A recent report from the United Nations’ International Telecommunication Union (ITU) shows that between 2020 and 2023, major technology companies like Amazon, Microsoft, Google’s parent Alphabet, and Meta saw their indirect carbon emissions — mainly from the electricity used in data centers powering AI systems — increase by an average of 150%. Amazon experienced the steepest rise at 182%, with Microsoft up 155%, Meta 145%, and Alphabet 138%. The ITU warns that if this trend continues, AI-related emissions could reach as high as 102.6 million tons of CO₂ annually, exceeding the electricity consumption of some entire countries.
Despite commitments to carbon neutrality, these tech firms face growing challenges as their AI infrastructure demands more energy. Critics point out that many companies rely heavily on carbon offset programs and renewable energy certificates, which may mask the real environmental impact, especially when fossil fuels are still part of their energy mix. For example, Microsoft’s emissions have increased by about 30% since 2020, and Google’s have risen nearly 50% over the past five years due to AI expansion. The ITU report highlights the urgent need for clearer transparency and stronger strategies to reduce the environmental footprint of rapidly growing AI technologies. More