Google says its carbon footprint is now zero

More nuanced. They purchased carbon credits without providing how much carbon they claim to have produced. I highly doubt the credits they purchased will actually come close to their emissions.

Re: Google says its carbon footprint is now zero

#6

Post by interrupt_ » Mon, Sep 14, 2020, 12:25 PM UTC

jurgenaut23 wrote: post #3

How about the carbon footprint of their users while using their services?

They don't have control over that. They can only ensure the energy required to run the services are offset.

Re: Google says its carbon footprint is now zero

#7

Post by throwaway287391 » Mon, Sep 14, 2020, 12:25 PM UTC

Maximus9000 wrote: post #4

[Deleted]

Pretty sure the data centers and offices are counted in the all-time carbon footprint of zero. Your second quote is talking about switching to carbon-free energy, which is different from the carbon offsets referred to by your first quote.

Re: Google says its carbon footprint is now zero

#8

Post by mjlm » Mon, Sep 14, 2020, 12:26 PM UTC

Maximus9000 wrote: post #4

[Deleted]

Currently, they buy carbon offsets to be net-neutral. The goal is to buy carbon-neutral energy in the first place.

Re: Google says its carbon footprint is now zero

#9

Post by tantalor » Mon, Sep 14, 2020, 12:27 PM UTC

Maximus9000 wrote: post #4

[Deleted]

It's the difference between offsets (use fossil fuels and pay for equivalent carbon capture) versus operating on carbon-free energy.

Re: Google says its carbon footprint is now zero

#10

Post by brainfog » Mon, Sep 14, 2020, 12:28 PM UTC

interrupt_ wrote: post #6

jurgenaut23 wrote: post #3

How about the carbon footprint of their users while using their services?

They don't have control over that. They can only ensure the energy required to run the services are offset.

They do to some extent, albeit not really in a measurable way. They could improve the battery usage of their apps, optimize power on Android, and make their services less addictive.