Google Admits Spike in Greenhouse Gas Emissions Due to AI, Hindering Climate Goals
Tech giant Google has released its latest environmental report, revealing a significant increase in greenhouse gas emissions over the past five years. The company cited the growing demands for artificial intelligence (AI) as the main contributor to this spike, putting a strain on its data centres worldwide.
According to the report, Google’s emissions have risen by 48% since 2015, with AI systems requiring high levels of computational power. This has put pressure on the company’s data centres, making it challenging for Google to reduce its emissions, especially as it continues to build new infrastructure.
Earlier this year, Google announced a £788m investment in the UK to establish a new data centre, in response to the increasing demand for AI. However, this comes as the company’s self-set target of achieving net zero emissions by the end of the decade draws closer.
The impact of AI on climate change has been a growing concern, as its adoption continues to grow. According to a recent study by the International Energy Agency, the electricity used by data centres could double between 2022 and 2026.
While Google’s data centres in Europe and the Americas largely rely on carbon-free energy sources, this is not always the case for sites in the Middle East, Asia, and Australia. The company acknowledges this and states that it is actively working towards addressing these challenges. However, some initiatives aimed at reducing emissions may not yield immediate results.
The report states, “While we have made progress in advancing clean energy on many of the grids where we operate, there are still some hard-to-decarbonise regions, like Asia-Pacific, where carbon-free energy is not readily available. Additionally, there is often a longer lead time between initial investments in clean energy projects and the resulting reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.”
Google believes that AI has the potential to help the world reach key climate targets and even improve weather forecasting, a sentiment shared by Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates. However, Lisa Sachs from the Columbia Center on Sustainable Investment believes that Google must do more to collaborate with clean energy firms and invest in the electrical grid.
Sachs says, “The reality is that we are far behind what we could already be doing now with the technology and resources we have in terms of advancing the transition.” She also emphasizes the need for rigorous conversations to ensure that the situation does not worsen before it starts to improve.
Amanda Smith, senior scientist at the climate non-profit Project Drawdown, adds that AI should be used responsibly, only when the resulting energy consumption benefits society.
Google’s admission of its increased emissions highlights the need for companies to prioritize sustainable practices in the face of growing technological demands. As the company continues to work towards its net zero emissions goal, it will be crucial for it to collaborate with other organizations and invest in clean energy solutions to mitigate its environmental impact.
