Google has unveiled two new partnerships aimed at eliminating super-pollutants—highly potent greenhouse gases (GHGs) that significantly accelerate global warming. The tech giant has teamed up with Recoolit and Cool Effect to fund verified projects that remove these emissions, which are far more dangerous than CO2 in the short term.
These agreements represent long-term carbon credit purchases equivalent to removing 1 million tons of CO2 from the atmosphere, reinforcing Google’s commitment to climate action and global sustainability.
What Are Super-Pollutants?
Super-pollutants include methane (CH₄) and hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs)—gases that trap significantly more heat than carbon dioxide. According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), these gases account for nearly 50% of global warming to date.
Unlike CO2, super-pollutants are short-lived in the atmosphere but have much higher global warming potential (GWP). This makes their elimination a high-impact, near-term solution in the fight against climate change.
Google’s New Climate Partnerships
1. Recoolit (Indonesia)
Founded: 2020
Headquarters: Jakarta, Indonesia
Recoolit specializes in capturing and destroying HFCs from refrigerants used in residential and commercial HVAC systems. With Google’s backing, Recoolit aims to:
- Scale its operations 10x
- Expand to new international markets
- Permanently eliminate refrigerant-based emissions through a verifiable and transparent process
“Destroying these pollutants is one of the most powerful levers available today to slow down climate change,” said Randy Spock, Google’s Carbon Credits and Removals Lead.
“That’s why we’re supporting two partners who are taking distinct, science-backed approaches to super-pollutant destruction.”
2. Cool Effect (Brazil)
Founded: 2015
Type: Non-profit
Partner Project: Orizon Valorização de Resíduos (Cuiabá, Brazil)
Cool Effect supports high-quality carbon reduction projects that are scientifically sound and financially transparent. In Brazil, the company is installing methane destruction technology at a landfill site through its local partner.
“The IPCC calls for a 30% reduction in methane emissions by 2030,” said Jodi Manning, CEO of Cool Effect.
“Google’s investment sends a strong message that major corporations are stepping up by supporting real, high-integrity climate solutions.”
Near-Term Impact, Long-Term Strategy
While super-pollutants are more potent than CO2, they dissipate faster. Google estimates that the current agreements will:
- Yield a short-term climate impact equivalent to removing 3 million tons of CO2
- Provide a long-term CO2 equivalency of around 1 million tons
Google plans to match the credits to emissions within its footprint or replace them with longer-lasting removals as their atmospheric potency declines.
“We can’t combat climate change without solving for super-pollutants,” Spock added. “We’re committed to using every tool available to support global decarbonization.”
Key Takeaways
| Area | Impact |
| Super-Pollutant Removal | Equivalent to 1 million tons of CO2 |
| Short-Term Climate Impact | Equivalent to 3 million tons of CO2 |
| Partners | Recoolit (Indonesia), Cool Effect (Brazil) |
| Technologies | Refrigerant Destruction, Methane Capture |
| Alignment | IPCC 2030 Methane Target, Paris Agreement |
Why This Matters
By targeting short-lived climate pollutants, Google is addressing one of the most urgent and overlooked levers in climate mitigation. These partnerships represent a growing recognition that tackling both long-term carbon emissions and short-term superpollutants is vital for a livable planet.
