On Tuesday, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres urged artificial intelligence (AI) companies to disclose their carbon emissions, water usage, and land utilization during an address at London Climate Action Week. Guterres introduced the AI Environmental Transparency Initiative, stressing that AI firms should measure and communicate the environmental impact of their operations, particularly as data centers that support AI technology continue to proliferate.
In his remarks, Guterres emphasized the necessity of transparency within the industry, stating that AI companies should commit to utilizing renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar, to power their facilities by 2030. He articulated the urgency of the situation with the phrase, "No more hidden costs," highlighting the importance of acknowledging the environmental consequences associated with AI development.
The demand for AI technology has been climbing, creating challenges for tech companies striving to meet their renewable energy commitments. Many major tech companies, including Amazon and Google, have pledged to transition to cleaner energy sources, with some targeting completion by 2030. However, the rapid expansion of AI applications has led to increased greenhouse gas emissions, driven by reliance on fossil fuels. Currently, coal accounts for approximately 30% of the electricity consumed by data centers worldwide, while renewables provide about 27%. Projections indicate that this renewable supply will only meet approximately half of the immediate demand over the next five years.
Guterres highlighted the paradoxical nature of AI's growth; while it has been praised for its potential in accelerating climate solutions—such as optimizing energy efficiency and reducing pollution—it also poses significant environmental challenges. According to a recent UN report, the energy and water demands associated with AI are expected to double in four years. Data centers that power AI are projected to consume nearly 3% of the world’s electricity by 2030, up from 1.5% in 2025.
Guterres has continually warned of the urgency required for climate action and is set to convene leaders for the annual Conference of Parties in Turkey. He reiterated the importance of collective global efforts to limit warming to below 1.5 degrees Celsius, as agreed upon in the 2015 Paris Agreement. Recent observations noted that the average global temperature exceeded this threshold for the first time ever last year.
In his address, Guterres called for all major emitters to hasten their climate actions and for every country to exceed its commitments. He also pointed to the need for cutting methane emissions, a potent greenhouse gas, and reducing reliance on fossil fuels. Despite such urgent calls for action, he acknowledged the progress seen worldwide in renewable energy, noting that demand for clean power—primarily from solar and wind sources—outpaced overall global electricity consumption growth in the previous year.
The share of renewable energy sources in the electricity mix has surpassed one-third for the first time in modern history, while coal's contribution has dipped below one-third of global generation. China remains the leading force in the transition to clean energy, and in Europe, there is a notable decline in fossil fuel generation. However, in contrast, the U.S. has embraced fossil fuel sources under recent policies, which has provoked criticisms amid a global energy crisis exacerbated by geopolitical tensions.
Guterres characterized the current situation as "A Tale of Two Crises,” likening it to Charles Dickens' novel “A Tale of Two Cities.” He pointed out that while climate impacts are escalating and fossil fuel dependency poses critical risks, a revolution in renewable energy is already underway, which offers hope for the future.
