Latest news with #2024EnvironmentalReport
Yahoo
28-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Google locks in unprecedented purchase of 'black gold' to fuel global solutions: 'It has the ability to scale worldwide'
Google has agreed to a record-breaking deal for "black gold," and its purchase will tackle two environmentally damaging issues at the same time. As detailed by TechCrunch, Google intends to buy 100,000 tons of carbon dioxide removal credits from Varaha, an Indian startup whose biochar is certified on leading crediting platform While there are different varieties of biochar, Varaha produces its black gold from a woody invasive species that has wreaked havoc on plant biodiversity. The startup estimates its industrial biochar could sequester carbon for up to 1,600 years, helping Google offset its growing production of planet-warming pollution, which is associated with its development of artificial intelligence. In its 2024 Environmental Report, the tech giant highlighted how "the positive impact of AI could grow as it contributes to breakthroughs that open new pathways for climate action." Indeed, AI-related research elsewhere is already leading to potentially life-saving breakthroughs in crop optimization and weather monitoring. However, even though Google is proactively working to reduce the environmental toll of its power-hungry AI operations, including by expanding its low-carbon and clean-energy portfolio, it says its pollution has climbed nearly 50% since 2019, with data-center energy consumption one of the primary factors. Carbon offsets can help mitigate that. The concept isn't without its critics, though. Some argue that the system needs more transparency to ensure programs are effective. Proponents of such initiatives point out companies will create some level of pollution and say it is wise for them to invest in eco-friendly projects. Varaha CEO Madhur Jain told TechCrunch that each ton of his company's biochar accounts for 2.5 carbon credits — "linked to how long carbon can be permanently removed from the atmosphere by compensating for emissions with sustainable activities," per the report. While Google's purchase of Varaha credits to be delivered by 2030 is "minuscule" compared to its carbon pollution, as TechCrunch highlights, the tech company has previously purchased biochar carbon removal credits from Senken and Exomad Green. This agreement suggests Google remains committed to its sustainability aims, and the purchase will support small farmers across India. According to Varaha, its nature-based solutions have removed more than 2.2 million tons of carbon to date, thanks to the assistance of more than 100,000 onboarded farmers. "Biochar is a promising approach to carbon removal because it has the ability to scale worldwide, using existing technology, with positive side effects for soil health," Google carbon removal lead Randy Spock said in a statement. Does seeing a product labeled with its carbon footprint make you more likely to buy it? Definitely Only if the carbon footprint is small Only if I understand the label Not at all Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Yahoo
12-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Google, Amazon, and Meta want a big boost in nuclear energy
After a slate of nuclear energy deals late last year, Big Tech is throwing more support behind efforts to boost nuclear capacity around the world. Google (GOOGL), Meta (META), and Amazon (AMZN) signed a pledge on Tuesday to triple nuclear energy capacity worldwide by 2050 during CERAWeek, an annual energy conference in Houston, Texas. Major tech companies are showing strong interest in nuclear energy and other alternative sources as the artificial intelligence boom creates a massive demand for energy. In July, Google said its carbon emissions have risen by 48% since 2019, mostly due to energy consumption by data centers and supply chain emissions. The company's carbon emissions were up 13% year over year in 2023, according to its 2024 Environmental Report — putting the company at risk of missing its climate goals. 'We are proud to sign a pledge in support of tripling nuclear capacity by 2050, as nuclear power will be pivotal in building a reliable, secure, and sustainable energy future,' Lucia Tian, head of clean energy and decarbonization technologies at Google, said in a statement about signing the pledge. Urvi Parekh, head of global energy at Meta, said in a statement that growing global economies mean 'the need for a reliable, clean, and resilient energy supply is paramount.' 'Nuclear energy, with its ability to provide continuous power, can help meet this rising demand,' Parekh said. 'Accelerating nuclear energy development will be critical to strengthening our nation's security, meeting future energy demands, and addressing climate change,' Brandon Oyer, head of Americas energy and water for Amazon Web Services, said in a statement. The three companies had been making moves to increase nuclear energy before the pledge. In December, Meta requested proposals from nuclear energy developers in the U.S. to provide one to four gigawatts of new nuclear generation capacity starting in the next decade. In October, Amazon announced that it had signed three agreements to develop nuclear energy projects. The agreements include building 'several' small modular reactors (SMRs), which have 'a smaller physical footprint, allowing them to be built closer to the grid,' Amazon said. Compared with traditional reactors, SMRs can be put online faster because construction takes less time. Google also announced in October that it had signed 'the world's first corporate agreement to purchase nuclear energy' from SMRs developed by California-based Kairos Power. The company said it expects to bring Kairos Power's first SMR online by the end of the decade. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
