What Is Green Investing: Company Profiles

  ICT Holdings
  Google
  Whole Foods Market
  Green Mountain Coffee Roasters

 

Google Inc.

Since founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin created their revolutionary search formula in a Palo Alto garage in 1996, Google Inc.* has evolved into the world’s leading source of information collection. However, there is more to Google than just search – both in its business operations and its environmental practices. As Google continues to broaden the reach of its business, it has also established itself as one of the most environmentally-friendly technology companies.

One of the most important environmental concerns for a technology company is the energy consumed by its data centers. Google excels in this area through efficiency, use of clean sources of energy and offsets. Google’s data centers use about 50% of the energy consumed by most other data centers; in fact, providing a user with one month of Google service uses the same amount of energy as leaving a light on for 3 hours. Google proudly touts the fact that its energy savings have not only reduced its impact, but also saved the company – and its shareholders – billions of dollars over the years. Google also sources from wind power and seeks carbon offsets, resulting in a zero carbon footprint for its centers.

Google goes beyond reducing its negative impacts by trying to leverage its resources to green the economy at large. By sourcing wind power for its data centers, Google’s hope is not only to “go green,” but also to provide a guaranteed market for wind energy, creating incentives for farmers to put turbines on their land.

Google’s approach to business centers around putting its users first and, here at Green Century, we are happy to see that this philosophy extends to the planet Google’s users occupy.

 

* As of March 31, 2013, Google Inc. comprised 0.94% of the Green Century Balanced Fund and 3.42% of the Green Century Equity Fund. Portfolio composition will change due to ongoing management of the Funds. Please refer to the Green Century Funds website for current information regarding the Funds' portfolio holdings. These holdings are subject to risk as described in the Funds' prospectus. References to specific investments should not be construed as a recommendation of the securities by the Funds, their administrator, or their distributor.