Google has announced two new partnerships aimed at eliminating over 25,000 tonnes of highly potent superpollutants by 2030, in a move to accelerate near-term climate action and bolster its broader carbon removal strategy.
In collaboration with environmental organisations Recoolit and Cool Effect, Google will support targeted projects to destroy fluorinated gases from cooling systems in Indonesia and capture methane emissions from landfills in Brazil. These efforts are expected to prevent atmospheric warming equivalent to approximately 1 million tonnes of CO₂ over the long term — and up to 3 million tonnes in the near term due to the higher potency of these pollutants.
Superpollutants, such as hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) and methane, are short-lived climate pollutants that contribute disproportionately to global warming. By focusing on their elimination, Google aims to deliver rapid climate benefits while complementing its long-term carbon neutrality goals.
The tech giant noted that if credits from these projects are used to neutralise its own emissions, they will be carefully aligned with the lifespan of Google’s carbon footprint — either offsetting shorter-lived emissions or being replaced with long-term carbon removal credits as needed.
Google’s latest initiative builds on its ongoing investment in carbon removal and climate innovation, underscoring its commitment to addressing both immediate and enduring climate challenges.
