How Google is Helping Supply Chain Energy Efficiency

Improving energy use across today's complex global supply chains is a critical factor for operational resilience and cost control.

The International Energy Agency (IEA) often calls energy efficiency the “first fuel” in clean energy transitions, because it can provide some of the most cost-effective CO₂ mitigation options available.

For procurement and supply chain leaders, harnessing this potential within their supplier network could be key to strengthening the value chain.

The challenge, however, is that many manufacturing facilities face hurdles, such as high upfront costs for consultants, constrained capital and a lack of in-house expertise.

Overcoming supplier implementation hurdles

To help its supply chain partners overcome these obstacles, Google has launched a free self-service Energy Assessment Tool (EAT).

The platform is designed to empower Facility Managers to conduct preliminary energy assessments without the need for on-site support or deep expertise. The tool simplifies the data collection process, providing actionable insights and breaking down common barriers to energy efficiency improvements.

By entering basic facility data, such as utility bills and equipment specifications, users can receive customised recommendations. These cover more than 20 common system areas, including air compressors, boilers, chillers and lighting.

The analyses are typical of an "ASHRAE Level 1" standard energy audit, which involves a walk-through analysis to identify low-cost and no-cost energy-saving opportunities.

Introducing the tool, Kate Brandt Chief Sustainability Officer at Google, says: “We’re launching a tool that I wish I had access to early in my career as a sustainability leader.” Brandt explains that by providing partners with the right resources progress can be accelerated.

“By equipping our partners with the right resources we can accelerate progress reduce costs and build a more efficient and resilient supply chain for everyone.”

Fostering collaboration and network visibility

From a procurement perspective, a key function of the EAT is its ability to foster collaboration between a company and its suppliers.

This extends positive impacts across the value chain. The platform highlights projects with the greatest potential for cost and carbon reduction, and enables assessment across multiple facilities for better investment prioritisation.

For C-Level executives, this shared approach is central to the initiative and gives greater visibility into the sustainability and efficiency of their network. This level of insight allows for more strategic supplier relationship management and risk mitigation.

Collaboration is a central theme of the programme. “The journey to a more sustainable future is a shared one” writes Google.

“The Energy Assessment tool helps pave the way for our mutual success.”

Data security and global accessibility

The tool is powered by a robust calculation methodology and comprehensive data, developed by leading engineering consulting firms.

Google addresses the sensitive nature of operational data by ensuring individual supplier energy information is kept secure and confidential. The EAT is built and managed by a third party, and has been reviewed by Google to ensure it meets stringent privacy and security standards.

This structure allows suppliers to decide which partners to collaborate with and what summary data to share such as total potential savings. To support adoption across key manufacturing regions and global supply chains, the tool offers language options in Chinese (simplified and traditional), Thai, Vietnamese and English.

This initiative is a component of Google's broader strategy to build a more sustainable supply chain and reach its target of net zero emissions across its value chain by 2030.