Google’s greenhouse gas emissions surged by 48% from 2019 to 2023, driven largely by the escalating energy demands of its data centers, particularly due to the exponential growth of artificial intelligence (AI), according to the company’s latest environmental report.
The tech giant attributed the significant increase in emissions to the heightened energy requirements associated with AI-powered services, which consume considerably more electricity than traditional online activities. Google, which aims to achieve net zero emissions by 2030, acknowledged the challenges of reducing emissions as AI integration deepens.
In its 2024 Environmental Report, Google highlighted that AI computations, such as those used in generative AI systems, can consume up to 33 times more energy than machines running task-specific software. This intensification in energy use underscores the environmental impact of AI technologies.
Despite these challenges, Google noted regional disparities in the carbon footprint of its data centers. Facilities in Europe and the Americas predominantly source their energy from carbon-free sources, whereas those in the Middle East, Asia, and Australia rely more on carbon-intensive energy sources. Overall, approximately two-thirds of Google’s energy globally comes from carbon-free sources.
Professor Tom Jackson from Loughborough University emphasized the significant energy consumption of data storage and the need to address “dark data,” which refers to unused or rarely accessed data that still consumes energy. He praised Google’s commitment to achieving net zero emissions by 2030 while cautioning that meeting this goal will be a formidable task.
The growing energy and water usage associated with AI technologies have raised concerns globally. The UK’s National Grid predicts a six-fold increase in demand over the next decade due to AI and quantum computing advancements. Meanwhile, Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates recently suggested that AI could increase electricity demand modestly, asserting that it could also accelerate efficiencies that reduce overall energy consumption.
As the debate over AI’s environmental impact continues, tech companies like Google face mounting pressure to innovate sustainably while managing the escalating demands of digital infrastructure.