Over the next couple fo weeks I’ll be posting about some bits and pieces to do with large companies in the UK and what their environmental policies are. Personally I feel it is important for big companies in the Western World to take a lead on environmental issues and take responsibility for their actions.Duly I contacted Google - via their press department to find out what they do. And they replied within 24 hour: thats damn cool the other three companies I emailed didn’t even bother to reply… so far. If they don’t reply I will name and shame them at some point.

Googles’ Energy Policy

For a company with the motto ‘do no evil’ you would think that Google would be taking a strong environmentally friendly stance. It would appear from what I’ve been sent and found online that they are making a pretty decent stab at it.

Google and Environmentally Friendly Travel

To help get people out of cars they gave away bikes (I dont know how many they gave away could have been two could have been two thousand). Looks like a good start

Google and Energy Saving

To help save energy in the office the lights turn off when no one is in the room. Seems like a small thing but imagining how many staff they have this is probably the equaivalent to a couple of UK streets living without electricity.

Google and Recycling

Like many businesses Google has an active culture of recycling - paper, bottles etc are all recycled. Which I guess has got to be good.

Google and Going Further

Over at http://www.google.com/corporate/green/energy/ Google have published their corporate policy on all things green. They’re investing in some interesting bits and pieces to help the environment. they cool the computers which answer all our questions every day with ‘evaporative cooling’, and have signed up to the Climate Saving Computers Initiative.They have also invested in some cool and exciting new ways to generate energy - I particulary like their involvement with Makani Power Inc where they generate power at high altitudes. Apparently this power source could supply all the worlds energy needs (better get investing in this company just incase).

Google helps you calculate your Carbon footprint

If you go to http://www.google.co.uk/carbonfootprint/ you can start to uncover your own carbon footprint.

All in all a good start for this series with Google investing in technologies for the future and not just paying lip service to environmental issues.