Google’s emissions climb nearly 50% in five years due to AI energy demand
How much water could AI use by 2027 compared to England's consumption?
AI could use up to 6.6 billion cubic meters of water by 2027, which is nearly two-thirds of England's annual consumption. This highlights the significant water footprint of AI and the potential strain it may place on already scarce water resources.
What is Google's emission increase percentage over five years?
Google's greenhouse gas emissions have surged 48% over the past five years, primarily due to the expansion of data centers that power its AI tools. The company's annual environmental report revealed that its emissions in 2023 rose 13% compared to the previous year, reaching 14.3 million metric tons of carbon equivalent. This increase poses a challenge to Google's goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2030.
What caused Google's recent surge in emissions?
Google's recent surge in emissions is primarily caused by increased energy consumption at its data centers and supply chain emissions, driven by rapid advancements in and demand for artificial intelligence (AI). The company's total data center electricity consumption grew 17% in 2023, and AI is expected to add about 323 terawatt hours of electricity demand in the U.S. by 2030.