Google has announced its commitment to environmental sustainability by pledging to purchase at least $35 million in carbon removal credits over the next year. This initiative comes in response to the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) own commitment to buy $35 million worth of carbon removal credits through its Carbon Dioxide Removal Purchase program, marking a significant step forward in public-private efforts to combat climate change.
Google’s initiative is not just a financial pledge but a call to action for other corporations to participate in a mutually reinforcing model of public-private support aimed at commercializing carbon removal solutions. By matching the DOE’s program dollar for dollar, Google sets a precedent for how companies can play a crucial role alongside governments in scaling promising carbon removal technologies to commercial viability.
This commitment builds on Google’s ongoing efforts to reduce emissions across its operations and value chain, acknowledging the importance of a diverse set of tools to tackle global climate change effectively. The company emphasizes the need for both emission reductions and atmospheric carbon removal as essential strategies for achieving net-zero emissions—a goal underscored by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) in its latest report.
Google’s investment in carbon removal credits supports a range of both technology-based and nature-based solutions, aiming to accelerate the carbon removal industry’s growth. The company highlights its recent involvement with Frontier, a pioneering advance market commitment for durable carbon removal technologies, and the First Movers Coalition, which unites companies worldwide to bolster demand for emerging climate solutions.
As Google steps forward to support carbon removal solutions at scale, it invites other companies to join in this critical endeavour. By working together, partners can identify and expand the most promising carbon removal technologies, paving the way toward a more sustainable future. This collaborative approach exemplifies how innovative strategies and significant investments are essential to address the climate crisis, offering a blueprint for others in the private sector to follow.
