Google’s Carbon Emissions Jump by 48% Since 2019: The Impact of AI on the Environment
In its latest environmental report, Google has revealed that its carbon emissions have increased by a staggering 48% since 2019. The report, which was released in 2025, also highlighted a 13% jump in carbon emissions in 2024 alone. This significant increase has raised concerns about the environmental impact of the tech giant’s operations, particularly in the context of its growing reliance on artificial intelligence (AI).
According to the report, the main drivers of this increase in carbon emissions are the growing demand for data centers and the associated “supply chain emissions”. Data centers now represent 25% of Google’s total energy consumption, which is a significant portion of its overall energy usage.
The impact of AI on the environment is a topic that has gained attention in recent years, as more companies are investing in AI technologies and the demand for data processing and storage continues to grow. While AI has the potential to bring about significant benefits, such as increased efficiency and productivity, it also has a significant environmental footprint.
The increasing reliance on data centers is a major concern, as they require large amounts of energy to power the servers and cooling systems needed to process and store data. The construction of new data centers also requires significant amounts of resources, including materials, labor, and energy.
In addition to the environmental impact of data centers, the supply chain emissions associated with the production and transportation of hardware and equipment are also a significant contributor to Google’s carbon emissions. The report highlights the need for the company to focus on reducing these emissions, particularly in the context of its growing reliance on AI.
To mitigate the environmental impact of its operations, Google has committed to powering 100% of its operations with renewable energy by 2025. This goal is part of the company’s broader sustainability strategy, which aims to reduce its carbon footprint and promote sustainability in its operations and supply chain.
The company is also exploring new technologies and innovations that can help reduce its environmental impact. For example, Google is working on developing more energy-efficient data centers and exploring the use of artificial intelligence to optimize energy usage.
In addition to these efforts, Google is also partnering with other companies and organizations to promote sustainability and reduce carbon emissions. The company is a member of the Renewable Energy Buyers Alliance, which aims to promote the adoption of renewable energy in the tech industry.
The environmental report also highlights Google’s efforts to reduce waste and increase recycling in its operations. The company has set a goal of reducing its waste by 50% by 2025, and is working to increase recycling rates and reduce the amount of electronic waste generated by its operations.
In conclusion, Google’s carbon emissions have jumped by 48% since 2019, with a 13% increase in 2024 alone. The growing demand for data centers and supply chain emissions are the main drivers of this increase, and it highlights the need for the company to focus on reducing its environmental impact. While AI has the potential to bring about significant benefits, it also has a significant environmental footprint, and it is essential for companies like Google to take steps to mitigate this impact.
Source:
https://blog.google/outreach-initiatives/sustainability/environmental-report-2025/
