Amazon leads the ranking with a 182% increase in indirect emissions between 2020 and 2023. Microsoft ranks second with a 155% rise, followed by Meta with 145%.
Artificial intelligence emissions from Big Tech up 150% in three years
Indirect emissions tied to artificial intelligence surged by 150% between 2020 and 2023 among four of the world’s largest tech companies. Amazon, Microsoft, Alphabet, and Meta saw their average indirect emissions rise dramatically over the three-year span, according to a new report from the United Nations’ International Telecommunication Union (ITU).
There are still no legal requirements for companies to report emissions or energy use specifically linked to AI. As a result, it’s difficult to quantify the exact footprint of artificial intelligence. Still, company-disclosed data reveals a steep rise in indirect emissions for major tech firms focused on AI. The sharp increase is largely driven by the energy demands of large-scale data centers.
AI’s growing energy footprint
The ITU evaluated greenhouse gas emissions from 200 of the world’s leading digital companies between 2020 and 2023. Amazon topped the list with a 182% increase in indirect emissions. Microsoft followed with a 155% rise, Meta with 145%, and Alphabet with 138%.
The report also found that data center energy use has grown by an average of 12% annually since 2017, four times faster than the global energy supply.
“Big tech companies have the tools and political influence to lead a global transition, but progress must be measured by action, not just ambition,” said Lourdes O. Montenegro, director of digitalization research at the nonprofit World Benchmarking Alliance. “This report sends a strong message to the international community: while many companies are making progress, emissions are still climbing.”
Some good news for the digital sector
The ITU report also highlighted a few positive developments. Out of the 200 companies analyzed, 23 operated entirely on renewable energy in 2023, up from 16 in 2022.
Forty-nine companies voluntarily published climate reports last year, reflecting a growing commitment to transparency. Meanwhile, the number of firms setting targets for indirect emissions from supply chains and product usage climbed to 110 in 2023.
Read the full ITU report here
