It’s a big sustainability week for Google. The technology company announced November 5th that it would create a new startup program focused on sustainability products.

Kate Brandt, Google’s Sustainability Officer, announced at a tech conference that the company would help create a community of sustainability investors, a notoriously difficult niche of startups. The Google For Startups Accelerator will help with startups focused on the UN Sustainable Development Goals, according to a blog posted by Google. Some of the goals include gender equality, good health, clean water and sanitation, affordable and clean energy, responsible consumption and production and sustainable cities and communities.

Applications will be open in the coming weeks and the company will select from a crop of applicants from Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Eight to ten startups will be chosen for the six-month accelerator program. The second cohort will be chosen later in 2020.

The sustainability angle will be part of the broader Google for Startups platform, which provides accepted start-ups into Google’s network of people, ideas and technologies. Google doesn’t automatically say they will invest in these companies, but they will introduce them to investors, help them with problems and provide valuable press for each one.

Google has been in the news recently for a variety of sustainability reasons. The company recently published the Environmental Insights Explorer to help cities calculate carbon emissions. They pledged to reduce plastic and increase recycled materials starting with their Nest products in October. And on November 4,  company employees wrote an open letter to the CFO asking for additional Climate change action.

The United Nation recently released a report warning countries about the dangers of climate change and has urged people to eat more plant-based as a way to curb it. We highly recommend downloading the Food Monster App on iTunes — with over 15,000 delicious recipes it is the largest meatless, plant-based, vegan and allergy-friendly recipe resource to help reduce your environmental footprint, save animals and get healthy! And, while you are at it, we encourage you to also learn about the environmental and health benefits of a plant-based diet. 

Read our coverage on the intersection of Climate change and politics, including why Climate change is a top priority for young voters, what the Green New Deal is and why we should care, have a quick look at the 2020 democratic presidential candidates’ current plans on climate change. 

For more Animal, Earth, Life, Vegan Food, Health, and Recipe content published daily, subscribe to the One Green Planet Newsletter! 

Lastly, being publicly-funded gives us a greater chance to continue providing you with high quality content. Please consider supporting us by donating!