE1.121.121.111.121.12UnitedStatesCouncilBluffs,Iowa(2ndfacility)PUE1.091.091.091.091.08UnitedStatesTheDalles,Oregon(1stfacility)PUE1.131.111.11.111.1UnitedStatesTheDalles,Oregon(2ndfacility)PUE-1.071.071.061.07UnitedStatesDouglasCounty,GeorgiaPUE1.121.121.11.091.09UnitedStatesHenderson,NevadaPUE----1.11UnitedStatesJacksonCounty,AlabamaPUE---1.131.12UnitedStatesLenoir,NorthCarolinaPUE1.111.11.091.091.09UnitedStatesLoudounCounty,Virginia(1stfacility)PUE---1.11.09UnitedStatesLoudounCounty,Virginia(2ndfacility)PUE---1.131.09UnitedStatesMayesCounty,OklahomaPUE1.11.101.121.11.1UnitedStatesMidlothian,TexasPUE----1.16UnitedStatesMontgomeryCounty,TennesseePUE---1.11.11UnitedStatesNewAlbany,OhioPUE----1.14UnitedStatesPapillion,NebraskaPUE----1.13Averageannualfleet-widePUEacrossGoogle-ownedand-operateddatacentercampusesPUE1.111.101.101.101.10IntroductionAppendixEmpoweringindividualsGovernanceandengagementOperatingsustainablyWorkingtogether932023EnvironmentalReportCARBON-FREEENERGY(CFE)160,161Unit2019202020212022CFEacrossGoogledatacenters(hourly)%61676664CFEacrossGoogleoffices(hourly)%---56CFEacrossGoogledatacentersandoffices(hourly)%---64DATACENTERCARBON-FREEENERGY2022CountryRegionalgrid162UnitGridCFEGoogleCFEAustralia(NewSouthWales)AustralianEnergyMarketOperator(AEMO),Australia%2727Australia(Victoria)AustralianEnergyMarketOperator(AEMO),Australia%3434BelgiumElia,Belgium%7480BrazilOperadorNacionaldoSistemaElétrico(ONS),Brazil%8989CanadaTheIndependentElectricitySystemOperator(IESO),Canada%9090CanadaHydro-Québec,Canada%100100ChileSistemaInterconectadoCentral,Chile%5390DenmarkEnerginet,Denmark%8290FinlandFingrid,Finland%8697FranceRéseaudeTransportd’Électricité(RTE),France%8787GermanyGermany%5696GreatBritainNationalGridESO,GreatBritain%5885HongKongHongKong%2828IndiaNorthIndiaRegionalGrid,India%2323IndiaWestIndiaRegionalGrid,India%2424IndonesiaPerusahaanListrikNegara(PLN),Indonesia%1313IrelandEirGrid,Ireland%3939IsraelIsraelElectricCorporation(IEC)%22ItalyTerna,Italy%4242JapanKansaiElectricPowerCompany,Japan%3232JapanTEPCOPowerGrid,Japan%1616DATACENTERCARBON-FREEENERGY2022CountryRegionalgrid163UnitGridCFEGoogleCFENetherlandsTennet,Netherlands%4257PolandPolskieSieciElektroenergetyczne(PSE),Poland%2424SingaporeEnergyMarketAuthorityofSingapore,Singapore%44SouthKoreaKoreaPowerExchange(KPX),SouthKorea%3131SpainRedEléctrica,Spain%6767SwitzerlandSwissgrid,Switzerland%8585TaiwanTaiwanPowerCompany,Taiwan%1818UnitedStatesofAmericaBonnevillePowerAdministration(BPA),U.S.%8989UnitedStatesofAmericaCaliforniaIndependentSystemOperator(CAISO),U.S.%5656UnitedStatesofAmericaDukeEnergyCarolinas,U.S.%5963UnitedStatesofAmericaElectricReliabilityCouncilofTexas(ERCOT),U.S.%4141UnitedStatesofAmericaMidcontinentIndependentSystemOperator(MISO),U.S.%3596UnitedStatesofAmericaNevadaEnergy(NVE),U.S.%2727UnitedStatesofAmericaPacifiCorpEast(PACE),U.S.%3131UnitedStatesofAmericaPennsylvania,Jersey,MarylandPowerPool,(PJM),U.S.%4060UnitedStatesofAmericaSouthCarolinaPublicServiceAuthority(SanteeCooper),U.S.%2626UnitedStatesofAmericaSouthernCompany(SOCO),U.S.%2840UnitedStatesofAmericaSouthwestPowerPool(SPP),U.S.%4787UnitedStatesofAmericaTennesseeValleyAuthority(TVA),U.S.%5263IntroductionAppendixEmpoweringindividualsGovernanceandengagementOperatingsustainablyWorkingtogether942023EnvironmentalReportWASTEUnit20182019202020212022WastegenerationWastegenerated164Metrictons57,10048,10028,90028,20038,200WastediversionLandfilldiversionrate(datacenters)%8790817886Landfilldiversionrate(offices)%7671716475165Totallandfilldiversionrate%8077777784DatacenterhardwarerefurbishmentandreuseRefurbishedinventoryusedforserverdeployment,maintenance,andupgrades166%--101321ComponentsresoldintothesecondarymarketMillioncomponents3.510.08.24.95.0WATER167Unit20182019202020212022Globaloperationalwater168WaterconsumptionMilliongallons-3,412.43,748.94,561.85,564.7WaterdischargeMilliongallons-1,748.31,939.81,734.82,034.9WaterwithdrawalMilliongallons4,169.85,160.75,688.76,296.67,599.6Waterreplenishment169WaterreplenishedMilliongallons----271.0ContractedwaterreplenishmentcapacityoverlifetimeofprojectsMilliongallons----1,317.2Assuredfor2022IntroductionAppendixEmpoweringindividualsGovernanceandengagementOperatingsustainablyWorkingtogether952023EnvironmentalReportWATERUSEBYDATACENTERLOCATION1702022LocationUnitWithdrawalDischargeConsumptionAshburn,VirginiaPotablewaterMilliongallons48.848.83.845.0BerkeleyCounty,SCPotablewaterMilliongallons732.4732.470.3662.1CouncilBluffs,IAPotablewaterMilliongallons1,236.01,236.0339.9896.1TheDalles,ORPotablewaterMilliongallons352.2352.278.0274.2DouglasCounty,GAPotablewaterReclaimedwastewater171Milliongallons378.372.4305.973.1305.2Dublin,Ireland172PotablewaterMilliongallons0.60.60.50.1Eemshaven,NetherlandsPotablewaterNon-potablewater173Milliongallons336.72.0334.7109.9226.8Fredericia,DenmarkPotablewaterMilliongallons26.926.97.719.2Hamina,FinlandPotablewaterMilliongallons3.93.93.50.4Henderson,NVPotablewaterMilliongallons133.2133.251.182.1JacksonCounty,ALPotablewaterMilliongallons113.4113.419.494.0Leesburg,VAPotablewaterMilliongallons155.2155.226.3128.9Lenoir,NCPotablewaterMilliongallons349.5349.529.0320.5Golfcourseequivalents(estimated)174<14.46.01.82.0<11.5<1<1<1<1<12.1WATERUSEBYDATACENTERLOCATION1752022LocationUnitWithdrawalDischargeConsumptionMayesCounty,OKPotablewaterMilliongallons896.8896.8207.1689.7Middenmeer,NetherlandsPotablewaterMilliongallons6.76.72.04.7Midlothian,TXPotablewaterMilliongallons117.3117.324.093.3MontgomeryCounty,TNPotablewaterMilliongallons285.3285.336.6248.7NewAlbany,OHPotablewaterMilliongallons69.969.920.349.6Papillion,NEPotablewaterMilliongallons68.468.421.846.6Quilicura,ChilePotablewaterMilliongallons186.5186.582.9103.6St.Ghislain,BelgiumPotablewaterNon-potablewater176Milliongallons382.414.2368.2111.8270.6Sterling,VAPotablewaterMilliongallons74.974.919.555.4StoreyCounty,NV177PotablewaterMilliongallons2.12.11.90.2OtherdatacenterlocationsPotablewaterNon-potablewaterReclaimedwastewaterMilliongallons664.3172.0136.3356.061.4602.9DatacenterstotalPotablewaterNon-potablewaterReclaimedwastewaterMilliongallons6,621.45,120.6839.1661.91,401.95,219.9Golfcourseequivalents(estimated)1784.6<1<11.7<1<1<11.8<1<14.034.8IntroductionAppendixEmpoweringindividualsGovernanceandengagementOperatingsustainablyWorkingtogether962023EnvironmentalReportEnvironmentalreportingframeworksindexTodeterminewhatcontenttoincludeinthisreport,weconsideredglobalsustainabilityreportingframeworksandguidelines,industrybestpractices,andstakeholderexpectations.WemaintainanESGIndexwhichmapsourpublicdisclosurestotheSustainableAccountingStandardsBoard(SASB)andtotheTaskForceonClimate-RelatedFinancialDisclosures(TCFD)frameworks.We’veformallyexpressedsupportfortheTCFDreportingframeworkanditssevenprinciplesforclimatedisclosure,andwebelievethatourvoluntarydisclosuresonclimate-relatedmattersareconsistentwiththerecommendationsoftheTCFDframework.Everyyearsince2009,we’vepubliclyreportedourcarbonfootprinttoCDP(formerlyknownastheCarbonDisclosureProject).Since2014,AlphabethasbeenincludedonCDP’sClimateChangeA-listeighttimes,demonstratingourcontinuedcommitmenttotransparencyandclimatereporting.ForourmostrecentCDPClimateChangeResponse,seeoursustainabilityreportspage.ClimatetransitionplanInthisreport,we’veoutlinedelementsofourclimatetransitionplanthatwillhelpusmakeprogresstowardournet-zeroambitions.ThisincludesinformationaboutourGHGemissions,science-basedemissionsreductiontarget,emissionsreductioninitiatives,low-carbonproductsandservices,valuechainengagement,policyadvocacyandengagement,climateriskassessment,andgovernancemechanisms.Toseewhereelementsofourclimatetransitionplancanbefound,seereportlocationsmarkedwith()inthetablesbelow.GENERALFrameworksEnvironmentaldisclosurecategoryTopic2023EnvironmentalReportlocationCDPClimateTCFDSASBStrategyandgovernanceStatementfromseniordecision-maker•Introduction-ExecutivelettersC16.SignoffSustainabilitygovernance•Governanceandengagement-SustainabilitygovernanceC1.GovernanceGovernance:A,BReportingapproachandmethodologyEnvironmentalaccountingmethodology•Appendix-Reportingapproachandmethodology-MethodologyC5.EmissionsmethodologyThird-partyassurance•Appendix-Reportingapproachandmethodology-MethodologyC10.VerificationExternalengagementApproachtostakeholderengagement•Governanceandengagement-StakeholderengagementC12.EngagementValuechainengagement•Governanceandengagement-Stakeholderengagement;Partnerships•Empoweringindividuals•Workingtogether•OperatingsustainablyC12.EngagementPolicyengagement•Governanceandengagement-PublicpolicyandadvocacyC12.EngagementTradeassociationmembership•Governanceandengagement-Publicpolicyandadvocacy-Tradeassociationsandthird-partygroupsC12.EngagementPartnerships•Governanceandengagement-Publicpolicyandadvocacy;PartnershipsC12.EngagementExternalinitiatives•Governanceandengagement-Publicpolicyandadvocacy;Partnerships;AwardsandrecognitionC12.EngagementDenotessectionsthatcontainelementsofourclimatetransitionplanIntroductionAppendixEmpoweringindividualsGovernanceandengagementOperatingsustainablyWorkingtogether972023EnvironmentalReportCLIMATECHANGEFrameworksEnvironmentaldisclosurecategoryTopic2023EnvironmentalReportlocationCDPClimateTCFDSASBGovernanceandoversightOurstrategy•Operatingsustainably-Net-zerocarbonC3.BusinessstrategyBoardand/ormanagementoversight•Governanceandengagement-SustainabilitygovernanceC1.GovernanceGovernance:A,BManagementapproachClimate-relatedrisksandopportunitiesoverdifferenttimehorizons•Governanceandengagement-Riskmanagement-Climate-relatedrisksC2.RisksandopportunitiesStrategy:A,BProcessesforidentifying,assessing,andmanagingclimate-relatedrisksandopportunitiesforbusinessstrategyandfinancialplanning•Governanceandengagement-Riskmanagement-Climate-relatedrisksC2.RisksandopportunitiesStrategy:BRiskmanagement:A,B,CDescriptionofscenarioanalysisprocess,strategy,andresults•Governanceandengagement-Riskmanagement-Climate-relatedrisksC2.RisksandopportunitiesC3.BusinessstrategyStrategy:CIntegrationofclimate-relatedrisksandscenarioanalysisintooverallriskmanagementandresiliencyplanning•Governanceandengagement-Riskmanagement-Climate-relatedrisksC2.RisksandopportunitiesRiskmanagement:CIntegrationofenvironmentalrisksindatacenterplanning•Operatingsustainably-Net-zerocarbon-Ourapproach-Reducingcarbonemissions-Energy-efficientandlow-carbonfacilities-DatacentersC2.RisksandopportunitiesRiskmanagement:BTC-IM-130a.3TC-SI-130a.3Valuechainengagementonclimatechange•Operatingsustainably-Net-zerocarbon-Reducingcarbonemissions-Supplierengagement;Advancingcarbon-freeenergy-CFEinvestmentsC12.EngagementEngagementwithexternaltargetsandinitiativesrelatedtonetzero•Operatingsustainably-Net-zerocarbon-Advancingcarbon-freeenergy-Transformingtheenergysystemthroughpartnershipsandadvocacy•Workingtogether-Ourapproach-Supportpartners-Cloudcustomersandcommercialpartners;Creatingecosystemsforcollaboration-Google.org;GoogleforStartupsC12.EngagementEngagementwithpublicpolicyandtradeassociationsonclimatechange•Governanceandengagement-PublicpolicyandadvocacyC12.EngagementGoalsandtargetsEnergy-andemissions-relatedtargetsandprogressagainstgoals•Introduction-TargetsandprogresssummaryC4.TargetsMetricsandtargets:A,CPerformanceindicatorsScope1,2,and3emissions•Appendix-Environmentaldatatables•Operatingsustainably-Net-zerocarbon-Ourapproach-Reducingcarbonemissions-OuremissionsreductiongoalC7.EmissionsbreakdownMetricsandtargets:A,BAverageannualPUE•Appendix-Environmentaldatatables•Operatingsustainably-Net-zerocarbon-Ourapproach-Reducingcarbonemissions-Energy-efficientandlow-carbonfacilities-DatacentersC9.AdditionalmetricsMetricsandtargets:ACarbonintensity•Appendix-Environmentaldatatables•Operatingsustainably-Net-zerocarbon-Ourapproach-Reducingcarbonemissions-OuremissionsreductiongoalC6.EmissionsdataMetricsandtargets:ACarbon-freeenergypercentage•Appendix-Environmentaldatatables•Operatingsustainably-Net-zerocarbon-Ourapproach-Advancingcarbon-freeenergyC1.GovernanceC4.TargetsandperformanceC8.EnergyMetricsandtargets:A,CTC-IM-130a.1TC-SI-130a.1Reductionofenergyconsumptionwithinourorganization•Operatingsustainably-Net-zerocarbon-Net-zerocarbon-OurapproachC2.RisksandopportunitiesMetricsandtargets:CDevelopmentoflow-carbonproductsandservices•Appendix-Environmentaldatatables•Operatingsustainably-Net-zerocarbon-OurapproachC4.5Low-carbonproductsStrategy:AEmissionsreductions,compensations,andremovalsforouroperations•Appendix-Environmentaldatatables•Operatingsustainably-Net-zerocarbon-Ourapproach-Reducingcarbonemissions;Advancingcarbon-freeenergyC6.EmissionsdataC11.CarbonpricingMetricsandtargets:CRenewableenergyinvestmentsandcontracts•Appendix-Environmentaldatatables•Operatingsustainably-Net-zerocarbon-Ourapproach-Reducingcarbonemissions;Advancingcarbon-freeenergyC2.RisksandopportunitiesC3.BusinessstrategyC4.TargetsandperformanceC6.EmissionsdataMetricsandtargets:CDenotessectionsthatcontainelementsofourclimatetransitionplanIntroductionAppendixEmpoweringindividualsGovernanceandengagementOperatingsustainablyWorkingtogether982023EnvironmentalReportWATERFrameworksEnvironmentaldisclosurecategoryTopic2023EnvironmentalReportlocationCDPClimateTCFDSASBGovernanceandoversightOurstrategy•Operatingsustainably-WaterstewardshipBoardand/ormanagementoversight•Governanceandengagement-SustainabilitygovernanceC1.GovernanceManagementapproachProcessesforidentifying,assessing,andmanagingwater-relatedrisksandopportunitiesforbusinessstrategyandfinancialplanning•Governanceandengagement-Riskmanagement-Water-relatedrisks•Operatingsustainably-Waterstewardship-OurapproachC3.BusinessstrategyWaterusefromhigh-stressregions•Operatingsustainably-Waterstewardship-Ourapproach-Advancingresponsiblewateruse;Benefitingwatershedsandcommunities-OurwaterreplenishmentprojectsC3.BusinessstrategyTC-IM-130a.2TC-SI-130a.2Integrationofenvironmentalconsiderationsintodatacenterstrategicplanning•Operatingsustainably-Waterstewardship-Ourapproach-Advancingresponsiblewateruse-DatacentersC3.BusinessstrategyTC-IM-130a.3TC-SI-130a.3Interactionswithwaterasasharedresource•Operatingsustainably-Waterstewardship-Ourapproach-BenefitingwatershedsandcommunitiesValuechainengagementonwater-relatedissues•Operatingsustainably-Waterstewardship-Ourapproach-Advancingresponsiblewateruse-SupplychainC12.EngagementEngagementwithexternaltargetsandinitiativesrelatedtowaterstewardship•Operatingsustainably-Waterstewardship-Ourapproach-Benefitingwatershedsandcommunities;Supportingwatersecuritywithtechnology•Workingtogether-Ourapproach-Supportingpartners-Adaptationsupportforcommunities•Governanceandengagement-PartnershipsC12.EngagementGoalsandtargetsWater-relatedtargetsandprogressagainstgoals•Operatingsustainably-Waterstewardship-Ourapproach•Introduction-TargetsandprogresssummaryPerformanceindicatorsWaterconsumption,withdrawal,anddischarge•Introduction-Targetsandprogresssummary•Appendix-EnvironmentaldatatablesTC-IM-130a.2TC-SI-130a.2MATERIALSFrameworksEnvironmentaldisclosurecategoryTopic2023EnvironmentalReportlocationCDPClimateTCFDSASBGovernanceandoversightOurstrategy•Operatingsustainably-CirculareconomyBoardand/ormanagementoversight•Governanceandengagement-SustainabilitygovernanceC1.GovernanceManagementapproachApproachtocirculareconomy•Operatingsustainably-Circulareconomy-OurapproachCircularitythroughoutourdatacenters,products,operations,andworkplaces•Operatingsustainably-Circulareconomy-Ourapproach-Reducingdatacenterwaste;Buildingcircularworkplacesandstores;DesigningmoresustainableconsumerhardwareproductsTC-IM-130a.2TC-SI-130a.2Circularitythroughoutourvaluechain•Operatingsustainably-Circulareconomy-Ourapproach-WorkingwithsuppliersTC-IM-130a.3TC-SI-130a.3Engagementwithexternaltargetsandinitiativesrelatedtocirculareconomy•Workingtogether-Ourapproach-Supportingpartners-Cloudcustomersandcommercialpartners-Responsiblesourcing•Governanceandengagement-Partnerships•Operatingsustainably-Circulareconomy-OurapproachGoalsandtargetsCirculareconomy-relatedtargetsandprogressagainstgoals•Introduction-Targetsandprogresssummary•Operatingsustainably-Circulareconomy-OurapproachIntroductionAppendixEmpoweringindividualsGovernanceandengagementOperatingsustainablyWorkingtogether992023EnvironmentalReportMATERIALSFrameworksEnvironmentaldisclosurecategoryTopic2023EnvironmentalReportlocationCDPClimateTCFDSASBPerformanceindicatorsDatacenterhardwarecomponentsrefurbishedorresold•Operatingsustainably-Circulareconomy-Ourapproach-Reducingdatacenterwaste-ZeroWastetoLandfill•Appendix-EnvironmentaldatatablesLEED-certifiedofficespace•Operatingsustainably-Net-zerocarbon-Ourapproach-Reducingcarbonemissions-Energy-efficientandlow-carbonfacilities-Offices•Appendix-EnvironmentaldatatablesZeroWastetoLandfillprogressandcertifications•Operatingsustainably-Circulareconomy-Ourapproach-Reducingdatacenterwaste-ZeroWastetoLandfill;Workingwithsuppliers-ManufacturingwasteLandfilldiversionrateforofficesanddatacenters•Operatingsustainably-Circulareconomy-Ourapproach-Buildingcircularworkplacesandstores-Workplaceoperations;Reducingdatacenterwaste-ZeroWastetoLandfill•Appendix-EnvironmentaldatatablesFoodwastedivertedfromlandfill•Operatingsustainably-Circulareconomy-Ourapproach-Buildingcircularworkplacesandstores-Workplaceoperations-FoodwasteNATUREANDBIODIVERSITYFrameworksEnvironmentaldisclosurecategoryTopic2023EnvironmentalReportlocationCDPClimateTCFDSASBGovernanceandoversightOurstrategy•Operatingsustainably-NatureandbiodiversityC2.RisksandopportunitiesC3.BusinessstrategyBoardand/ormanagementoversight•Governanceandengagement-SustainabilitygovernanceC1.GovernanceManagementapproachIntegrationofnatureconsiderationsintoourbuildings,operations,andsupplychain•Operatingsustainably-Natureandbiodiversity-Ourapproach-Buildingforbiodiversity-Designingforecology;Bringingnaturebacktocities;SourcingresponsiblyC2.RisksandopportunitiesC3.BusinessstrategyNature-relatedadaptationandmitigationstrategyandactivities•Operatingsustainably-Natureandbiodiversity-Ourapproach-Protectingnatureandmakingitmoreaccessible;Developingtechnologytoaddressbiodiversityloss•Workingtogether-Ourapproach-Supportingpartners-Governmentsandintergovernmentalorganizations-EnvironmentalInsightsExplorer;Adaptationsupportforcommunities;Investinginbreakthroughinnovation-OceanecosystemsC2.RisksandopportunitiesC3.BusinessstrategyApproachtomanagingprogressagainstinternalandexternalnature-relatedtargetsandexpectations•Operatingsustainably-Natureandbiodiversity-OurapproachEngagementwithexternaltargetsandinitiativesrelatedtonatureandbiodiversity•Workingtogether-Ourapproach-Supportingpartners-Governmentsandintergovernmentalorganizations;Researchers,academics,andNGOs•Governanceandengagement-PartnershipsC15.BiodiversityGoalsandtargetsNature-andbiodiversity-relatedtargetsandprogressagainstgoals•Introduction-TargetsandprogresssummaryC15.BiodiversityPerformanceindicatorsNativehabitatrestoredandcreatedonourBayAreacampuses•Operatingsustainably-Natureandbiodiversity-Ourapproach-Buildingforbiodiversity-DesigningforecologyC2.RisksandopportunitiesC3.BusinessstrategyC15.BiodiversityDenotessectionsthatcontainelementsofourclimatetransitionplanIntroductionAppendixEmpoweringindividualsGovernanceandengagementOperatingsustainablyWorkingtogether1002023EnvironmentalReportSUPPLYCHAINFrameworksEnvironmentaldisclosurecategoryTopic2023EnvironmentalReportlocationCDPClimateTCFDSASBGovernanceandoversightOurstrategy•Operatingsustainably-Ouroperations;Net-zerocarbon-Reducingcarbonemissions-SupplierengagementC12.EngagementBoardand/ormanagementoversight•GovernanceandengagementC12.EngagementManagementapproachApproachtosupplychainriskenvironmentalassessmentsandaudits•Governanceandengagement-Stakeholderengagement-SupplierengagementIntegrationofenvironmentalfactorswithinprocurementpoliciesandsuppliercontracts•Operatingsustainably-Net-zerocarbon-Ourapproach-Reducingcarbonemissions-Supplierengagement•Governanceandengagement-RiskmanagementC12.EngagementApproachtosuppliercapacitybuilding,training,andcorrectiveactionplans•Operatingsustainably-Net-zerocarbon-Ourapproach-Reducingcarbonemissions-Supplierengagement;Circulareconomy-Ourapproach-Workingwithsuppliers-Saferchemistry•Governanceandengagement-Riskmanagement;Stakeholderengagement-SupplierengagementEngagementwithexternaltargetsandinitiativesrelatedtosustainablesupplychains•Workingtogether-Ourapproach-Supportingpartners-Cloudcustomersandcommercialpartners•Governanceandengagement-PartnershipsC12.EngagementGoalsandtargetsSupplierenvironmentalassessment-relatedtargets•Introduction-Targetsandprogresssummary•Operatingsustainably-Circulareconomy-Ourapproach-WorkingwithsuppliersPerformanceindicatorsNewsuppliersthatwerescreenedusingenvironmentalcriteria•Governanceandengagement-RiskmanagementC12.EngagementSupplierrenewableenergy•Operatingsustainably-Net-zerocarbon-Ourapproach-Advancingcarbon-freeenergy-CFEinvestmentsC2.RisksandopportunitiesNegativeenvironmentalimpactsinthesupplychainandactionstaken•Operatingsustainably-Circulareconomy-Supplychain•Governanceandengagement-RiskmanagementDenotessectionsthatcontainelementsofourclimatetransitionplanIntroductionAppendixEmpoweringindividualsGovernanceandengagementOperatingsustainablyWorkingtogether1012023EnvironmentalReportEndnotes1Throughoutthisreport,weusetheterm“sustainability”torefertoenvironmentalsustainability.2Ourpartnersincludegovernmentsandintergovernmentalorganizations;customersandcommercialpartners;andresearchers,academics,andnon-governmentalorganizations.3Googleusesahigh-qualityMLpredictionmodeltoestimatetheexpectedfuelorenergyconsumptionforeachrouteoptionwhenusersrequestdrivingdirections.Weidentifytheroutethatwepredictwillconsumetheleastamountoffuelorenergy.Ifthisrouteisn’talreadythefastestoneanditoffersmeaningfulenergyandfuelsavingswithonlyasmallincreaseindrivingtime,werecommendittotheuser.Tocalculateenabledemissionsreductions,wetallythefuelusagefromthechosenfuel-efficientroutesandsubtractitfromthepredictedfuelconsumptionthatwouldhaveoccurredonthefastestroutewithouteco-friendlyroutingandapplyadjustmentsforfactorssuchas:CO2efactors,fleetfactors,well-to-wheelsfactors,andpowertrainmismatchfactors.WetheninputtheestimatedpreventedemissionsintotheEPA’sGreenhouseGasEquivalenciesCalculatortocalculateequivalentcarsofftheroadforayear.The2022figurecoversestimatedemissionspreventedaftereco-friendlyroutingwaslaunched,fromOctober2021throughDecember2022.Enabledemissionsreductionsestimatesincludeinherentuncertaintyduetofactorsthatincludethelackofprimarydataandpreciseinformationaboutreal-worldactionsandtheireffects.Thesefactorscontributetoarangeofpossibleoutcomes,withinwhichwereportacentralvalue.4Thisestimatedspendisbasedoncontractssignedtopurchasecleanenergyforouroperations.Actualspendmayvaryfromtheseestimatesbasedonchangesinrenewableelectricityoutputfromoperationalprojects,thenumberofcontractssigned,andenergymarketprices.5Seeendnote3above.6Estimatedenergysavingsarecalculatedbasedonthetypicalpercentageofheatingandcoolingsavingsfoundinreal-worldstudiesoftheNestLearningThermostat.TocalculatethetotalNestsavings,weapplythesesavingspercentagestotheactualheatingandcoolinghoursofallNestthermostats.7“Portugal-Countries&Regions,”IEA,2021.8Theenabledemissionsreductionsarecalculatedbasedontheseenergysavings,applyingstandardemissionfactorsforfossilfuels,andusingU.S.EPAAVERTmarginalemissionsforthe95%ofelectricitysavingsthatoccurintheU.S.,withanadjustedvalueforthe5%ofelectricitysavingsoutsidetheU.S.9Forproductslaunchedin2022:Pixel,Nest,andChromecastdevicesaremadewithrecycledmaterialsrangingbetween9%and60%basedonrespectiveproductweights.10Unique,signed-inGoogleusersthatwereprovidedinformationtomakeamoresustainablechoicebyatleastonesustainableproductfeature.11Duetoamethodologychange,we’renotreportingapercentprogresstowardsthistargetandhaveinsteadprovidedourtotalGHGemissions(Scope1,2(market-based),and3)in2022.12In2022,weexpandedourcarbon-freeenergyreportingfromonlyGoogle-ownedand-operateddatacenterstoalsoincorporateofficesandthird-partydatacenters.The2022datacenterCFEnumberrepresentsa2%changefrom2021(66%CFE),asaresultofincludingthird-partydatacenters.13BasedonGoogleTrendsdataasofDecember2022,whencomparingglobalGoogleSearchinterestsince2004.14Seeendnote3above.15Seeendnote6above.16Seeendnote7above.17Seeendnote8above.18BasedonGoogle’sanalysisoftrafficpatternsbeforeandafterrecommendedadjustmentstotrafficsignalsthatwereimplementedduringtestsconductedin2022.19AccordingtoGoogle’sownanalysisofourmoreefficientservers,powerinfrastructure,andcoolingsystems,comparedwithdatacenterindustryaverages.20AccordingtoGoogle’splatform-neutralmeasurementforcentralprocessingunit(CPU)resourcesanalyzedoverafive-yearperiod.21Formoreinformationonhowwe’rereducingtheenvironmentalfootprintofouroperations,seetheOperatingsustainablysection.22“Japan’sGreenhouseGasEmissionsRose2%inFY21/22asEconomyRecovered,”Reuters,April2023.23Seeendnote13above.24“NetZeroby2050-ARoadmapfortheGlobalEnergySector,”IEA,October2021.25“CO2andGreenhouseGasEmissions,”OurWorldInData.org,2020.26BasedonGoogleTrendsdataasofDecember2022,whencomparingglobalGoogleSearchinterestsince2013.27Seeendnote13above.28Seeendnote6above.29Seeendnote7above.30Seeendnote8above.31Seeendnote6above.32NestRenewEnergyShiftusagereflectsthetotalnumberofhoursthermostatsenrolledinNestRenewranEnergyShiftfeaturestoprioritizecleanerorcheaperenergyduring2022.33NestRenewusersincludeanyoneinthecontinentalU.S.witha3rdgenerationNestLearningThermostat,theNestThermostatE,orthenewestNestThermostatconnectedtoaGoogleaccount.34Seeendnote6above.35BasedonGoogleTrendsdataasofDecember2022,whencomparingglobalGoogleSearchinterestsince2008.36Seeendnote13above.37Seeendnote35above.38“Transport:ImprovingtheSustainabilityofPassengerandFreightTransport,”IEA,2022.39BasedonGoogleTrendsdataasofApril2023,whencomparingglobalGoogleSearchinterestfromApril2022–April2023tothatofApril2021–April2022.40Seeendnote3above.41“GlobalEVOutlook2023Abstract,”IEA,April2023.42Seeendnote13above.43BasedonGoogleTrendsdataasofApril2023,whencomparingglobalGoogleSearchinterestfromApril2020–April2023tothatofApril2017–April2020.44Seeendnote13above.45BasedonGoogleTrendsdataasofApril2023,whencomparingglobalGoogleSearchinterestsince2004.46Seeendnote35above.47Seeendnote43above.48Seeendnote35above.49“MeasuringFashion:EnvironmentalImpactoftheGlobalApparelandFootwearIndustriesStudy,”Quantis,2018.50“DigitalTransformation,”UNEP,April2022.51“DigitalDecarbonisation:HowtheDigitalSectorisSupportingClimateAction,”ImplementConsultingGroup,2022.52“68%oftheWorldPopulationProjectedtoLiveinUrbanAreasby2050,SaysUN,”UnitedNationsDepartmentofEconomicandSocialAffairs,May2018.53SDGIndicators,UnitedNations:Unstats,2022.54“IzmirSustainableEnergyClimateActionPlan,”AECOM,2020.55Seeendnote18above.56“SpreadingLikeWildfire:TheRisingThreatofExtraordinaryLandscapeFires,”UNEP,2022.57Our“DeepLearningforHigh-ResolutionWildfireModeling”researchwaspresentedatthe2022InternationalConferenceforForestFireResearch.58“Numberofdeathsduetofloodsworldwidefrom1960to2020,”Statista,April2023.59“PartneringwithMemberStates,”UNEP,2021.60PitneyBowesParcelShippingIndex,2021.61“RetailSpeaks,”McKinsey&Company,2021.62“FeasibilityofAfforestationasanEquitableNature-BasedSolutioninUrbanAreas,”SustainableCitiesandSociety,vol.81,June2022.63BasedonGoogleTrendsdataasofDecember2022,whencomparingglobalGoogleSearchinterestin2022tothatof2021.64Seeendnote35above.65Someofourlocationshavemorethanonedatacentercampus,andothersweren’tyetoperationalduring2022.66“ClimateChange2022:Impacts,AdaptationandVulnerabilityWorkingGroupIIContributiontotheSixthAssessmentReportoftheIntergovernmentalPanelonClimateChange,”IPCC,2022.67“ClimateCommitmentsNotOnTracktoMeetParisAgreementGoalsasNDCSynthesisReportisPublished,”UnitedNationsClimateChange,February2021.68“IsCarbonCaptureTooExpensive?”IEA,February2021.69SeetheEnvironmentaldatatablesforCarbonintensityperunitofrevenuefor2022(9.13tCO2e/millionU.S.$).Our2011carbonintensityfactorwasreportedinpriorEnvironmentalReportsas38.8(tCO2eofgrossglobalcombinedScope1andmarket-basedScope2emissions/millionU.S.$).70Thisthird-partyprojectionisbasedona2020whole-buildingLCA,followingtheLEEDv4BuildingLifeCycleImpactReductionrequirements.TheinteriordesignwasnotfactoredintothisLCA.71RefrigerantsusedinHVACandrefrigerationequipmentareoftensyntheticcompoundscommonlyreferredtoassuperpollutantsbecausetheirglobalwarmingpotentialissignificantlyhigherthanotherGHGslikecarbondioxide.72“TheCarbonFootprintofMachineLearningTrainingWillPlateau,ThenShrink,”Computer,vol.55,July2022.73Seeendnote20above.74Seeendnote19above.75Seeendnote20above.76PUEisastandardindustryratiothatcomparestheamountofnon-computingoverheadenergy(usedforthingslikecoolingandpowerdistribution)totheamountofenergyusedtopowerITequipment.APUEof2.0meansthatforeverywattofITpower,anadditionalwattisconsumedtocoolanddistributepowertotheITequipment.APUEcloserto1.0meansnearlyalltheenergyisusedforcomputing.77AccordingtotheUptimeInstitute’s2022GlobalDataCenterSurvey,theglobalaveragePUEofrespondents’datacenterswasaround1.55.78Seeendnote19above.79Trailing12-monthPUEconsistsoftheaveragePUEfortheprevious12months.80DatafromreportedportsforChargePointstationsintheUnitedStatesandCanadaonlyareusedtoestimateemissionspreventedfromemployeeEVcommuting.81BasedondatacollectedfromshuttlecommutingtripsintheBayArea,ascomparedtoascenarioinwhichtheseemployeeshadeachusedaprivate,fuel-basedcarforcommuting.AssumptionsincludeaverageGooglercommutedistance,milespergallonassumptionsfromtheBureauofTransportation,andemissionspergallonoffuelassumptionsfromtheGreenhouseGasProtocol.Equivalencyestimateisbasedonworkdaysintheyear,usingdatafrom“GreenhouseGasEquivalenciesCalculator,”U.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgency,accessed2022.82Seeendnote81above.83Carbon-freeenergyisanytypeofelectricitygenerationthatdoesn’tdirectlyemitcarbondioxide,including(butnotlimitedto)solar,wind,geothermal,hydropower,andnuclear.Sustainablebiomassandcarboncaptureandstorage(CCS)arespecialcasesconsideredonacase-by-casebasis,butareoftenalsoconsideredcarbon-freeenergysources.84Alphabet’srenewableenergymethodologyisacustomcalculationandisbasedonaglobalapproach.Percentageofrenewableenergyiscalculatedonacalendar-yearbasis,dividingthevolumeofrenewableelectricity(inmegawatt-hours)procuredforourglobaloperations(i.e.,renewableenergyprocuredthroughourPPAcontracts,on-siterenewableenergygeneration,andrenewableenergyintheelectricgridswhereourfacilitiesarelocated)bythetotalvolumeofelectricityconsumedbyourglobaloperations.Thenumeratorincludesallrenewableenergyprocured,regardlessofthemarketinwhichtherenewableenergywasconsumed.AdditionaldetailsonAlphabet’scriteriaandmethodologycanbefoundinthe“AchievingOur100%RenewableEnergyPurchasingGoalandGoingBeyond”disclosure.85Forexample,researchbyPrincetonUniversityandTUBerlinhasshownthathourly(24/7)carbon-freeenergygoalshaveagreaterimpactongrid-leveldecarbonizationthantheprevailingapproachof100%annualrenewableenergymatching.86Seeendnote4above.87Seeendnote4above.88“GreenhouseGasEquivalenciesCalculator,”EPA,accessed2022.89OurCFEpercentagemeasuresthedegreetowhichourelectricityconsumptiononagivenregionalgridismatchedwithCFEonanhourlybasis.ThisiscalculatedusingbothCFEundercontractbyGoogleaswellasCFEcomingfromtheoverallgridmix.CFEcomingfromtheoverallgridmixisbasedondataobtainedfromathirdparty,ElectricityMaps,andhasnotbeenassured.Formoreinformation,seeour2021whitepaper,“24/7Carbon-FreeEnergy:MethodologiesandMetrics.”90Agridregion(orregionalgrid)correspondstotheareaoverwhichasingleentitymanagestheoperationoftheelectricpowersystemandensuresthatdemandandsupplyarefinelybalanced.IntheUnitedStates,thisgenerallymeanstheISOorRTOinregionsthathavetheseregionalIntroductionAppendixEmpoweringindividualsGovernanceandengagementOperatingsustainablyWorkingtogether1022023EnvironmentalReportmarketstructures.Ifnosuchstructureexists,thenGoogledefinesthegridregionastheelectricity-balancingauthoritywhereourdatacentersarelocated.OutsideoftheUnitedStates,thegridregionmostoftenreferstothegeographicboundaryofacountry,becausemostgridsystemoperatorsoperateatthenationallevel.Certainregionsthatspanmultiplecountriesarewellinterconnectedandcouldbeconsideredasonegrid;however,ourgridmixcalculationsalreadyincludeimportandexportconsiderationsandthereforetakeintoaccountpowerflowsfromneighboringgrids.Inthefuture,wemayupdateourdefinitionasweworkwithgridoperatorstobetterunderstandhowtransmissionconstraintsorcongestionimpactCFEmeasurementwithinandacrossgridregions.91ContractedCFEisthehourlyelectricityproductionfromcleanenergyprojectswhoseelectricityandassociatedenvironmentalattributesarecontractedtoGoogleviapowerpurchaseagreements,retailenergysupplyarrangements,orothercontractualstructures.See“24/7Carbon-FreeEnergy:MethodologiesandMetrics”formoredetails.92“WhyDidRenewablesBecomesoCheapsoFast?”OurWorldinData,December2020.93Seeendnote13above.94“HowtheTechSectorCanDriveRenewableEnergyOpportunitiesinAPAC,”ENGIEImpact,accessed2023.95“ClimateChange2022:MitigationofClimateChangeSummaryforPolicymakers,”IPCC,2022.96“TurningtheTide,”GlobalCommissionontheEconomicsofWater,2023.97Wedefinefreshwaterasnaturallyoccurringwaterfromsurfaceorgroundwatersourcesthatisn’tsalty,andissuitableforconsumptionifcleanorprocessed.Freshwaterexcludesseawaterandreclaimedwastewater.98BasedontheaverageannualirrigationofgolfcoursesinthesouthwestU.S.of459acre-ftoraround150milliongallons.Source:“HowMuchWaterDoesGolfUseandWhereDoesItComeFrom?”U.S.GolfAssociation,2012.99BasedontheWRIAqueductWaterRiskAtlastool,wedefine“highwaterstress”asareaswithhighorextremelyhighoverallwaterstress,and“lowwaterstress”asareaswithlow,low-medium,ormedium-highoverallwaterstress.100AccordingtoGoogle’sownanalysisofourdatacenterenergyuseandcarbonemissionsin2021.101Wecontractedathird-partytoquantifyvolumetricbenefitsbyapplyingindustrystandardmethodologiesanddefensibledataandassumptions.102Seeendnote101above.103Seeendnote35above.104Seeendnote63above.105“EarthOvershootDay,”GlobalFootprintNetwork,2023.106“TheCircularEconomyCouldUnlock$4.5TrillionofEconomicGrowth,FindsNewBookbyAccenture,”Accenture,2015.107“HowtheCircularEconomyTacklesClimateChange,”EllenMacArthurFoundation,2021.108“BuildingaWorldFreefromWasteandPollution,”EllenMacArthurFoundation,2021.109“CircularEconomyofConstructionandDemolitionWaste:ALiteratureReviewonLessons,Challenges,andBenefits,”NIHNationalLibraryofMedicine,2021.110We’veassessedcontaminationratesforourrecyclingandcompostingstreamsandremovedthemfromourcalculation.Thiscontrastswithourhistoricalmethodologyandtheindustrystandarddiversionrate,whichassumesthatanythingplacedinrecyclingorcompostbinshaszerocontamination.111BasedonGoogleTrendsdataasofApril2023,whencomparingglobalGoogleSearchinterestfromApril2018–April2023tothatofApril2013–April2018.112Seeendnote35above.113“ImportanceofMethane,”EPA,2021.114PercentreductioninfoodwasteperGooglerwascalculatedasfoodwastegeneratedinkitchensandcafesatGoogle’sglobalofficesperuniquebadgeswipes,againsta2019baseline.115“AWhopping91PercentofPlasticIsn’tRecycled,”NationalGeographic,December2018.116UL110andIEEE1680.1aremulti-attribute,consensus-basedsustainabilitystandardsformobilephonesandforcomputersanddisplays,respectively.Googleusesathirdpartytovalidateconformanceandindependentlycertifytothesestandards.SeeULSpotDatabase.117Carbonfootprintreductionclaimbasedonthird-partyverifiedlifecycleassessment.Recycledaluminumintheenclosuresisatleast9%ofapplicableproductbasedonweight.118Doesn’tincludethird-partyproductssuchastheNestxYaleLock.119Forproductslaunchedin2020and2021:Nest,Pixel,andChromecastdevicesaremadewithrecycledplasticrangingbetween9%and68%basedonweightofplasticusedineachrespectiveproductlaunchedduringthistimeframe.Thefollowingitemsareexcluded:plasticsinprintedcircuitboards,labels,cables,connectors,electroniccomponentsandmodules,opticalcomponents,electrostaticdischarge(ESD)components,electromagneticinterference(EMI)components,films,coatingsandadhesives.Forproductslaunchedin2022:Pixel,Nest,andChromecastdevicesaremadewithrecycledmaterialsrangingbetween9%and60%basedonrespectiveproductweights.120Basedontotalplasticweightof(A)GooglePixel,Nest,andChromecastproductsmanufacturedin2022and(B)Fitbitproductslaunchedandmanufacturedin2022.IncludesU.S.configurationofin-boxaccessoriesbutdoesnotincludestandaloneaccessoryproductsotherthanPixelphonecases,andPixelWatchActive,Stretch,andWovenbands.Thisdoesnotincludeplasticsinprintedcircuitboards,labels,cables,connectors,electroniccomponentsandmodules,opticalcomponents,electrostaticdischarge(ESD)components,electromagneticinterference(EMI)components,films,coatings,andadhesives.121BasedontotalweightofnewGooglePixel,Nest,Chromecast,andFitbitproductslaunchedandmanufacturedin2022,includingU.S.configurationofin-boxaccessories.DoesnotincludestandaloneaccessoryproductsotherthanPixelphonecases,andPixelWatchActive,Stretch,andWovenbands.122Carbonfootprintreductionclaimbasedonthird-party-verifiedlifecycleassessment.Recycledaluminumintheenclosuresisatleast9%ofapplicableproductbasedonweight.123Seeendnote122above.124Seeendnote120above.125Thefollowingmaybeexcludedfromthecalculationofpercentage:printedcircuitboards,labels,cables,connectors,electroniccomponentsandmodules,opticalcomponents,electrostaticdischargecomponents,electromagneticinterferencecomponents,films,coatings,andadhesives.Renewablecontentconsistsofplasticmadefrombio-basedmaterial.Doesnotincludethird-partyproductssuchastheNestxYaleLock.126BasedontotalweightofnewGooglePixel,Nest,Chromecast,andFitbitretailpackaging(excludingadhesivematerials)forproductslaunchedandmanufacturedin2022,asshippedbyGoogle.Duetoglobalvariationsinpackaging,U.S.retailpackagingdataisusedforourreporting.Tomeettherequestofsomeclients,plasticstickersareappliedtosomepackagingvariations.Doesn’tincludestand-aloneaccessoryproductsotherthanPixelphonecases,andPixelWatchActive,Stretch,andWovenbands.127BasedonU.S.retailpackagingweightwithadhesivematerialsexcluded.Tomeettherequestofsomeclients,plasticstickersareappliedtosomepackagingvariations.128Seeendnote127above.129Seeendnote126above.130SeeLearnwhenyou’llgetsoftwareupdatesonGooglePixelphonesformoredetails.131Weofferfreerecyclingforeligibleproductsfromanybrand.LearnmoreaboutGoogle’srecyclingprogramonoursite.132LearnmoreaboutUL2799ZeroWastetoLandfillcertification.133Seeendnote108above.134“AWarningSign:WhereBiodiversityLossIsHappeningAroundtheWorld,”WorldWildlifeFund,2021.135Seeendnote134above.136“FromSavannatoSuburb:Effectsof160YearsofLandscapeChangeonCarbonStorageinSiliconValley,California,”LandscapeandUrbanPlanning,vol.195,March2020.137“CharlestonRetentionBasinImprovementProject,”CaliforniaEnvironmentalQualityAct,accessed2023.138“WesternMonarchThanksgivingCountTalliesOver330,000ButterfliesBeforeStormsBatterOverwinteringSites,”XercesSociety,2023.139Seeendnote13above.140“ReduceUrbanHeatIslandEffect,”EPA,May2019.141ThepercentageofFSC-certifiedwoodusedatBayViewandCharlestonEastiscalculatedbasedonmaterialcostsfornewwoodpurchasedfortheseprojectsduringconstruction.142Seeendnote141above.143“ParisAgreement,”UNFCCC,2015.144“SummaryforPolicymakersofIPCCSpecialReportonGlobalWarmingof1.5°CApprovedbyGovernments,”IPCC,2018.145“SixthAssessmentReport,”IPCC,2019.146AllreportedScope1GHGemissions,Scope2GHGemissions,andbiogenicemissionsvaluesareroundedtothenearesthundred.AllreportedScope3emissionsvaluesareroundedtothenearestthousand.147In2022,weincludedestimatesforhydrofluorocarbon(HFC)emissionsresultingfromtheleakageofrefrigerantsfromcoolingequipmentatourofficesanddatacentersinourScope1emissions.Wehavenotupdatedprioryearstoincludeestimatedrefrigerantemissions.148OurScope2market-basedemissionsincreased37%,primarilyduetoincreaseddatacenterelectricityconsumptionandalackoffullregionalcoverageofrenewableenergyprocurementintheUnitedStatesandAsiaPacificregions.149CertainCategory1:“Purchasedgoodsandservices”emissionsarepresentedinCategory2:“Capitalgoods.”SeetheMethodologysectionformoredetails.150In2022,weupdatedourScope3Category7:“Employeecommuting”methodologytoestimateadditionalmodesoftransportationduetotheavailabilityofnewdatasources.SeetheMethodologysectionformoredetails.151WepresentcertainScope3emissionsfromCategory1,Category2,Category11,andCategory12asanaggregatedsubtotal“Othercategories”forbusinessreasons,asdescribedfurtherintheMethodologysection.152OtherGHGs,includingperfluorocarbons(PFCs),sulfurhexafluoride(SF6),andnitrogentrifluoride(NF3),arenotincludedinourinventory,asthey’renotemittedasaresultofouroperations.153“Totalrenewableenergyallocated”includesthetotalamountofrenewableelectricitygenerationconveyedviacontractualinstruments,whichhavebeenusedinthecalculationofScope2market-basedemissionspertheGreenhouseGasProtocolScope2QualityCriteria.154Reportedenergyvalues(inMWorMWh)areroundedtothenearest100.155“Purchasedelectricity”iselectricitysourcedfromanelectricalgridandpurchasedfromalocalelectricutilitycompany.Thismetricdiffersslightlyfrom“Totalelectricityconsumption,”whichincludesbothpurchasedandself-generatedelectricity.156Seeendnote155above.157SeetheMethodologysectionforanoverviewofour“percentageofelectricityprocuredfromrenewablesources”calculation.158WereportindividualcampusPUEonlyforcampuseswithatleasttwelvemonthsofdata.AllreportedPUEvaluesareroundedtothehundredthsplace.159Seeendnote76above.160Seeendnote89above.161Seeendnote12above.162Seeendnote90above.163Seeendnote90above.164Reportedwastegeneratedvaluesareroundedtothenearesthundred.165Landfilldiversioniscalculatedaswastedivertedtoamoresustainablepathwaythanlandfill,asapercentageoftotalwaste.Startingin2022,we’veupdatedourlandfilldiversionratemethodologyforourofficeoperationsbyremovingcontaminationfromourrecyclingandcompoststreams,providingamoreaccuraterepresentationoflandfillavoidance,andsupportingoureffortstomaintainhigh-qualitydivertedmaterials.166Weexpandedthisdatacenterhardwarerefurbishmentkeyperformanceindicatorfromincludingonlydecommissionedpartsthatwerereusedforservermaintenancetoalsoincludingotherrefurbishedparttypesreusedforservermaintenanceaswellasserverdeploymentandupgrades.ThischangemoreaccuratelyreflectsGoogle’sapproachtodatacentermaterialreuse.167Allreportedwatervaluesareroundedtothenearesthundredthousandgallonsandreportedinmilliongallons.168In2019,wealignedourwaterreportingwithindustrystandardstodisclosethreewaterindicators:totalwaterwithdrawal,consumption,anddischarge.Datafortotalwaterconsumptionandtotalwaterdischargeisnotavailableforprioryears.Ourreportedwatermetricsdon’tincludeseawater.169Wecontractedathirdpartytoquantifyvolumetricbenefitsbyapplyingindustrystandardmethodologiesanddefensibledataandassumptions.SeetheBenefitingwatershedsandcommunitiessectionformoredetails.170Ourreportedwatermetricsdon’tincludeseawater.Allreportedwatervaluesareroundedtothenearesthundredthousandgallonsandreportedinmilliongallons.171TreatedwastewaterfromtheSweetwaterCreekSidestreamReuseFacility.172Air-cooledfacility;nowaterusedforcooling.173IndustrialwatersuppliedbyNorthWater.174Seeendnote98above.175Seeendnote170above.176WaterdrawnfromtheNimy-Blaton-Peronnesshippingcanalandtreatedon-site.177Seeendnote172above.178Seeendnote98above.IntroductionAppendixEmpoweringindividualsGovernanceandengagementOperatingsustainablyWorkingtogether1032023EnvironmentalReportGlossaryAI:artificialintelligenceBayView:ourBayViewcampusinMountainView,CaliforniaCDP:formerlyknownastheCarbonDisclosureProjectCDR:carbondioxideremovalCFE:carbon-freeenergyCO2e:carbondioxideequivalentEIE:EnvironmentalInsightsExplorerEPA:U.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgencyESG:environmental,socialandgovernanceEV:electricvehicleft:footFSC:ForestStewardshipCouncilGHG:greenhousegasGHGP:GreenhouseGasProtocolGT:gigatonGW:gigawattGWP:globalwarmingpotentialIEA:InternationalEnergyAgencyILFI:InternationalLivingFutureInstituteIPCC:IntergovernmentalPanelonClimateChangeISO:InternationalOrganizationforStandardizationkg:kilogramkm:kilometerkWh:kilowatt-hourlb:poundLBC:LivingBuildingChallengeLCA:lifecycleassessmentLEED:LeadershipinEnergyandEnvironmentalDesignm:meterML:machinelearningMW:megawattMWh:megawatt-hourNGO:non-governmentalorganizationPPA:powerpurchaseagreementPUE:powerusageeffectivenessSDGs:SustainableDevelopmentGoalstCO2e:metrictonsofcarbondioxideequivalentTCFD:TaskForceonClimate-RelatedFinancialDisclosuresTWh:terawatt-hourWBCSD:WorldBusinessCouncilforSustainableDevelopmentWRI:WorldResourcesInstituteUNEP:UnitedNationsEnvironmentProgrammeUNFCC:UnitedNationsFrameworkConventiononClimateChangeX:Alphabet’s“moonshotfactory”PhotodetailsOnthecover:GoogleEarthimageofSoalala,Madagascar©2015DigitalGlobeTableofcontents:NortherOffshorewindfarminBelgium(92MWforGoogle)Introduction:GooglersinacourtyardatournewcampusinMountainView,California.AletterfromourChiefSustainabilityOfficer:PhotobyVaughnRidley/SportsfileforWebSummitviaGettyImagesEmpoweringindividuals:AparkinglotfullofelectricvehicleslinedupoutsideaGoogleoffice,pluggedintochargingstations.Workingtogether:Satellite-derivedEarthEngineimageshowingseasonalagriculturalpeaksneartheColumbiaandSnakeRiversinWashingtonstate.Theperfectlyroundfieldsarecenterpivotirrigatedcornandwheatmaturingindifferentmonths.Datasource:Landsat8,U.S.GeologicalSurvey.Operatingsustainably:AviewofourBayViewcampuswiththeeventscenterintheforegroundandaGooglebrandmarksculpture.(Photo:IwanBaan)Net-zerocarbon:GoldenHillswindfarminCalifornia(43MWforGoogle)Waterstewardship:OurBayViewcampus,asseenfromacrossitsstormwaterretentionpond.(Photo:IwanBaan)Circulareconomy:Acloseupofmanysmall,brokencircuitboardsinapile.Ourapproachtocircularityfordatacenterequipmentistomaintaincomponentsforaslongaspossible,refurbishcomponentsforfuturereuse,reuseorresellcomponentsfollowingarigoroussecurityprocess,andrecycleanycomponentsthatcan’tbereused.Natureandbiodiversity:ThedesignoftheCharlestonRetentionBasinonourMountainViewCampusallowsvisitorstoexperience,learnabout,andenjoytheexpandedriparianhabitat.Governanceandengagement:Googlerscollaborateinacommonspaceinoneofouroffices.Appendix:Abright,colorfulwallinaGoogleoffice.IntroductionAppendixEmpoweringindividualsGovernanceandengagementOperatingsustainablyWorkingtogetherEnvironmentalReport2023Wanttolearnmoreaboutourlatestefforts?Tostayuptodateonournewsandprogress,seeourSustainabilityblog.Publicationdate:July2023