Google Hires Head of Sustainability for Asia Pacific Region: 3 Things to Know

Google has hired SATS veteran Spencer Low as head of sustainability for the Asia Pacific (APAC) region, according to his LinkedIn bio. Here are three things to know about Low and Google's sustainability strategy.

1. Business Scope and Scale: Google's APAC revenues were roughly $13.3 billion in Q1 of 2024, up from $11.7 billion in Q1 of 2023, according to an April 2024 earnings announcement. The company's global search and other revenues grew 14% year-on-year, "led again by solid growth in the retail vertical, with particular strength from APAC-based retailers, which began in the second quarter of 2023," Philipp Schindler, senior VP & chief business officer, said during the April 2024 earnings call.

Google is seeking to expand all revenue sources in the Asian market, including cloud computing services, hardware sales such as smartphones, and its mainstay online advertising, Nikkei reported in October 2023. Still, Google doesn't offer numerous services in mainland China because of Internet censorship and cyberattack concerns, the article noted.

2. Sustainability Strategy: Google, owned by Alphabet, is striving to achieve net zero emissions across all operations and value chain by 2030. At the same time, Google Cloud's goal is to run on carbon-free energy, 24/7, across all data centers by 2030. The overall effort includes cloud-centric sustainability partnerships. Google's overall net zero efforts are led by Chief Sustainability Officer Kate Brandt.

We'll be watching to see if or how Low fine-tunes Google's sustainability strategy for the Asia Pacific market. It's a safe bet Low will help Google to align artificial intelligence with sustainability in Asia, according to Eco Business.

3. Spencer Low's Focus and Experience: Low joined Google as head of sustainability for the Asia Pacific (APAC) region in March 2024, according to his LinkedIn bio. The bio states: "Member of the Global Sustainability Team (GST) that drives the development and implementation of Google’s global sustainability strategy to further empower action, ensure alignment and prioritization, identify new leadership opportunities, and mitigate risks. The GST leads sustainability strategy and programs on carbon, circular economy, water, product integration, reporting, and employee engagement, while serving as a sustainability leadership advocate internally and externally."

Low previously was CSO at SATS, a provider of food solutions and gateway services to airlines in Asia. The company acquired air cargo logistics specialist Worldwide Flight Services in April 2023. The combined business has 45,000 employees.

Asia Pacific Head of Sustainability: Why Google Partners Should Care

By 2027, 25% of Global 2000 companies will have assigned a chief sustainability officer (CSO) responsible for meeting their organization’s ESG goals and making ESG-related IT purchasing decisions, according to IDC.

It's a safe bet that figure will be even higher for state and local governments -- many of which are embracing renewable energy and sustainability strategies. For instance, the Sustainable States Network spans 2,524 U.S. municipalities that put sustainability on their policy agendas and collectively take action to improve the environment, quality of life, and local economies.

Technology partners need to extend their sales, marketing, engagement and support strategies to successfully fulfill those municipality needs, Sustainable Tech Partner believes.