Google Cloud in Taiwan Emphasises Carbon Neutrality and Digital Transformation
According to Tony Hsieh, Google Cloud's country director for Taiwan, the company has centred its Taiwanese commercial operations on two fronts: assisting businesses with the transition to net-zero carbon emissions and digital transformation.
Hsieh stated that innovation and cost reduction are not the only priorities for businesses; talent cultivation and achieving ESG (environmental, social, and governance) objectives are also essential.
In April 2022, Google Taiwan published a poll of Taiwanese businesses on sustainable operations. Eighty-three per cent of respondents ranked recruitment and retention of skilled workers as a top priority, while 79 per cent ranked ESG goals and business model improvement as top priorities.
Hsieh stated that the competitiveness of businesses depends not just on cost performance but also carbon emissions reduction initiatives, such as carbon inventorying, carbon pricing, and carbon neutrality.
Hsieh highlighted, however, that it is difficult for businesses to undertake these activities without digital transformation.
Hsieh's RE100 (100 per cent of power demand is met by green energy) is concerned with the procurement of renewable energy and renewable energy certificates as well as the proportion of carbon-free energy consumption for businesses.
Hsieh said that Google achieved RE100 in 2017 and that, to date, only 66 companies in the world have achieved this status. In 2019, Google became the world's largest purchaser of renewable energy, and by 2030, it plans to utilise only carbon-free energy sources.
Hsieh said that Google also invests in building renovations to boost the energy efficiency of designs, including the installation of scale-shaped PV panels atop new buildings.
Hsieh stated that enterprises have transitioned from digitisation of operations to digital transformation of operations since 2010, and the demand for digital transformation has increased significantly since 2017, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak, which resulted in dramatic changes in consumer behaviour.
Historically, the digitalisation of business operations was primarily driven by the desire to reduce operating costs. Now, digital transformation is based on consumer perspectives and aims to accelerate business success by enhancing operational processes with digital tools and IT systems.
Source: Digitimes Asia
