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Google has announced a new feature for Google Workspace users, allowing them to track the energy consumption of their applications. This new capability builds on the Carbon Footprint service introduced at Google Cloud Next ’23, which provides detailed insights into electricity usage. The development comes through a partnership with Electricity Maps, an API service delivering real-time and predictive electricity data to customers.
Previously, only top-level admins could access carbon footprint data, but now the feature has expanded, enabling organizations to assign a custom role for others to access this data. This will help companies better monitor energy use and reduce carbon emissions.
Google’s commitment to addressing climate change is emphasized in the announcement, where it notes the significant role of cloud computing and AI in increasing carbon emissions in the tech industry. The integration of the Electricity Maps API is aimed at offering insights into what actions companies can take to minimize their carbon footprint.
However, the announcement also raises some critical questions regarding Google’s role in contributing to carbon emissions. As one of the largest companies globally and a leader in cloud storage and AI, Google itself is a significant emitter of carbon. While the initiative is a step forward for many organizations, the onus on tech giants like Google to reduce their environmental impact remains.
Google has also reaffirmed its commitment to becoming fully “carbon-free” by 2030. This pledge includes reducing emissions and transitioning to nature-based solutions. If successful, this will place Google at the forefront of environmental stewardship in the tech world, making Carbon Footprint for Google Workspace more than just a way to shift responsibility to others.