Kate Brandt
CSO, Google
Impact creators and influencers of Sustainability are helping the world spread awareness, galvanise interest and move the needle on social impact created in the community. They have allowed the message of sustainability to spread far and wide, resonating with audiences and encouraging conscious consumption, careful lifestyle practices that are not damaging to the environment and a move towards conscious living at home, in the workspaces, in the community and as responsible inhabitants of the planet.
Sustainability trailblazer Kate Brandt is an authority on government action and corporate plans
Recipient of the Lifetime of Achievement accolade, Kate Brandt, grew up surrounded by nature. Today she devotes her professional life to preserving forests, streams, and natural wonders of her childhood.
“I had this early realisation of how important it is to preserve the special places we have left.” says Brandt
She has worked as Senior Advisor at the Department of Energy, Director for Energy and Environment in the White House Office of Presidential Personnel, and Energy Advisor to the Secretary of the Navy, in the past
At 24, Brandt knew she has to keep focussing on the impact she wanted to create. At 24, she worked at the Pentagon and was the only woman and the only person under 50.
“I was excited about how I could drive the change I want to see.” she says
Brandt became the first Federal Chief Sustainability Officer in 2014, responsible for annual spend of around US$445 billion, and charged with driving sustainability initiatives across 360,000 buildings and 650,000 vehicles.
In 2022, Google’s energy consumption reached 22.29 terawatt hours – up 75% compared to 2019. For six consecutive years under Brandt’s watch, Google has sourced 100% of its energy from renewables.
Kate is the recipient of the Distinguished Public Service Award, the highest award the U.S. Navy can give to a civilian, for her work helping the Navy go green. Fortune Magazine named Kate to their 40 Under 40 list in 2021 and Outside Magazine also named her, in honor of the magazine’s 40-year anniversary, as one of 40 women who has made the biggest impact on our world.
Kate serves on the boards of BSR, Restor, and the Corporate Eco Forum.
Connect with Kate: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katebrandt/
