Google Cloud’s New Climate Solutions
Google has announced two startup accelerators focused on global sustainability claiming that these would assist accelerated decarbonization
Given the overall focus on sustainability across the global economies, Google Cloud has announced two new startup accelerator programs focused on creating climate solutions that would make 2023 the year when technology would be used to unblock and accelerate decarbonization of the world.
This is the mission statement shared by Justin Keeble, managing director for global sustainability at Google Cloud and Adam Elman, head of sustainability for Google Cloud EMEA in a blog post that went live last week.
These programs will focus on identifying, supporting and scaling startups that are building technologies to combat climate change. This is the first time we’re running the program in Europe, and we’re looking forward to welcoming participants in our region at a critical time when technology can unblock and accelerate decarbonization of the economy, the post said.
The programs are available in limited geographies
However, the two startup accelerator programs would only be available in North America and Europe to start with. As more organizations navigate the necessary, sustainability-driven business transformations on the horizon, they’re looking for new tools and technology to help them, the officials said in the blog post.
“We believe the global startup ecosystem plays a pivotal role in accelerating their progress, which is why we’re excited to kick-off 2023 with Google for Startups Accelerator: Climate Change programs, and encourage startups to apply to North America or Europe,” the authors of the blog post said.
They added that the startup program was essential given the criticality of sustainability-driven business decisions to navigate the growing stakeholder pressures in boardrooms over ESG as well as the challenges startups face in the form of government regulations or investor opinions and even public shareholder perceptions.
Google will provide support via mentorship
According to the blog post, these two programs, focused on North America, Europe and Israel, would identify, support and scale startups building technologies that address climate change issues. Those that become part of the program will be aligned with Google’s Cloud network of experts for mentorship, and support throughout a variety of subjects and domains.
The accelerators, however, will focus mainly on cloud technology, artificial intelligence (AI), and machine learning (ML) with the goal of advancing young startups’ business and tech. “This is the first time we’re running the program in Europe, and we’re looking forward to welcoming participants in our region at a critical time,” Keeble and Elman said.
Meanwhile, a report published by SDxCentral quotes a study by Implement Consulting Group to suggest that digital technology would play a major role that could positively impact the process of decarbonization across all sectors of the economy.
According to the study, most digital economies in the European Union reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 25% during the 2003-2019 timeframe, even as their respective economies grew by 30% during the period. On the other side of the spectrum, those that saw the least decline in greenhouse gas emissions grew by only 18%.
