Google Workspace Now Tracks Power Usage Across Apps with New Carbon Footprint Monitoring Features

Google has announced an update to its Google Workspace Carbon Footprint tool.

This latest update allows administrators to monitor and analyze the energy consumption of all apps in the Workspace suite, helping businesses keep a close eye on their carbon emissions.

The announcement was made at Google Cloud Next ‘23, where the tech giant highlighted its partnership with Electricity Maps to provide real-time electricity usage data to customers.

Expansion of Carbon Footprint Tool

Previously, only top-level admins had access to the Carbon Footprint information for their organization.

However, with this latest update, Google Workspace has introduced more flexibility by allowing admins to create custom roles. These roles can now be assigned to department heads or team managers, enabling them to track and analyze their respective teams’ power usage.

By incorporating Electricity Maps' API, the monitoring tool will provide real-time and predictive electricity signals. This means that companies will have access to accurate and up-to-date data on how much energy is being consumed by each app and department.

With this information, businesses can make informed decisions to reduce their carbon footprint and work towards more sustainable operations.

Cloud Computing and Carbon Emissions

The expansion of the Carbon Footprint tool comes at a time when cloud computing and artificial intelligence (AI) are being increasingly criticized for their environmental impact. Google itself acknowledged that the rise in cloud computing and AI technologies has significantly contributed to the tech industry’s growing carbon emissions.

While cloud computing has brought immense efficiency and innovation to businesses worldwide, the downside is that it consumes vast amounts of electricity. Data centres, in particular, require a massive amount of energy to keep the servers running and cool.

According to reports, the tech industry now accounts for nearly 4% of global carbon emissions, with the figure rising every year.

Google's Efforts Towards Sustainability

Despite being one of the largest companies in the world, Google has committed to being carbon-free by 2030. This ambitious goal involves reducing its overall carbon footprint and transitioning to what it describes as "nature-based" solutions.

In the context of Google’s new Workspace features, this commitment includes sharing its sustainability practices with other companies, encouraging them to adopt eco-friendly practices as well.

Google’s carbon-neutral journey isn’t new. The company has been purchasing renewable energy for several years, and in 2020, it became the first major company to match 100% of its energy consumption with renewable energy purchases.

However, its new goal of becoming fully carbon-free by 2030 takes this effort a step further, as Google aims to cut emissions and rely entirely on clean energy sources.

A Positive Step, But More Needed

While Google’s commitment to sustainability is commendable, some experts argue that more aggressive action is needed. As one of the biggest players in the tech industry, Google is also a significant contributor to global carbon emissions.

Critics point out that the company needs to continue taking active steps to minimize its environmental impact, rather than just offering tools to others.

That said, the expansion of Google Workspace's Carbon Footprint tool is an essential development. By enabling more people within organizations to track their energy usage, companies can take proactive steps to reduce their carbon emissions.

Bottom Line

Google’s new update to the Carbon Footprint tool for Workspace is a positive move. With the help of real-time data from Electricity Maps, organizations can monitor their energy consumption and take actionable steps to reduce their carbon emissions.

While Google still has a long way to go in its journey toward becoming fully carbon-free by 2030, the tech giant’s new initiatives mark a strong step in the right direction.