Tech and AI giants’ CO2 emissions soar as their promises unravel

Artificial intelligence may one day help optimize electricity use or identify new energy sources. For now, however, environmental concerns are mounting as the technology industry’s energy demand grows and its climate promises come under pressure.

The International Telecommunication Union published a 134-page study on Wednesday with the World Benchmarking Alliance. It examined the world’s 200 largest technology companies, although the study did not name them. Of the 163 companies that supplied data, total electricity consumption reached 494 terawatt-hours in 2024.

That amount represented 1.7% of global electricity consumption, and the ITU warned that the real figure was probably higher. Consumption was also heavily concentrated: 54% came from only 10 companies. The study highlighted the scale of the sector’s footprint while pointing to gaps in the measures companies use to track and limit their emissions.

The study appeared alongside several major announcements from Silicon Valley during the week. Those announcements included plans for new gas-fired power plants in the United States and indications that artificial intelligence could drive greater oil extraction. Together, the developments have sharpened the contrast between the industry’s long-term promises and its current environmental impact.