As the technology sector increasingly turns to artificial intelligence and generative AI to power its data center operations and support cloud infrastructure, this increased adoption has also led to a spike in emissions and energy demands, often straining companies’ decarbonization efforts.

Earlier this year, Google reported a 51% rise in overall emissions compared to a 2019 baseline, despite the company’s recent efforts to reduce its data center emissions and work towards its goal of powering operations on 24/7 clean energy. While the company’s latest environmental report documented an 11% decrease in year-over-year operational emissions — counting its scope 1 and 2 emissions — it also noted a 22% increase in scope 3 emissions.

However, despite this jump in emissions, Google said it remains committed to its target of achieving net-zero by 2030 and other sustainability objectives, which include a goal to power all of its data centers and campuses with carbon-free energy by the end of the decade. The search engine and tech conglomerate said it has achieved 66% of this goal as of 2024.

Catch up on ESG Dive’s coverage of some of the most notable initiatives, investments and deals Google has inked in 2025 so far to lower its climate footprint.