Key Impact Points:
- Tripling Initial Commitment: Google exceeded its 2024 carbon removal credit pledge, investing over $100 million—three times its initial $35 million target.
- Diverse Technology Investments: The company supports biomass capture, biochar, enhanced rock weathering (ERW), direct air capture (DAC), and nature-based solutions.
- Scaling the Carbon Removal Market: Google partners with major tech firms and industry groups, securing nearly 800,000 tons of carbon removals while advancing global decarbonization efforts.
Google Expands Carbon Removal Investments
Google announced it has committed over $100 million in carbon removal credits in 2024, significantly exceeding its initial pledge of $35 million. This investment supports a range of carbon removal technologies, including restoration of natural carbon sinks, ERW, biomass capture and biochar, and DAC.
Randy Spock, Carbon Credits and Removals Lead at Google, emphasized the company’s commitment:
“As we work toward our net zero goal, we aim to accelerate solutions that maximize our impact for the planet. That’s why in 2024, we contracted for more than $100 million in carbon removal credits—roughly three times more than what we pledged last year—to catalyze carbon removal solutions that both Google and the world need.”
Google’s Carbon Removal Strategy
Google aims to reach net zero emissions by 2030, targeting a 50% reduction in Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions from its 2019 baseline. The company is focusing on both nature-based and technology-based carbon removal methods to offset residual emissions.
To date, Google’s purchases total nearly 800,000 tons of carbon removals, with biomass carbon removal and storage representing the largest share. Agreements include:
- Over 344,000 tons from biomass capture and biochar projects by CO280, Varaha, and Charm.
- 200,000+ tons via an ERW deal with startup Terradot.
- 100,000 tons from DAC provider Holocene, alongside additional agreements with CarbonRun and 280 Earth.
Change the World - Subscribe Now
Industry-Wide Collaboration
Beyond its individual efforts, Google is actively driving industry collaboration. In May 2024, Google co-founded Symbiosis, an advance market commitment (AMC) initiative alongside Meta, Microsoft, and Salesforce, pledging to contract up to 20 million tons of nature-based carbon removal credits.
Future Outlook
Google plans to further scale its carbon removal efforts in the coming years. Spock noted:
“We’re encouraged by our progress, but the journey to catalyze carbon removal is just beginning. In the year ahead, we will continue to expand our support for carbon removal as part of our ongoing effort to find the solutions the world needs and maximize their impact on the planet.”
With continued investments and partnerships, Google is positioning itself as a key player in the global carbon removal market, aligning with broader corporate and governmental climate targets.
Related Article: Amazon and Google Lead Tech Shift to Nuclear Energy for Net-Zero Goals
