Datacentres drive up big tech's carbon emissions to a third of those of France
theguardian.com
July 12, 2026
3 min read
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47/100
Summary
Microsoft, Amazon, and Google emitted 119 million metric tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent in the financial year ending March 2026, a nearly 20% increase from the previous year's 101 million metric tonnes. Their combined emissions now represent about a third of France's total carbon emissions.
Key Takeaways
- Microsoft, Amazon, and Google emitted 119 million metric tonnes of CO₂ equivalent in the financial year ending March 2026, a nearly 20% increase from the previous year.
- The increase in carbon emissions is primarily driven by the construction of datacentres to support the growing demand for cloud services and AI technologies.
- The three companies are projected to spend $765 billion in 2026 on building AI datacentres globally.
- Microsoft, Google, and Amazon aim to achieve net zero emissions by 2030 and 2040, despite the recent increases in their carbon footprints.
Community Sentiment
Positives
- The potential for AI to drive a transition to green energy is seen as a silver lining by some commenters, suggesting a brighter future despite current emissions.
- There's a belief that datacenters could contribute to innovative solutions for carbon neutrality, indicating optimism about technological advancements.
Concerns
- The rapid rise of datacenters consuming 23% of Ireland's electricity is alarming, highlighting the unsustainable growth in energy demand.
- Skepticism surrounds the feasibility of claims about carbon neutrality, with some commenters labeling these goals as unrealistic or merely idealistic.
- Concerns about the actual emissions from datacenters are raised, especially with the growing number of on-site gas turbines contributing to their carbon footprint.
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