AI 排碳激增，Google 打出核能與碳移除組合拳

面對生成式 AI 快速擴張導致的能源需求成長與碳排放上升，Google 近期宣布多項能源與碳移除投資計畫，包括支持先進核能技術開發，以及攜手碳移除公司 Recoolit 與 Cool Effect 處理高暖化潛勢溫室氣體（superpollutants），進一步實現其碳中和與能源轉型目標。

Facing the rapid expansion of generative AI and its associated surge in energy demand and carbon emissions, Google has recently announced a series of investments in clean energy and carbon removal. These include support for advanced nuclear technology development, as well as partnerships with carbon removal companies Recoolit and Cool Effect to target high global warming potential (GWP) greenhouse gases - commonly referred to as superpollutants - as part of its broader carbon neutrality and energy transition goals.

AI 導致排放增加，Google 調整永續策 略

根據 Google 最新永續報告，該公司 2023 年的溫室氣體排放量較 2022 年成長 13%，主要來自人工智慧運算量增加以及碳抵換策略的調整。Google 表示，已不再僅依賴傳統碳抵換，而是將資源轉向可擴展、高品質的碳移除與清潔能源專案。

「Google 正處於人工智慧與美國創新交匯的關鍵時刻，我們必須以相應速度推進能源轉型，」Google 資料中心能源全球主管 Amanda Peterson Corio 在 5 月 7 日的聲明中表示。

AI Spurs Emissions Increase, Prompting Google to Revise Its Sustainability Strategy

According to Google’s latest sustainability report, the company’s greenhouse gas emissions in 2023 increased by 13% compared to 2022. The rise was mainly driven by higher AI computing demands and a shift in its carbon offset strategy. Google stated it is moving away from reliance on traditional carbon offsets, instead allocating resources toward scalable, high-quality carbon removal and clean energy projects.

投資先進核能 三座專案合計 1800 兆瓦

Google 宣布與美國先進核能開發商 Elementl 簽署合作協議，將出資支持三項早期開發階段的核電專案。這些專案預計每座發電廠可提供至少 600 兆瓦電力。Google 擁有未來電力購買選擇權，並強調其「技術中立」立場，將支持能提供 24 小時穩定基載電力的清潔技術。

Peterson Corio 表示：「Google 承諾推動加強我們營運地區電網的能源專案，而先進核能正是提供全天候穩定電力的關鍵技術。」

“Google stands at a critical intersection of AI and American innovation, and we must accelerate the clean energy transition accordingly,” said Amanda Peterson Corio, Global Head of Data Center Energy at Google, in a statement on May 7.

Investing in Advanced Nuclear: Three Projects Totaling 1.8 GW

Google announced a partnership with U.S.-based advanced nuclear developer Elementl, agreeing to invest in three early-stage nuclear power projects. Each plant is expected to deliver at least 600 megawatts (MW) of electricity. Google holds future power purchase options and emphasized its technology-neutral stance - supporting clean technologies capable of providing 24/7 reliable baseload power.

Google 也已加入 Amazon、Meta 等大型能源用戶，在 2024 年 3 月的 CERAWeek 國際能源會議上聯合承諾，協助全球在 2050 年前將核能裝置容量提升三倍。這項行動也與 Microsoft、Meta 等其他科技巨頭去年簽訂或規劃的核能購電協議一致，展現資料中心能源需求與清潔電力之間的新依存關係。

超強溫室氣體去除：支持 Recoolit 與 Cool Effect 專案

在減碳方面，Google 亦宣佈與碳移除公司 Recoolit 和 Cool Effect 合作，預計至 2030 年共去除 25,000 噸超強溫室氣體。這些氣體單位溫室效應值（GWP）遠高於二氧化碳，在短期內具有極高暖化潛勢。Google 表示，此舉相當於 20 年內減少 300 萬噸 CO₂ 效應，或 100 年內減少 100 萬噸。

"Google is committed to advancing energy projects that strengthen the grids where we operate, and advanced nuclear is a key technology in delivering round-the-clock clean power," said Peterson Corio.

Google also joined Amazon, Meta, and other large energy consumers in a joint pledge made during CERAWeek 2024, to help triple global nuclear capacity by 2050. This move aligns with other recent power purchase agreements or planned deals signed by tech giants like Microsoft and Meta, reflecting the growing interdependence between data center energy needs and clean power sources.

Removing Superpollutants: Backing Recoolit and Cool Effect

In its decarbonization efforts, Google also announced collaborations with Recoolit and Cool Effect, aiming to eliminate 25,000 tons of superpollutants by 2030. These gases have much higher GWP values than CO₂ and pose significant short-term climate threats. Google estimates that this initiative is equivalent to avoiding 3 million tons of CO₂ over 20 years, or 1 million tons over 100 years.

"Destroying these pollutants is among the most effective near-term actions we can take to slow climate change," said Spock, Google’s Head of Carbon Offsets and Removals. He emphasized that Google selects projects based on strict standards of high certainty and additionality, with a commitment to transparent tracking of their atmospheric impact timelines.

「這些污染物的銷毀，是當前最有效的減緩氣候變遷方式之一，」Google 碳抵換與移除主管 Spock 表示。他強調，公司會以「高確定性與額外性」標準來挑選專案，並對其在大氣中的實際作用期數據保持透明。

Spock 指出，這些碳抵換將會與 Google 自身較短生命週期的排放相匹配，並在其大氣影響結束時以較長期碳信用替代，以保持氣候效益的一致性。

支持新創擴張：從印尼冷氣到巴西垃圾掩埋場

Recoolit 是一家與印尼空調維修業者合作的初創企業，其技術可回收並銷毀家用與商用冷卻設備中的含氟氣體（如 HFCs），這些氣體是全球升溫的重要來源之一。Google 的投資將協助 Recoolit 擴大 10 倍營運規模，並進軍其他國家市場。

Spock also explained that the carbon credits generated will be matched with Google’s shorter-lived emissions and replaced over time with longer-duration carbon credits, maintaining the integrity of their climate impact.

Scaling Startups: From Air Conditioning in Indonesia to Landfills in Brazil

Recoolit is a startup working with Indonesian air conditioning repair businesses to recover and destroy fluorinated gases (such as HFCs) from residential and commercial cooling systems - some of the most potent greenhouse gases. Google’s investment will help Recoolit scale operations tenfold and expand into additional international markets.

Cool Effect, on the other hand, specializes in methane destruction and provides funding for landfills to install methane flaring systems. Google is currently supporting one such project in Brazil, which will continuously reduce methane emissions in the region while enhancing both local governance and global climate contributions.

Cool Effect 則專注於甲烷銷毀，協助掩埋場獲得資金安裝甲烷焚燒設備。Google 此次支持其中一個位於巴西的掩埋場專案，未來將能持續減少該區域甲烷排放，兼顧地方治理與全球氣候貢獻。

從碳中和到碳移除：Google 轉型下一階段

From Carbon Neutrality to Carbon Removal: Google’s Next Transition Phase

2007 至 2022 年間，Google 一直以碳中和為目標，透過購買碳抵換來中和剩餘排放。然而，自 2023 年起，該公司改採更積極的碳移除策略，強調實質減排與大氣中 CO₂ 的清除。2024 年，Google 已投入超過 1 億美元購買碳移除信用，成為全球技術公司中碳移除採購領先者之一。

Between 2007 and 2022, Google operated under a carbon neutrality model, purchasing offsets to balance residual emissions. However, starting in 2023, the company pivoted to a more aggressive carbon removal strategy, focusing on real emission reductions and direct CO₂ extraction from the atmosphere. In 2024, Google has already committed over $100 million to purchase carbon removal credits, making it one of the leading technology companies in this space.

這些舉措展現出科技業在高能源密度與 ESG 壓力之下，如何整合創新技術、氣候金融與國際合作，推動企業向真正淨零過渡。Google 的行動，也將成為數位經濟與碳市場融合的範例，對全球政策與市場機制產生深遠影響。

These actions illustrate how tech companies - facing high energy intensities and growing ESG pressures - are integrating innovative technologies, climate finance, and global partnerships to enable a genuine transition to net-zero. Google’s approach is also emerging as a blueprint for how the digital economy and carbon markets can converge, setting the stage for broader impacts on global policy and market mechanisms.