Google Sustainability News, Milestones, Cloud Partnerships and Net Zero Timeline

Here are additional Google sustainability strategy updates, and the associated partner implications.

November 2024: Sustainability Strategy Updates

• Nuclear Power - Data Centers: Nuclear startup Kairos Power has received approval from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission to start construction on two test reactors in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, TechCrunch reported. The permit marks a significant milestone for Kairos, which in October 2024 inked a deal with Google to provide 500 megawatts of electricity for its data centers, the report noted. Related Timeline: Will nuclear energy power AI data centers?
• Air Quality Software: Google has unveiled Air View+, which displays real-time hyperlocal air quality information in Google Maps for users across India.
• Partnership - AI and Quantum Processors: Nvidia and Google are partnering to design quantum artificial intelligence processors.
• Request for Information: The Net Zero Innovation Hub (NZIH) has launched a Request for Information (RFI) that seeks net zero data center backup power solutions in Europe. The hub --launched by Danfoss, Data4, Google, Microsoft, Schneider Electric and Vertiv -- seeks to "accelerate the deployment of innovative solutions which can substitute diesel back-up generators."
• Cloud Partner: Blyncsy, a Bentley Systems company, has achieved the Google Cloud Ready - Sustainability designation in the Google Cloud Partner Advantage Program.  Blyncsy develops road maintenance and asset inventory technology. The software automates U.S. roadway inspections using crowdsourced dash camera imagery combined with AI analytics.

October 2024 Updates

• Refurbished Smartphones: The Google Store now sells certified refurbished Pixel smartphones.
• Accelerator: Google has launched it first Google for Startups Accelerator: AI First MENA and Turkey. Several of the cohort members -- including Biliki.AI, Egrobots, Forest Hero, FortyGuard, VAIS -- focus on climate tech and/or sustainability opportunities.
• Texas Solar Energy Project: One of the largest solar projects in the U.S. opened in Texas, backed by what Google said is the largest solar electricity purchase it has ever made, the Associated Press reported.
• AI Cloud Services: Google Cloud is testing servers running on Nvidia's Blackwell line. The Google Cloud-Blackwell statement arrived roughly one week after Microsoft Azure claimed to be the first cloud running Blackwell on production systems.
• Nuclear Power: Google has partnered with Kairos Power to deploy small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs) to support its 24/7 carbon-free energy targets by 2035.
• United States - Data Center Energy Payment Debate: A showdown involving Big Tech companies -- such as Amazon, Google, Meta and Microsoft -- vs. an Ohio utility could shape the way data center companies pay for power across the United States, Reuters reported. AEP Ohio wants data centers and cryptocurrency miners to provide pre-payments and other financial assurances for their massive energy needs, the report said. Data center businesses are battling that proposal.
• Data Centers - Nuclear Power: Google may tap nuclear energy to power its data centers, CEO Sundar Pichai told Nikkei Asia. The report reinforces growing global chatter about nuclear power for cloud service providers and data centers.

September 2024: Sustainability Strategy Updates

• Carbon Credits: Google plans to purchase nature-based carbon removal credits from Mombak -- a Brazilian startup, Reuters reported. This is Google's first engagement with carbon projects in the South American country, the report said.
• Data Center Reset: Google will rework from scratch its plans to build a $200 million data center in Santiago, Chile, amid various environmental impact concerns, Reuters reported.
• Direct Air Capture Deal: Google plans to purchase carbon removal credits from direct air capture (DAC) provider Holocene, the search giant announced.
• Seed Fund: Google.org, the philanthropic arm of Google, has provided a US$5 million grant to the APAC Sustainability Seed Fund 2.0.

August 2024: Sustainability Strategy Updates

• Data Center Setback: Ireland has rejected Google's plan to build a data center just outside Dublin because Google's plan fails to meet some of Ireland’s sustainability requirements, Bloomberg reported.
• Data Centers and Green Concrete: The Open Compute Project Foundation (OCP) -- collaborating with Amazon Web Services (AWS), Google, Meta and Microsoft -- will test green concrete for data center floors.
• Platform Integration - Smart Homes: A Minut-Google Nest technology integration "enables property managers to significantly lower energy bills and carbon footprints by remotely managing heating and cooling across their short-term rental portfolios," the two companies said. Minut develops smart property management solutions to help protect rental owners and their guests. updates...
• AI and Smart Home Energy Management: Google is leveraging Gemini AI technologies to improve Nest thermostats and other smart home devices. Key partners on the effort include Renew Home, a home energy management platform provider that spun off from Google.
• Partnership - IT Consulting and Cloud Services: Deloitte and Google are touting Google Cloud are touting sustainable IT services to help customers "measure biodiversity, detect greenhouse gas emissions, create responsible supply chains, plan more livable cities, understand and prepare for climate-induced risks like flooding, wildfires, or drought, and so much more." Key names to know at Deloitte include: Jamie Sawchuk, global Alphabet Google sustainability and climate lead; and Anant Dinamani, US Google Cloud alliance sustainability and climate lead.
• Partnership - Cloud Services & IT Services: Wipro has expanded its strategic partnership with Google Cloud. The expanded effort focuses heavily on GenAI solutions.
• United Kingdom - AI Investigation:  Britain's competition watchdog is investigating Anthropic's AI partnerships with Amazon and Google, Reuters reported. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) expects to decide by October 4, 2024 whether the Amazon-Anthropic partnership deserves a deeper probe over competition concerns, the report said. Regulators in the United States, European Union and Britain signed a joint statement in July 2024, Reuters noted, promising to work together to safeguard fair competition in the AI industry.
• AI Talent: Google has hired the co-founders of AI startup Character.AI and will license the startup's large language models, SeekingAlpha reported. Character.AI's technology can develop chatbots that emulate celebrities. The hires reinforce a growing trend in the AI sector, where technology giants hire talent and license technology from AI startups -- rather than outright acquire the startups. The move sometimes is designed to avoid antitrust inquiries, though some regulators are starting to take a look at the business practice of hiring talent and licensing technology.

July 2024: Sustainability Strategy Updates

Multiple updates...

• Partnership - Data Centers: Google, PacificLight Energy (PLE) and Rexus Bioenergy (RExus) have entered into a 10-year collaboration. Specifically, PacificLight will route renewable energy from RExus to Google data centers in Singapore.
• 2030 Goal In Jeopardy? Google's carbon emissions continue to rise amid Google Cloud data center expansions and more generative AI workload deployments. The latest company stats suggest it will be difficult for Google to meet its 2030 sustainability goals.

June 2024: Sustainability Strategy Updates

Multiple updates...

• IT Services Guidance: Deloitte and Google have published a Digital Sprinters sustainability report -- which explains how governments can leverage AI, cloud services and the Internet of Things to reduce global emissions.
• Funding - AI Startup: CuspAI has raised $30 million in seed funding and tapped Google veteran Geoffrey Hinton -- the so-called "Godfather of AI" -- as an advisor.
• Mobile Devices - Right to Repair: Google has changed its repair policy after criticism of a third-party parts ban, ArsTechnica reported.
• Cloud Layoffs: Google's cloud unit made sweeping job cuts, Business Insider reported.

More: Continue to the next page for additional Google sustainability strategy updates, and associated partner engagements.