“Google phone” may dilute the company’s promise of carbon neutrality

Google committed to carbon neutrality back in 2007, but that’s prior to an overt entry into the mobile phone hardware business through a partnership with someone like HTC. The Nexus One, what many are referring to as the “Google phone”, changes the game a bit because previously Google took into account “. . . purchased electricity, employee commuting, business travel, construction, and server manufacturing” in calculating its carbon footprint.

Add a tight partnership with a mobile device manufacturer to that list and Google’s carbon output is sure to skyrocket. The search giant has committed to re-evaluating its carbon footprint every year and it will be interesting to see how it accommodates the new volume. Other companies already in the mobile space are taking differing approaches to the problem.

Sprint is experimenting with devices like the Samsung Reclaim that use recycled and recyclable materials while reducing the amount of packaging, and it also provides a drop off point for old phones to keep them out of the landfill. Verizon doing things like reducing the heat generated by its network of computer chips and circuit boards, digging up decommissioned network lines,  and using hybrid vehicles in its fleet.

The bottom line? Neither Sprint nor Verizon has dedicated itself to carbon neutrality like Google. So in addition to the Nexus One’s tight integration with Android OS through Google’s 100% oversight, and the possibility of it being a contract-free device, Google has a green endorsement giving the Nexus One a lift.

Word of mouth and putting actions before words have served Google well in the past, and despite its deep market share in the online advertising space the company has very little experience advertising itself. Given the frenetic level of buzz flitting back and forth about the Nexus One, that may not be necessary but carriers like Sprint and Verizon have a lot of experience marketing new phones.

Hopefully Google will adjust to maintain its commitment to carbon neutrality while pumping out a killer “Google phone” device that makes information from the net even more instantly accessible and interactive.

Image source (animation ported onto Moto Droid and starts at :31) :