Google’s renewable energy commitment continues to grow

Google aren’t only one of the fastest growing and most profitable organizations in recent years but via a growing determination to raise their CSR standards they also look to be heading to becoming one of the most environmentally friendly also. The search engine plus literally dozens of other online applications and tools giant have come a long way since their 2007 announcement that they aimed to become carbon neutral. In fact with the company’s ongoing investment in renewable energy they might well be in a position to offer excess green energy to the open market within five years in addition to gmail, googlemaps and google checkout.

Google have a brand new CEO Larry Page who looks to continue and expand the commitment to clean energy and has begun his term with a major announcement about the direction Google is heading in. Page has launched a new research and development team with a key responsibility of forging large scale renewable energy technology platforms. Ultimately the company aims to develop a more financially viable option than coal than can be used on a wide scale, not just for Google but elsewhere. Based on Google’s overall accomplishments when it comes to technology I wouldn’t be the one to bet against them succeeding this quest.

Over the last three years the company has made significant progress in their transition toward renewable energy, recognizing the environmental benefits and the direct relationship to the CSR portfolio of the business. The philosophy is that becoming global leader in internet technology and tools is further strengthened by demonstrating that projects on a massive scale will have greater benefits, needless to say Google’s energy use is substantial and set to increase. As a side note it’s worth remembering that in a number of recent surveys Google have been at or near the top of well known companies that are most trusted/have the strongest reputation. These developments look likely to reinforce that perception.

Entrance to the Google office in London, UK

To date they’ve accelerated investment in renewable energy projects since commencing last year with investments totaling in excess of $400 million over that time. At the time of writing Google have declared their contributions toward for four different projects, three wind farms around the United States including the world’s largest in Oregon plus their single largest investment of $168 million to the Ivanpah solar farm in California which will be the world’s largest upon completion.

I’m interested to see the progress made by the new team at Google and the continued focus on renewable energy. While their reputation is currently tied to search engines and tools that have changed the internet their legacy could be something entirely different.

For the latest CSR and nonprofit fundraising news please follow us on Twitter!