AIs soaring power demands push Amazons emissions higher

Amazon's carbon emissions increased by 6% in 2024, reversing a three-year downward trend, reaching 68.25 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent. This rise is attributed to the expansion of data centers to support growing demand for AI technologies, which consume significant energy and materials. While Amazon aims for net-zero carbon emissions by 2040, its emissions have increased by a third in the last five years. Electricity consumption is also expected to rise by 1% in 2024, marking the first increase since 2019. Despite investments in renewable energy, Amazon struggles to keep pace with AI's energy demands, leading to reliance on less environmentally friendly power sources in some areas. The company is exploring carbon-free nuclear power, but faces challenges in balancing innovation with sustainability. There are increasing calls for transparency and faster adoption of renewable energy to curb emissions, as Amazon's AI investments put its climate goals at risk.