Google has just released its 2025 Environment Report, which notes significant achievement in an effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in data centers – reduce 12% of emissions by 2024, despite a sharp increase in energy use.
However, Google's total carbon emissions continue to rise during the year, mainly due to a strong increase from the supply chain (Scope 3), with an increase of more than 20% in 2024.
Moonshot commitments and new challenges
Google has set environmental goals for 2030, including:
Reached net emissions of 0 across the value chain.
Operate the entire operation by 24/7 carbon free energy, that is Perfectly matching supply and demand for clean electricity every hour, everywhere.
However, in the report, Google admits that achieving these ambitious goals is becoming more difficult. “much more complex and challenging”, due to external factors such as:
Clean energy deployment not fast enough
Energy demand is increasing rapidly due to AI
Unstable policy
Some areas remain early stages of decarbonization
Google says:
“These factors could impact the cost, feasibility and progress towards achieving our targets. We will remain flexible and evaluate a range of options, balancing cost, quality and speed of emissions reduction.”
Success in the data center
A 12% reduction in data center emissions by 2024 is a huge milestone, especially after Google previously 37% increase Scope 2 (electricity purchased outside) in the previous year.
The key to this result is the addition of clean energy:
In 2024, 25 new projects with 2,5 GW clean electricity goes into operation.
To date, Google has signed more than 170 PPA contracts, respectively 22 GW renewable power capacity
In 2024 alone, the company has signed up to 8 GW, 4 times the increase in electricity consumption compared to 2023.
Google is also testing new energy technologies such as advanced geothermal, advanced nuclear power and biomass.
In addition, data center performance is also significantly improved:
“Today, our data centers provide the amount of computing power 6 times more per unit of electricity compared to five years ago.”
Supply chain – the biggest bottleneck
Despite progress on internal operations, Google is facing serious supply chain difficulties:
Scope 3 accounts for 73% total emissions
Currently higher 25% compared to 2019, in 2024 alone it will increase 22%.
Main reasons:
Many suppliers of components (such as semiconductor chips) are located in Asia-Pacific region, place The power grid still depends on fossil fuels.
Action to reduce supply chain emissions
Google has rolled out several initiatives such as:
Energy Assessment Tool help factories detect energy saving opportunities.
Clean Energy Addendum: supplier requirements achieve 100% clean electricity by 2029.
Investing in renewable energy development in manufacturing areas, as project 1 GW in Taiwan with New Green Power (BlackRock).
Statement from the Chief Sustainability Officer
Grandma Kate Brandt, Google's Director of Sustainability, shares:
“We have learned a lot over the years. We now have a better understanding of what is possible in each region of the world – and how to best leverage our resources and technology to have the greatest possible impact.”
Conclusion
While Google has made significant progress in reducing operational emissions through clean energy and optimizing efficiency, its supply chain – especially in coal-dependent regions – remains biggest barrier on the journey to Net Zero 2030. Companies will need to global efforts, supply chain collaboration and deeper technology investments to realize its climate “moon dream”.