Google's principal activity is to provide advertising solutions, global internet search solutions through its internet site and intranet solutions via an enterprise search appliance.

Strengths:

• comprehensive code of conduct regarding fair business practices

• high labour standards for staff

• continuous increase in the number of jobs offered in the last years

• reasonable measures regarding the implementation of concrete strategies and formal systems to address climate change

Weaknesses:

• lack of transparency regarding a human rights policy covering freedom of expression

• lack of transparency regarding policies/measures to ensure interoperability of software

Global use of the Internet is now a significant source of greenhouse gas emissions. In this context, Google has set itself the goal of becoming carbon-neutral for 2007 and beyond. In order to achieve this goal, the company has taken a number of steps, including various initiatives to improve energy efficiency, increased use of renewable energies and projects for offsetting carbon dioxide emissions. In addition to this, Google has launched a comprehensive research and development programme, a particular focus of which involves promoting developments in the areas of solar energy and geothermal systems. The goal is to produce at least 1 gigawatt of green electricity that is cheaper than electricity from coal. The costs should be some 20 to 50 per cent lower than those of conventional energy production using solar cells.