Amazon has released its annual sustainability report indicating a 6% increase in carbon emissions in 2024, ending a three-year lower trend.
Surge in Carbon Emissions
Amazon reported emissions of 68.25 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent for 2024. This increase marks a reversal after three years of declining emissions.
Impact of AI Technologies
The rise in emissions is directly tied to increased data center construction to meet the growing demand for artificial intelligence (AI) technologies. These sites consume significant amounts of energy and raw materials, thus contributing to a larger carbon footprint. The use of large AI models necessitates vast computational resources, leading to extravagant electricity consumption.
Amazon's Sustainability Strategy
Despite its pledge to achieve net-zero emissions by 2040 and efforts to increase its share of renewable energy, Amazon is struggling to keep pace with rising energy demands from AI technologies. The company is also entering contracts for carbon-free nuclear power for future operations, highlighting the growing divide between energy demand and clean energy supply.
Amazon continues to pursue sustainability, yet the increase in carbon emissions raises questions about how the company will balance innovation with environmental responsibility.
