Google’s Carbon Emissions Jump by 48% since 2019
In its latest environmental report, Google has revealed a staggering 48% increase in its carbon emissions since 2019. The tech giant’s carbon footprint has grown significantly, with a 13% increase in emissions alone in 2024. The alarming rise in emissions is attributed to the rapid growth of artificial intelligence (AI) and the increasing demand for data centers and supply chain emissions.
According to Google’s Environmental Report 2025, the company’s total carbon footprint has increased from 15.1 million metric tons in 2019 to 22.2 million metric tons in 2024. This significant jump is a major concern for environmental advocates and climate experts, who have been urging companies to reduce their carbon emissions to mitigate the effects of climate change.
The report highlights that data centers now account for 25% of Google’s total energy consumption, making them a significant contributor to the company’s growing carbon emissions. Data centers are critical for storing and processing vast amounts of data required for AI and machine learning applications. However, their operation requires significant amounts of energy, which is often generated by fossil fuels and contributes to greenhouse gas emissions.
The increasing demand for data centers is driven by the growing reliance on cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and other digital technologies. As more people and businesses rely on these technologies, the need for data storage and processing continues to grow, leading to a corresponding increase in energy consumption and carbon emissions.
Another significant contributor to Google’s carbon emissions is its supply chain. The company’s supply chain emissions, which include emissions from the production and transportation of components and materials, have also increased significantly. The report states that supply chain emissions account for around 11% of Google’s total carbon footprint, making them a major area of focus for the company’s sustainability efforts.
To mitigate its growing carbon emissions, Google has committed to reducing its carbon footprint by 50% by 2030. The company has set targets to reduce its energy consumption, increase its use of renewable energy, and implement sustainable practices across its operations. Google has also pledged to power 100% of its data centers with renewable energy by 2025, which will significantly reduce its reliance on fossil fuels and lower its carbon emissions.
In addition to its internal efforts, Google is also working with other companies and organizations to reduce its carbon footprint. The company has partnered with the Renewable Energy Buyers Alliance (REBA) to promote the use of renewable energy in the data center sector. Google is also a member of the Climate Neutral Now initiative, which aims to reduce emissions from data centers and other industrial activities.
In conclusion, Google’s recent environmental report highlights the significant challenges posed by the company’s growing carbon emissions. The increasing demand for data centers and supply chain emissions are major contributors to the company’s growing carbon footprint. However, Google’s commitment to reducing its carbon emissions by 50% by 2030 and its efforts to promote sustainable practices across its operations and supply chain offer hope for a more sustainable future.
Source:
https://blog.google/outreach-initiatives/sustainability/environmental-report-2025/
