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Experts are raising alarms about the increasing energy demands of artificial intelligence (AI) and its potential impact on global sustainability efforts.
As AI technologies proliferate, their reliance on energy-intensive hardware, data storage, and computational power has surged. This growth is adding to the strain on already limited energy resources and contributing to rising greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
These concerns were highlighted in the Greening Digital Companies 2024 report, released on Monday. The report evaluated the energy consumption and GHG emissions of 200 leading digital companies worldwide.
According to the findings, of the 200 companies assessed, 148 reported electricity consumption amounting to 518 terawatt-hours in 2022—representing about 1.9% of global energy consumption. The top 10 energy-consuming companies, primarily based in East Asia and the United States, accounted for 51% of the total, a 9% increase compared to 2021.
Cosmas Luckyson Zavazava, Director of Development at the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), stressed the need for the tech industry to take urgent steps to address its environmental impact. He remarked, “It’s increasingly critical for industry players to monitor and reduce their greenhouse gas emissions and energy consumption. The effects of GHG emissions, such as extreme weather events and rising sea levels, are becoming more evident. Left unchecked, climate change could reverse decades of development progress.”
The report calls on the tech industry to take responsibility for its emissions and to help establish standards that align with global climate targets. It also suggests that governments can play a vital role by supporting the tech sector’s efforts to balance innovation with sustainability.
ITU Secretary-General, Doreen Bogdan-Martin, highlighted the importance of the digital industry in leading the green transition. “For a successful green transition, digital companies must drive change and lead by example. This report offers valuable insights into how we can maximize the potential of digital technology to promote sustainability in the face of climate change.”
She emphasized that the report’s findings will be central to discussions at the upcoming Green Digital Action meeting, which will take place during COP29’s landmark Digitalisation Day.
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