AI data center energy use should not overshadow climate goals

Experts are warning that the rising electricity consumption of data centers dedicated to artificial intelligence should not overshadow larger drivers of climate change. Aniket Shah, director of sustainability and energy transition strategy at Jefferies, stated that the growth in data center demand is not currently among the top five drivers of climate change.

According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), data centers are projected to account for only 3 percent of global electricity demand by 2030. Furthermore, total emissions from all data centers are expected to constitute approximately 2 percent of global energy sector emissions by 2035.

While the global impact may be relatively small, experts note that rapid growth can strain local power grids and increase demand for new capacity. Former US Vice President Al Gore noted that while concerns regarding AI energy use are understandable, other activities such as air conditioning and landfill emissions have a significantly larger impact on energy consumption and emissions.