The United Nations’ digital agency has reported a significant rise in carbon emissions from the world’s leading tech companies. Between 2020 and 2023, these companies saw their operational emissions increase by an average of 150 percent. This surge is largely driven by growing investments in artificial intelligence (AI) and data centers, which have led to a higher demand for electricity globally.
In particular, Amazon’s emissions skyrocketed by 182 percent during this period. Microsoft followed closely with a 155 percent increase, while Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, saw a 145 percent rise. Alphabet, Google’s parent company, experienced a 138 percent increase in emissions, according to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).
The data reflects emissions from both the companies’ direct operations and the energy they purchase. This information was part of a recent ITU report that assessed the greenhouse gas emissions of the top 200 digital companies from 2020 to 2023. The ITU has linked this dramatic increase to recent advancements in AI and the growing demand for digital services, such as cloud computing.
Doreen Bogdan-Martin, who leads the ITU, noted that while these technological advancements are impressive, they come with environmental costs. “Advances in digital innovation – especially AI – are driving up energy consumption and global emissions,” she said.
The report warns that if left unaddressed, emissions from leading AI systems could reach 102.6 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent per year. Currently, there are no standards requiring companies to disclose their AI-related emissions, making it hard to fully understand the impact of AI on energy use.
The boom in AI and cloud computing has also led to a notable increase in electricity demand from data centers, which are essential for powering digital services. Since 2017, electricity consumption by data centers has grown by 12 percent annually. In 2024, these centers consumed an estimated 415 terawatt-hours (TWh) of electricity, amounting to about 1.5 percent of global power demand. If this trend continues, consumption could reach 945 TWh by 2030, surpassing Japan’s total annual electricity use.
The report highlighted that a small number of companies are responsible for a significant portion of this demand. Just ten companies, including China Mobile, Amazon, and Samsung Electronics, accounted for over half of the electricity demand in 2023.
Overall, the emissions data from 166 of the 200 companies surveyed showed that they collectively emitted 297 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent in 2023. This figure is comparable to the combined emissions of Argentina, Bolivia, and Chile. As the tech industry continues to grow, the challenge of balancing innovation with environmental responsibility becomes increasingly urgent.