UN Report Highlights AI and Data Centers' Environmental Impact Comparable to Nations
A report from the United Nations University has revealed that the environmental footprint of data centers, driven by the increasing use of artificial intelligence (AI), is comparable to some of the world's largest countries. In 2025, global data centers consumed 448 trillion watt-hours of electricity, surpassing the energy use of all but ten countries. This consumption resulted in approximately 208 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions, equivalent to the emissions of Argentina. The report predicts that by 2030, data centers will account for nearly 3% of the world's electricity use, with AI contributing to 40% of this energy demand. The study highlights the significant water usage required for cooling these centers, which is expected to double in the next four years.