The environmental impact of technology continues to rise, with Google as a prime example. According to its latest environmental report, the company’s greenhouse gas emissions reached 14.3 million tons of CO₂, a 13% increase from last year and a 48% rise compared to 2019.

This growth is mainly due to intensive use of Artificial Intelligence in its products and the high energy consumption of its data centers. 

In 2021, Google committed to achieving “net-zero emissions” by 2030. However, the increasing demand for Artificial Intelligence has significantly boosted electricity consumption, making it harder to meet climate targets. Data centers, large facilities hosting information from applications, web services, and AI tools, require high-voltage transmission lines and constant cooling, explaining much of the emissions growth. 

The report acknowledges the complexity of reaching net-zero goals. “Our approach will continue evolving and will require navigating major uncertainties, such as the future environmental impact of Artificial Intelligence, which is complex and hard to predict,” the document states. Transitioning to clean energy will be crucial to mitigate effects on climate change. 

Is Google solely to blame?

This rise in AI-related emissions is not exclusive to Google. Microsoft reported a 29% increase in emissions since 2020 due to its AI investments. Generative AI, which produces digital content from user data, demands enormous resources, and the technology’s expansion requires more storage centers, increasing energy needs. 

Studies from Bloomberg and SemiAnalysis indicate that by 2030, data centers could consume up to 4.5% of global energy generation. The International Energy Agency projects that total electricity demand from these centers could match Japan’s entire consumption by 2026. 

These figures make it clear that widespread Artificial Intelligence adoption comes at a significant environmental cost. To meet climate change commitments, Google and other tech companies must balance innovation with energy efficiency and renewable energy investments, seeking sustainable solutions that allow AI development without compromising the planet.