In its 2024 environmental report, Google revealed that its emissions surged nearly 50 percent compared to 2019, marking a notable setback in the company’s goal to achieve net-zero emissions by 2030. The study also showed that Google’s emissions increased 13 percent year over year in 2023.
Drivers of emissions spike
Google attributed the emissions spike to an increase in data center energy consumption and supply chain emissions driven by rapid advancements in and demand for artificial intelligence (AI). The report noted that the company’s total data center electricity consumption grew 17 percent in 2023.
Impact of AI on electricity demand
The impact of AI on electricity demand is well documented. Electricity demand is forecast to grow as much as 20 percent by 2030, with AI data centers alone expected to add about 323 terawatt hours of electricity demand in the U.S..
Challenges of renewable implementation
While renewables will likely play an important role in meeting AI energy demands, analysts say that immediate implementation is challenging due to factors such as the time required to build the power lines that transport resources to the data centers, said Wells Fargo Analyst Roger Read.
Google’s commitment to mitigation
Google stated in the report that its data centers are 1.8 times as energy efficient as a typical data center. The company added that it remains committed to mitigating the environmental impact of AI through model optimization, efficient infrastructure, and emissions reductions.
Other tech companies facing similar challenges
Google is not the only major tech company facing increased emissions due to AI demand. Microsoft reported in May that its total carbon emissions rose nearly 30 percent since 2020, primarily due to the construction of data centers.
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