Through new features, the search giant encourages Internet users to make transport choices that can limit the impact on climate change.
“It is now possible to prepare a trip, make purchases or choose a route taking into account their carbon footprint, explains Sundar Pichai, CEO of Google and Alphabet. We are developing new tools to help users opt for more sustainable solutions when traveling, from choosing the flight to choosing where to stay.
Carbon footprint information is now available via the Google Flights comparator, all over the world. The objective is to visualize the CO2 emissions per seat, on each flight, and to find options that emit less CO2. Displaying the carbon footprint of each trip is also an idea supported by Norbert Fiebig, president of DRV, the equivalent of Travel Companies in Germany.
In the same spirit, search results for hotels will now display information on the “responsible” actions adopted by each establishment: waste reduction or water savings, Green Key or EarthCheck certification. The leader in hotel reservations, Booking.com, is also committed to encouraging such display.
Integration in Google Maps
Starting today in the United States, and starting in 2022 in Europe, Google Maps will show the route with the lowest CO2 emissions for the same travel time as the fastest route. The Mountain View group estimates that such an initiative could reduce annual CO 2 emissions by more than one million tonnes, the equivalent of taking 200,000 cars off the road.
“All over the world, weather phenomena such as wildfires, floods and other extreme events directly affect our health, the economy and our common future on this planet, adds Sundar Pichai. It is urgent to find concrete answers to these challenges. »
More generally, Google promises to help Internet users make their purchases in a more reasoned way in various areas, including household appliances.
