AI Expansion Drives Google Amazon Emissions Sharply Higher

WASHINGTON: (Web Desk) – Google and Amazon have reported significant increases in greenhouse gas emissions, as the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence infrastructure adds pressure to their climate commitments.

Google’s latest environmental report showed its total emissions have risen 82 percent since 2019, including an increase of more than 18 percent last year. The company has pledged to cut emissions by half by 2030, but says its AI infrastructure expansion is moving faster than electricity grids are shifting towards cleaner energy.

Amazon’s emissions have increased 58 percent since 2019 and more than 16 percent over the past year, despite its target of achieving carbon neutrality by 2040. The company said growing demand for AI services could slow progress towards its environmental goals.

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Both companies reported that emissions are now rising faster than their revenue, reflecting the heavy energy and resource demands of new data centres, chip production and cloud computing operations. Google emitted 18.8 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent last year, while Amazon reported emissions of 80.85 million tonnes.

A recent United Nations report said global data centres consume more electricity than all but 10 countries, with AI expected to become one of the world’s largest energy users by 2030. UN Secretary-General António Guterres has urged major AI companies to disclose their environmental impact and power data centres with renewable energy by 2030.

Google and Amazon say they are increasing investment in clean electricity, renewable energy, nuclear power and energy-efficient technologies, but the AI boom continues to challenge their efforts to meet climate targets.